Page 5 – The Pulse of Football

May

2025

Premier League Preview: The penultimate round

It is the penultimate weekend of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. We already know that Liverpool are champions, having secured the title back in April with a 5-1 win over Spurs. We know the three teams who will be playing in the Championship next term, with Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton all returning to England’s second tier. What we don’t know, though, is who will be playing Champions League football next season.

By Sam McGuire

With two games left to play, six teams are battling it out for four places. So, here’s a look at the games to keep an eye on this weekend across Matchday 37.

Europa League focus

Aston Villa have their eyes firmly fixed on a Champions League place. They’ll be hoping to bolster their hopes of a top five finish this Friday against Spurs. Now, this isn’t to say Ange Postecoglou’s side won’t be playing for a win, but Tottenham have the Europa League final next week, a game that will dominate their thinking.

Spurs have nothing to play for in the Premier League. They’re safe from relegation and they can’t really move up the table. Would it be a huge surprise if they name a weakened XI at Villa Park so as to protect players ahead of the final? It would make sense. Tottenham have a horrible away record this season with 17 points from 18 games. They’re bottom of the form table with one point from their last five outings too.

It should be a routine win for Villa. It has to be three points for Unai Emery’s men if they’re to stand a chance of finishing in a Champions League place.

Villa head into this game in good form too. They’re second in the form table with Manchester City (13) being the only team to have taken more points than them (12) in the last five games. The Villans have kept clean sheets in successive matches heading into this game and, to top it off, they have lost just once at Villa Park all season.

A walk in the park for Chelsea?

Another Friday night match sees Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Again, this sees a side chasing Champions League football up against a team fully focused on their upcoming Europa League final. And again, a win should be a formality for Enzo Maresca’s side.

Yes, they lost 2-0 to Newcastle United last time out but they did beat the recently crowned champions just a week prior to that. Chelsea have had good results at Stamford Bridge this term, losing just twice. Maresca’s side could, with a win, move, momentarily at least, up to fourth in the table.

United, like Spurs, are fixated on the upcoming final. It is a route into the Champions League for them, an unlikely ending to a disappointing campaign. The expectation is that Ruben Amorim will name a weakened XI for the trip on Friday night. If this is the case, it should make for an even easier straightforward three points for those in blue.

A win that would heap pressure onto the other teams battling it out for a place in the top five this term.

Forest in freefall

Nottingham Forest have been in freefall recently, there’s no other way to dress it up. They’ve picked up just five points from five matches. This has seen them go from being a shoo-in for a Champions League finish to potentially missing out on Europe altogether.

At the time of writing, they are seventh in the table but just a point off the pace.

If results go against Nuno Espírito Santo’s side this weekend, they could head into the final game of the season with nothing to play for, finding themselves four points off the pace. It’d be a nightmare scenario considering just a couple of weeks ago, third place looked to be sewn up for Forest.

They need a win.

They’re up against a West Ham team with nothing to play for. But they’re a West Ham side who have drawn with Spurs and beaten Manchester United in their last two Premier League matches. This does make them a little dangerous.

They don’t need the win but players do need to perform if they’re to catch the eye of Graham Potter ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. Changes are expected this summer. These games are a chance to stake a claim in a new-look West Ham team.

The best of the rest

This is a big one. Arsenal host Newcastle United at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

A win for Mikel Arteta’s side guarantees them second place in the Premier League this season. It’d be the third time they’ve finished as runners-up and it should be viewed as a successful campaign, even if many had them down as title favourites.

A loss, however, would see them fall one point behind Newcastle with one game remaining.

In fact, a loss for the Gunners could see them finish the weekend level on points with Manchester City and just two points ahead of Chelsea and Aston Villa heading into the final weekend of the campaign.

It is a pressure they really didn’t need. Especially after being perceived to be in a title challenge for most of the season.

Arsenal aren’t in the best of form with just one win in their last five but they did come from two goals down at Anfield last weekend to claim a point. They may be down but there’s still some fight in this team.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

Sheffield United and Sunderland fans are busy prepping for the Playoff Final

The logistical abilities of the average football fan are unparalleled. Becoming semi-professional travel agents and battling with Britain’s creaking infrastructure, tens of thousands will descend upon our nation’s capital ready for the EFL play-off finals next weekend. They’ll have navigated bank holiday engineering works, rail replacement buses and have been packed into London Underground’s most sweltering of carriages. The blood, sweat, tears and cold hard cash will all be worth it though, if their dream of promotion comes true.

By Sanny Rudravajhala

I’ve just sorted my travel (train), accommodation (mate’s spare room) and tickets (press box) for all three finals and it’ll be a privilege to be at Wembley once again. And in the Championship, we’ve got the prospect of Sheffield United facing Sunderland for a place in the Premier League.

Ok, yes, I thought it would be the broadcasters’ dream tie of a Lampard-Wilder face-off, but Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland gave us just the sort of dramatic finale that we’ve come to expect in the EFL, in booking their place to face Sheffield United.

Leading 2-1 from the first leg, Ephron Mason-Clark’s second half volley left us level and then Haji Wright with the final touch of the 90 minutes, headed wide from point blank range. It was the archetypal ‘50p head header’ (imagine the corner of a pentagon heading a ball and it going off at a completely skewed angle), all before Dan Ballard was in the money at the other end, in the final moment of extra time to send the Stadium of Light crackers and break Coventry hearts.

“The finish was amazing. Absolutely amazing”, Michael Dunne from Roker Report tells me.

“The way the game was going, I think everyone was settled for penalties and despite us having a good bit of momentum going into the second half of extra time, you just never expect to score that late on. I was half looking at the corner, but half just mentally preparing myself for penalties, and then I was jumping for joy and running around the place. It was just one of those amazing moments that will go down in the history of Sunderland. The occasion, the finale and the man who scored the goal, Dan Ballard, who was probably our best player over the two legs. Everyone the next day since has been booking their flights, trains, tickets, accommodation, getting everything sorted, but it’s just great.”

For Sheffield United, it was much simpler. Bristol City were spirited but as soon as Keiffer Moore climbed head and shoulders above his defender to nod home and give them a 4-0 aggregate lead, the tie was effectively over, with Sheffield United underlining their quality with a 6-0 overall finish and allowing their supporters to focus on the final and getting over the line.

“I’ve seen my club fall foul of the playoffs every time we’ve ever been in it, so I’m obviously approaching Wembley with some trepidation”, says Sam Parry of The Pinch newsletter and podcast. “The semifinal was fairly straightforward, but I think it’s also important to add that in those two games against Bristol City and in the final two games of the season, we’ve posted some of our best expected goals (xG) numbers shifting into a 4-4-2 as we have all season. We come into this arguably as strong as we ever and, excluding Ollie Arblaster, have everyone available. So, I’m sort of a mixture of confidence in the team but apprehension about the task because it’s never going to be easy and these ties are often decided by a single goal. But really, we were third by such a big margin that we probably rightfully go in as favourites.”

The table has been thrown out of the window by now but just to go back to it, it is still incredible that Sheffield United didn’t go up automatically with 90 points, but even adding their deducted extra two for defaulting on payments to clubs, they still wouldn’t have made it and will arrive at Wembley as equals with Sunderland, despite the 14-point gap in the table.

A ‘season of two halves’ is how Michael describes Sunderland’s campaign. I picked out the draw with Burnley as their Sliding Doors ‘nexus-point’, where two late Wilson Isidor penalty misses felt like the beginning of the end of the automatic promotion hopes, and Michael says Regis Le Bris has evolved the team’s style to cope with the rigours of such a demanding season.

“From August until mid-February, we were fighting for the automatics but we were never really in the driving seat. But we were playing some really good football. We started the season off as a high press attacking team, where opponents weren’t even able to get out of their own box, never mind their own half, because we pressed up so high and scored. You just need to look at the Sheffield Wednesday game early in the season when we battered them for the first 45 minutes and were 3-0 up by half time. We were just brilliant. But gradually, we changed into more of a low defensive block, counter-attacking team. We have a lot of young players, we have the legs and we are fit but the tactics changed and we became a little bit less exciting to watch. We were still playing well, defending well and defending our box well but the February loss to Leeds at Elland Road ended our automatic chances and the season sort of petered out.”

Wilder in from the wilderness, Le Bris breezing in from across The Channel

For Sam and Sheffield United, he says Chris Wilder’s impact has been ‘huge’ but not without first taking a hit. He returned to Bramall Lane in December 2023 with his own reputation bruised from spells at Middlesbrough and Watford and was immediately fighting fires.

“We have to remember that Paul Heckingbottom was sacked and Chris Wilder was brought in to make a better fist of fighting relegation in the Premier League and ultimately spectacularly failed at that job. I don’t think it was one that he could have ever succeeded in, but he took it and talked about trying to keep us up and, ultimately, he failed.

*Sheffield United finished bottom of the Premier League last season*

“So, it has to be massively to his credit that he has got rid of a lot of players, churned almost an entire squad and turned that team around. I think it’s an incredibly tough thing to have achieved, especially with the general sense of depression with what had gone on the season before. It was painful to get battered four and five-nil every week, so to bring the positivity back and to be fighting amongst the automatic places for 90% of the season, I think is an incredible job.”

Whereas Wilder returned to a club where he’d already achieved two promotions, I’ll hold my hands up and say I didn’t know who Regis Le Bris when he arrived at Sunderland from Lorient last summer. Michael was similar but the Frenchman has also made his mark.

“He deserves so much credit. He was virtually a nobody coming from France. Last year we had loads of creative players and one big thing he did was adding two strikers. Eliezer Mayenda was out on loan and couldn’t get a game in Scotland at Hibernian and we bought in Isidor from Russia, which added to a squad full of talent. Le Bris has given the team a structure and a style of play. And now we have those strikers at the other end of the pitch that are capable of scoring goals. That’s unlike last year where it became completely disjointed after Tony Mowbray’s second season and then Michael Beale’s appointment, which just did not work at all. I think the club then took a step back and wanted to make sure they got someone who has worked with a lot of young players, knows how to defend and puts a playing structure into place. It’s suited the squad that we had, and I think it’s amazing that we have got to the playoff final.”

*Wilson vs. Mayenda stats comparison, Championship 2024/25*

Wembley, the Premier League and the 22 taking to the hallowed turf will have to wait though. Right now, it’s all about the 90,000 getting to North London from two great cities of The North.

Wilder and Le Bris may have their own meticulous planning but if you want to know the best place to eat, drink and stay around Wembley, just ask Michael, Sam or any Blade or Makem. It’s the side of football you never knew you needed to be an expert in, just don’t bring a bag bigger than the Wembley-stipulated one sheet of paper, unless that is, you’re living it up in the press box next weekend!

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

Nico Gonzalez: The natural successor to Rodri at Manchester City?

September 22, 2024. The day the music died. Well, not quite, but to the Manchester City faithful, their season hung on the precipice.

By Ross Kilvington

The club drew 2-2 with Arsenal, but that wasn’t the reason why their season looked on the brink of collapse. No, it was the ACL injury suffered by Rodri which was sure to end City’s pursuit of a record-extending fifth Premier League title in a row.

After a collision with Thomas Partey, the Spaniard limped out of the game and that was the last time he was seen on the pitch. Pep Guardiola stated afterwards that “this season is over [for him].”

He was arguably the club’s most influential player and they looked like a different team in the months after. Indeed, between November and March, the Etihad side won just ten of their 27 fixtures in all competitions.

With league title ambitions gone in a puff of smoke, plus an early exit in the Champions League, Guardiola needed to get back to the drawing board. And fast.

A host of signings were made during the winter transfer window. Omar Marmoush looks the part, while Vitor Reis is a centre-back who has a bright future ahead of him.

Could the signing of Nico González from Porto, however, be Guardiola’s most important in recent years? Especially given how much the club have missed someone like Rodri at the heart of their midfield.

Dare I say it, but the winter arrival might just be the natural successor to the 28-year-old in Manchester.

Nico González was made in Barcelona

Like Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets before him, González emerged through the famed La Masia academy at Barcelona with hopes of replicating the feats of this great triumvirate.

Despite making his debut for the club during the 2021/22 season, making 37 appearances overall, González was loaned to Valencia for the following campaign.

He did establish himself as a solid and reliable midfielder, but it was clear that to fulfil his talents, a move away from Barcelona was needed.

Porto splashed out just £17m to secure his signature. a figure that, in due course, would turn into a splendid bargain.

González’s ability to contribute both defensively and going forward was soon demonstrated in Portugal. During his first league campaign, the Spaniard ranked in the top 9% for both duels won (136) and possession won in the final third (15) while also ranking in the top 7% for touches in the opposition box (60).

Not only was the former Barcelona player tenacious in his one-on-one battles, but he regularly pushed forward from a deep lying role to not only win the ball back in the final third, but to carry it into the penalty area.

As such, he was rewarded with two goals and three assists in all competitions for Porto last season.

This proved to be the catalyst for the first half of the current season with the Portuguese giants. A licence to bomb forwards and often out wide, allowed the 23-year-old to score seven times and chip in with five assists (all competitions).

*González’s early season Liga Portugal form*

These performances were a sure fire way to increase his rapidly growing reputation in Portugal.

With money to spend, Guardiola wanted to bring a midfielder in to compliment his squad. For £50m, González was soon a Man City player and this move looked like it could provide the platform for further development.

A successor to Rodri? The youngster could turn out to be even better than his compatriot if he continues on this upwards trajectory.

Nico González and Manchester City is a match made in heaven

The Spaniard certainly matches Rodri’s incredible physicality and excellent positional awareness, but the 23-year-old does seem to offer more dynamism in the final third of the pitch than his teammate.

It is no secret that City have struggled against teams playing with a low block this season. Marmoush has been an excellent signing in this regard, netting seven goals in 18 games.

Having someone like Gonáalez, however, who is able to time runs to perfection and provide support to the likes of the Egyptian and Erling Haaland, gives Guardiola a massive boost.

Raised the La Masia way, he certainly knows how to control play while scanning for an opening.

In the Premier League for City, the former Barcelona starlet makes 6.39 progressive passes and 6.67 passes into the final third per 90. These statistics rank him in the top 12% and 4% for those respective metrics.

Rodri took a while to properly settle in at City, before emerging as one of the club’s key players during their treble winning 2022/23 campaign.

González looks the part when he has featured under Guardiola since arriving in Manchester.

The manager is set to welcome back Rodri to the first-team fold in the next few weeks and hopefully he returns to full fitness before the 2025/26 season.

In González, City have the perfect long-term heir to the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner. That’s for certain.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow the FA Cup Final on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Aston Villa need a result against Spurs

Aston Villa continue their chase for a Champions League place against out-of-sorts Spurs on Friday night.

By Ian King

Villa on the up

Aston Villa arrive for this crucial match in good form. They’ve won seven of their last eight in the League, with the only blot on that copybook being a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City which required a stoppage-time winner to secure all three points. They’re sixth and two points off a Champions League place, with two games of the season left to play.

Spurs’ form is pretty close to the inverse of this. They’ve now won just one of their last ten in the Premier League, and that was against Southampton, more than a month ago. All Spurs eyes are on the Europa League at the moment, but they arrive for this match in 17th place in the Premier League, which is… sub-optimal.

History

Villa have conceded four goals on each of the last two occasions they’ve played Spurs in the League, including a 4-1 win in the reverse of this fixture back in September. But they had won the clubs’ three previous League meetings prior to this, while they also knocked them out of the FA Cup in the Fourth Round with a 2-1 win at Villa Park in February.

Key Players

Injuries have meant that Richarlison has made just 13 appearances for Spurs this season, and nine of them have come from the bench. With just four League goals to his name all season and rumours that he could be leaving once the end finally comes around, both he and Ange Postecoglou could do with a big performance from him in this match.

Aston Villa know that a failure win this match could mean the end of their chances of repeating this season’s Champions League adventure, and Ollie Watkins has been bang on form recently, scoring in the first minute in their 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle four weeks ago and scoring the winner in their last outing versus Bournemouth. Spurs’ brittle defence may provide fertile ground for him to improve on the 16 League goals he’s already scored this season.

*Watkins’ shot map, Premier League 2024/25*

Team News

The latest Spurs injury is Dejan Kulusevski, who will now be missing the remainder of this season alongside James Maddison, Radu Drăgușin and Lucas Bergvall. For Aston Villa, Jacob Ramsey is suspended after his sending off against Bournemouth, while Marcus Rashford is unlikely to start and Youri Tielemans missed the Bournemouth match and faces a fitness test before this one.

Prediction

It’s been a desperate season in the Premier League for Spurs, and there are few reasons to believe that they’ll improve for this trip to an in-form Aston Villa. They’re currently 17th, and finishing in this position would represent their worst top flight appearance since being relegated in 1977. Villa are playing well and have the huge incentive of keeping their Champions League hopes alive with a win. I can’t see past a comfortable home win, so I’ll go 3-0 Villa and for Spurs’ agony to continue unabated.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

The FA Cup Final: A Clash of Football Cultures

The Premier League might dominate the headlines, but the FA Cup still gets into our souls in a way nothing else can. It’s not about money. It’s not even about status. It’s about moments, real, historic moments that matter long after the fans have left the stadium.

By David Skilling

On Saturday, the cup lands at Wembley as Crystal Palace face Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup final. And unlike most cup finals in the Guardiola era, this one doesn’t feel like the odds are completely stacked in their favour.

City may have the medals, the squad depth, and the track record, but Palace didn’t sneak in through penalties or chaos. They’ve earned their place with confidence, structure and identity, beating Premier League opposition 3-0 in both the quarter finals (Fulham) and semi finals (Aston Villa). And that makes this final all the more compelling.

Crystal Palace aren’t tourists here. This is a club that’s been steadily building towards something more meaningful for years, and under Oliver Glasner, things have progressed.

Their semi-final performance against Aston Villa wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. Palace were sharp, brave, and clinical. Players like Eberechi Eze have added craft and confidence to a squad that’s no longer satisfied with safety and survival. And they’ve built a defensive foundation that includes the likes of Marc Guéhi, who can absorb pressure and play out from the back.

*Shot map and xG from Palace’s semifinal win*

Palace has a history of heartbreak in this competition. They took Manchester United to a replay in 1990. They pushed them again, to extra time in 2016. This time, it’s not about proving they belong. It’s about finishing the job.

And for the fans, the ones who’ve stood through relegation battles, financial chaos, and false dawns, this is a chance to see their club go from proud survivor to silverware winner. That matters.

Manchester City don’t lose many domestic finals, but they arrive at this one with a different energy.

For the first time in years, there’s no treble to chase or Champions League run, and that changes things. The aura’s still there, but the margin for glory has narrowed. This FA Cup final now stands as their last shot at a salvaging something from this season, and while that might not have been on our bingo cards back in August, it’s the reality for a club that measures success in silver.

Let’s not get it confused, though. City is still City. Erling Haaland remains unplayable when locked in. Phil Foden often delivers for the club in big moments. And they’ve got more quality on the bench than most clubs have in their starting lineups. But there’s a human element to this version of City. They’re still elite. Just not untouchable.

This final is about two Premier League clubs arriving at the same destination from very different directions.

Manchester City are the benchmark. They operate at scale, with elite infrastructure, world-class coaching, and a conveyor belt of talent. They haven’t just won trophies; they did it while redefining how the game is played in England.

Crystal Palace are something else entirely. A club built on smart decisions rather than bottomless resources. They’ve resisted the temptation to throw money at short-term fixes. Instead, they’ve backed players with personality and potential, and stuck with a philosophy that values growth over noise.

Both teams are here because of how they’ve built. One through dominance, the other through evolution. That’s what makes this final compelling. Not because it’s a fairytale. But because it’s football done two ways, and for 90 minutes, they meet on level ground.

Palace and City have never met in an FA Cup final before, but their stories with the competition tell us plenty.

City’s history is deep. Seven FA Cup titles, including recent victories in 2019 and 2023. The club’s first-ever major trophy came in this competition in 1904. It’s part of their DNA.

Palace’s FA Cup legacy is more emotional than tangible. Their 1990 final still lives in supporters’ minds as one of the all-time classics. Their 2016 run reminded everyone they could still swing at the top table. 2025 might just be the time they land something.

And while they’ve only faced each other sporadically in the tournament, most notably in the 1920s and ’80s, this final feels like a chance to write a new chapter.

It’s easy to be cynical. The Cup doesn’t have the blockbuster feel of the Champions League. But it does come with a legacy, and that’s important. It also comes with a spot in next seasons Europa League, which for Palace, is quite the prize.

The FA Cup holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the English football community and has delivered iconic moments over the years. These moments don’t fade. They define generations of fans, and Palace know this could be that kind of moment for them.

For City, it’s about reasserting domestic dominance in a season where things haven’t gone entirely their way. For Palace, it’s the biggest match in their modern history.

And for the rest of us? It’s a final that reminds us football still has room for days that aren’t about revenue charts or major derby’s. Just 90 minutes (or more) where history is written and clubs outside of the wealthy elite can get a chance at silverware.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

Preview: European finalists Chelsea and Man United clash on Friday night

Two teams with aspirations of silverware go head-to-head in a different competition entirely, one in which Chelsea still have a major objective to achieve – but Manchester United simply want to finish and forget.

By Karl Matchett

Back among the elite, somehow

Despite both these clubs having been in abysmal form across different parts of the season – especially considering the vast sums spent in the transfer market and the managerial changes they’ve both embarked upon – it seems improbable that both could play in the Champions League next season.

Yet here we are: United have their Europa League final to prepare for, while Chelsea’s focus is on Conference League success but also a top-five finish in the Premier League. At this stage it’s in their hands to do exactly that, but they can’t afford a slip-up in the final home game for their league campaign, particularly against the side in the joint-worst form in the competition.

Historically bad, recently awful

Needless to say this will be Man United’s worst Premier League finish in the modern era – 13th in 1990 was their worst finish since being relegated from the old Division One in 73/74, but 2024/25 will be levels worse than that in position terms. United can’t point to recent improvements either; over the last five league games, nobody has taken fewer points than their grand total of…one. The only potential positive to a side in such dismal form making Europe’s top competition next year may turn out to be that the side they must beat in the final – Tottenham – are in fact the only side below them in the league table who won’t be relegated.

Recent form

A defeat at Newcastle last time out was Chelsea’s first following five straight wins in all competitions. At home in the league, they are unbeaten in nine – they’ve largely come through their poor midseason run of six losses in 12 spanning December to February and home form may be the defining factor for a top-five finish. For United, it’s three wins in 11 and all three have come in Europe. Wretched league form has seen them win twice since 26th January – against two relegated sides in Ipswich and Leicester.

Team news

Wesley Fofana, Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu are the most notable injury absences, the latter two more problematic since Jadon Sancho is ineligible against his parent club and Nicolas Jackson is now suspended. United are missing Lisandro Martínez, Matthijs de Ligt and Diogo Dalot from defence, plus Joshua Zirkzee.

Key player

Obviously Cole Palmer will be Chelsea’s main threat but given the lack of striker options they have, Pedro Neto will likely play as the No. 9 and must provide a finishing touch – he has created 45 chances and 10 big chances this term, third in the squad for both, but but manages only 0.7 shots on target and 0.13 xG per 90 in the league.

Prediction

Chelsea to get the result they need, United to get a step closer to closing this ridiculous chapter: Chelsea 2-1 Man United.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

Florian Wirtz has a big decision to make this summer

Florian Wirtz has his pick of Europe’s biggest clubs, but the thought of the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker joining Bayern Munich is the most compelling.

By Graham Ruthven

Bayern Munich have pillaged the Bundesliga of its best talent for so long that it has become a cliche. The Bavarians might eased up on their poaching of their rivals’ most talented players in recent times, but Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels, Dayot Upamecano and others established a trade route that Florian Wirtz could now follow.

Wirtz is German football’s next superstar. The 22-year-old has already established himself as one of the best in the Bundesliga, winning the title with Bayer Leverkusen last season, but most expect a big money move to materialise sooner rather than later. It could happen this summer with several clubs in pursuit.

*Wirtz compares very well against similar players in Europe’s top five leagues*

Manchester City are reportedly interested in Wirtz who they view as a potential replacement for the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne. Liverpool could also offer Wirtz a route to the Premier League with the English champions keen to build on the success of Arne Slot’s maiden season in charge. Wirtz would give the Anfield side a different dimension.

Then there’s Real Madrid who have already lined up Trent Alexander-Arnold for a summer switch and could add Wirtz to their ranks ahead of Xabi Alonso’s expected arrival. The Spaniard knows how to get the best out of Wirtz and could install him as a centrepiece in his new-look team at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Real Madrid, however, are already over-stocked for attacking players. Rodrygo stayed on the bench for Sunday’s title-deciding Clásico against Barcelona largely because there was no viable place for him in a forward line that already included Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. Arda Güler and Endrick have also struggled for game time this season. How would Wirtz fit in?

That is an easier question to answer when considering Bayern Munich’s interest. Recent reports claim discussions are advanced over a move to the Allianz Arena this summer with Wirtz’s father believed to favour a Bavarian transfer. The addition of the 22-year-old would give Bayern one of the most fearsome attacks anywhere in Europe.

Bayern are already formidable in the final third. Harry Kane is one of the best centre forwards of his generation, scoring 61 goals in 62 Bundesliga games since joining from Tottenham Hotspur, while Michael Olise has enjoyed an excellent maiden season in Germany, registering 32 goal contributions in all competitions.

*Bundesliga goal contributions, 2024/25*

Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sané all contributed to Bayern Munich’s title success this season, although all three could leave the club this summer if transfer speculation is to be believed. Jamal Musiala, however, is going nowhere. Indeed, he is the purest embodiment of what Vincent Kompany wants the Bavarians to be under his stewardship.

Musiala is almost position-less. In Kompany’s system, he has the freedom to find pockets of space across the forward line. The 22-year-old gets in between the lines and gives Bayern Munich creativity and nimbleness, not to mention goal threat, when otherwise their possession-heavy approach might be predictable.

Fitting Musiala and Wirtz, two dribblers who like to occupy the same areas of the pitch, could be a challenge, but Julian Nagelsmann has already shown it can be done, making good use of the pair for Germany. When Germany put seven goals past Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Nations League last November, Musiala and Wirtz were standouts, both scoring and linking up throughout.

Wirtz’s work rate off the ball could make the partnership work at club level just as well as it does for Germany. The 22-year-old has averaged more possession regains in the final third per 90 minutes (1.4) than any other Leverkusen player this season. Musiala also ranks highly for tackles in the final third per 90 minutes. The pair would set the tone from the front for Bayern.

Kompany has a number of problems to solve this summer. Defensively, Bayern Munich are frequently vulnerable against opponents that play in quick transition. This cost them a place in the Champions League semi-finals as Inter Milan exposed this weakness and it seems likely a new centre back will be targeted to combat this.

A new midfield anchor would also be useful. João Palhinha was signed to perform this role last summer, but lacks the rhythm building ability to operate at the base of Kompany’s central unit. Aleksandar Pavlović is still improving, yet Bayern Munich are lacking an elite level two-way pace-setter in the middle.

By landing Wirtz, though, Bayern Munich would make a statement on where they are heading as a team. Kompany has given the Bavarians a platform to build on. The Bundesliga trophy is back at the Allianz Area, but the champions want more. If Musiala is one German superstar of the future, Wirtz is another. Bayern could have both.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

Eberechi Eze is in the form of his life ahead of Wembley Cup Final

Eberechi Eze has found form at the perfect time for Crystal Palace.

By Sam McGuire

The versatile attacker has five goals in his last four appearances for the Eagles and seven in his last 10 outings for Oliver Glasner’s side. During this run, he scored in the FA Cup quarter-final win over Fulham and the semi-final victory against Aston Villa. He also found the back of the net against Champions League chasing Manchester City and Nottingham Forest during this run, as well as scoring against Arsenal at the Emirates.

In his last appearance for the FA Cup finalists, he was the match-winner, netting twice in the 2-0 win over Spurs.

*Eze’s last four appearances include three FotMob Player of the Match awards*

Palace face Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday. There’s going to be plenty of talent on show, but the form player heading into the game is Eze. This would well be his last hurrah with the Eagles.

Linked with a move to a Champions League club for the past couple of seasons, it feels as though it’ll finally happen for the 26-year-old. He’s avoided injury this term and he’s had an encouraging campaign under Glasner. He’s on seven goals and eight assists across 2,500 minutes in the Premier League. He’s got 24 goal involvements across all competitions, a career high for the England international since moving to Selhurst Park.

With a reported £60million release clause in his contract, Palace are powerless to stop his exit if a club stumps up the money. Over recent weeks, interest in him has ramped up.

Manchester City are believed to be keen to add him to their attacking ranks as they look to replace the departing Kevin De Bruyne in the summer. Spurs are also interested in the 10-cap international, though the struggling Premier League side likely have a lot to do this summer and splashing the cash on Eze might not be viewed as a priority.

Liverpool have been previously linked with the former QPR attacker too. The Reds are seemingly looking to bolster their creative ranks this summer to fill the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Adding a creator to his ranks might make Arne Slot’s life a little easier as he looks to retain the Premier League title next season.

You can understand why top clubs are keeping tabs on the Eze situation.

To go along with his 17 Premier League goal involvements this term, he has an average FotMob rating of 7.41. Over the past four matches across all competitions, his average FotMob rating is 8.4. He’s scaling his game to new heights at a pivotal part of the season.

More importantly, though, he’s a dual goal threat. He’s a goalscorer and a goal creator.

*Eze’s shooting stats, Premier League 2024/25*

He has a 10.25 Expected Goals haul this season and an Expected Assists total of 4.03. Eze has, on average, created almost two chances per 90 for the Eagles. If you look at his numbers last season, he was averaging 2.3 chances created per 90, meaning, across 4,500 top-flight minutes since the start of last term, he’s averaging 2.15 chances per 90. And if you look at the rest of his attacking numbers over that period, he’s racked up an xG total of 19.45 and an xA of 9.58, giving him an Expected Goal Involvement total of 29.03. All while playing for a mid-table team who seems to struggle in the first half of the campaign.

These numbers are over a fairly large sample size too.

*Eze’s passing stats, Premier League 2024/25*

The 26-year-old has proven himself to be a genuine, reliable threat in the final third. You pay the big money for those players, even if it is to bulk out the squad and give you more depth in that department. Not that Eze should be signed as a rotation option. He’s good enough to pull the strings for a top team.

There’s just more to his game than people realise. He can score, create, pass and carve out space for teammates. He’s the whole package.

And while he’s been on a hot streak recently, his five goals have come from an xG of 2.43, his performances in the penalty area over the entire season prove he deserves a bit of good fortune at this stage. He’d been underperforming earlier in the campaign, with his goal tally not matching his actual performances in the final third. Now, the efforts are going in and he’s boosted his numbers in what feels like a blink of an eye.

He’s a well-rounded attacker who is technically brilliant. He’s homegrown, versatile and entering his peak. Eze could be one of the most sought-after forwards in the Premier League this summer. The queue for him will only increase if he fires Palace to a shock FA Cup victory.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

FPL tips from the reigning champ: GW37

Get ahead of the Group Chat thanks to our new regular column from FPL expert Jonas Sand Låbakk.

By Graham Ruthven, in conversation with Jonas Sand Låbakk

Introducing our expert

Jonas is a 21 year old student who, like FotMob, hails from Norway. He was Fantasy Premier League champion for the 2023/24 season, finishing ahead of 11 million other managers. So who better to provide expert advice?

Read his expert advice every week.

*Don’t forget the early FPL deadline for this round – with two games on Friday night make your transfers and get your team sorted before 6pm BST on Friday 16 May*

The Eye Test vs. The Stats

Bukayo Saka (10.3m) has been a frustrating FPL asset to own lately.

While the Arsenal winger is back in action after a period out through injury, Mikel Arteta has rested him in several Premier League matches to keep him fresh for the Champions League.

Now, of course, the Gunners are out of the Champions League with Arteta’s team also only playing for pride in the league with their top five place all but secured.

Having failed to deliver a FPL return in any of his last six games, Saka’s recent form has been underwhelming. However, his underlying numbers make for betting reading, suggesting he could soon find his best form again.

*Saka’s passing stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Saka is averaging an impressive 0.76 Expected Goal Involvements (xGI) per 90 minutes this season. On top of this, the Arsenal winger created four chances and missed one Big Chance against Liverpool. He could have finished with more than just two points.

Arsenal have a tricky game against Newcastle this weekend with the Magpies chasing Champions League qualification. However, the North London outfit have bottom side Southampton on the final day. Saka could be in line for a big haul.

Ollie Watkins (8.9m) has flown under the radar this season, particularly compared to previous seasons of FPL.

The Aston Villa forward has given FPL managers a headache in recent weeks with Unai Emery chopping and changing between Watkins and Marcus Rashford. Now, though, Watkins is in line to start the final two games of the season with Rashford sidelined through injury.

Watkins has notched 23 goal involvements (16 goals, seven assists) from an xGI of 16.6 this season. This translates to 0.61 xGI per 90 minutes, highlighting the Villa forward’s natural ability to put the ball in the back of the net.

Rashford’s injury, and Marco Asensio’s recent misses from the spot, means Watkins could be on penalties for Aston Villa to finish the campaign. Villa have fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in GW37 and GW38, which might be two favourable fixtures such is the contrasting priorities of the teams in question. Watkins could be a smart pick.

Long shot

Pedro Neto (6.1m) is owned by just 1.3% of FPL managers, and this isn’t surprising considering how the Chelsea winger has performed all season.

However, Nicolas Jackson’s red card against Newcastle United means Neto could start as a centre forward for Chelsea in the final two games of the season with other options such as Marc Guiu and Christopher Nkunku injury doubts.

Tyrique George (4.5m) has been mentioned by some as a potential candidate to start up front after performing this role in the Conference League, but Neto would be a more experienced choice. He has, after all, played there in the Premier League this season. He has also played 90 minutes in his last five league outings.

Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge this weekend. Ruben Amorim could rest several players with the Europa League final around the corner and so this could be a good opportunity for the Blues to continue their challenge for Champions League qualification.

Upcoming games to follow

There are a handful of matches worth following from a FPL point of view this weekend.

Aston Villa welcome Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night with the hosts desperate for points to finish in the top five. Watkins, Morgan Rogers (5.7m) and maybe even Asensio (6.1m) are players who could be worth a punt.

Another match on Friday night will be worth your attention with Chelsea taking on Manchester United.

Enzo Maresca’s team are in a similar spot to Villa in their efforts to make the Champions League while United are in a similar spot to Spurs ahead of the Europa League final next week. Cole Palmer (10.5m), Neto and Marc Cucurella (5.4m) should be on your radar for this match.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Did you know that you can track live Fantasy points with FotMob? Simply select any Premier League game, swipe to the Lineup tab, and press the big ‘Fantasy’ button! Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Barcelona head across town looking to seal the title at rivals Espanyol

Hansi Flick could clinch his first LaLiga title as Barcelona manager with a derby win over Espanyol on Thursday night.

By Graham Ruthven

Title formalities

Barcelona’s thrilling 4-3 win over Real Madrid in Sunday’s Clásico will be remembered as the moment Hansi Flick’s team effectively decided this season’s title race. The Catalans could, however, make it official by beating Espanyol.

Real Madrid’s dramatic win over Mallorca on Wednesday night means that three points is all that Barcelona need to seal the deal with three games left to play, starting with tonight’s trip across town.

The last few weeks have been gruelling for Barcelona. They have beaten Real Madrid twice – once in the Copa del Rey final and once to effectively win the title – and contested a classic Champions League semi-final, losing 7-6 on aggregate to Inter Milan.

While a treble is no longer on the cards for Barca, LaLiga and the Copa del Rey would still represent a remarkable season. Flick and his players have shown themselves as the best in Spain and now it’s just about getting over the line.

Espanyol, meanwhile, need points to secure survival with Manolo’s team just five points above the relegation zone. Three consecutive defeats have raised fears that Los Periquitos could be sucked into trouble.

Key players

Javi Puado has scored more goals (11) than any other Espanyol player this season and has good reason to believe he can add to this tally against a Barcelona defence that has conceded 14 goals in five games in all competitions.

Joan García has been a standout performer for Espanyol this season and the goalkeeper, currently being tracked by big clubs in England and elsewhere, will need to find his best form against Barcelona on Thursday night. Manolo will set up his team to play in a back five to keep the opposition forward line at arm’s length as much as possible.

*García leads a number of goalkeeping metrics in LaLiga this season*

This will be a tricky task considering the firepower in the Barcelona team. Raphinha will be a threat after bagging a brace in El Clásico, taking his tally for the season to 18 league goals. Lamine Yamal is also capable producing a moment of magic at any time.

Pedri has enjoyed the best season of his Barcelona career so far, creating 65 chances in total – only Raphinha (87) has created more. At the back, the de facto champions need the likes of Pau Cubarsí and Andreas Christensen to step up to keep things tight.

Team news

Pol Lozano missed the weekend defeat to Leganés, but could return from a quad injury to feature for Espanyol in Thursday’s derby. Right back Omar El Hilali will also be recalled to the lineup following a one-match suspension.

Robert Lewandowski is expected to start on the bench as he continues his recovery from injury. Iñigo Martínez will miss the match through suspension while Jules Koundé is expected to be unavailable.

Flick faces a decision between Wojciech Szczęsny and Marc-André ter Stegen after the former was favoured for the Clásico win over Real Madrid. The Polish goalkeeper could keep his place.

Prediction

It’s a formality, surely? But perhaps Espanyol can land a few punches before Barcelona’s title procession takes over: Espanyol 2-4 Barcelona.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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