The Pulse of Football

Aug

2026

Preview: Real Madrid welcome newly-promoted Málaga to the Bernabéu

Real Madrid have never lost against Málaga at Estadio Bernabéu across 41 games in all competitions.

By Filip Mishov

Mourinho’s blueprint already visible

Real Madrid’s sluggish first-half display against Real Sociedad in midweek even attracted some boos from the Bernabéu faithful at half-time but Kylian Mbappé turned on the heat in the second half to seal the win by completing a hat-trick.

Even though José Mourinho might not be completely pleased with his team’s performances during the opening couple of rounds, especially with the opponents enjoying a lot of time on the ball (43% possession on average), Los Blancos are off to a flawless start in LaLiga and are averaging an xG of 2.9.

On the other side of the pitch, a clean sheet for Thibaut Courtois is surely the next target, but the new look defence is still finding its feet with three new players (Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella) all starting in front of the Belgian goalkeeper.

Estadio La Rosaleda witnessed Málaga’s first top flight match since 2017/18 on Monday with Los Blanquiazules drawing with Deportivo A Coruña, which followed defeat at Atlético Madrid in the opening round. Now, Juan Funes‘s squad is heading back to Madrid to face one of the club’s toughest opponents, as Málaga’s record against Real Madrid attests.

Mourinho was, however, at the helm back in 2012 when Manuel Pellegrini outwitted a world-class side featuring Sergio Ramos, Mesut Özil and Cristiano Ronaldo to celebrate Málaga’s last win over Madrid in all competitions.

Key players

In order for Los Blancos to make the most out of their rich attacking talent, tlast season’s runners-up need a solid and well-organised backline, and Dean Huijsen is set to be one of Mourinho’s defensive leaders this campaign. The talented centre-back already worked under the Portuguese coach at Roma back in 2024 and The Special One then labelled him as “one of the biggest prospects in football”. So, it is no surprise to see the 21-year-old start and excel in the opening matches of the season, earning a FotMob rating of 7.1 and 7.8, respectively.

Chupe is living the dream after guiding his boyhood club back to LaLiga with the academy product scoring 25 goals and six assists in the second tier last season. Subsequently, the 22-year-old finished as the second-highest scorer and was among the leading forwards in terms of goals per 90 (0.81) and xGOT (21.9). The No. 9 will be Málaga’s protagonist once again and the prolific striker has opened his account for this season by scoring against Deportivo A Coruña.

Team news

With Real Madrid playing three league games in a span of eight days, Mourinho is expected to make changes in the starting XI, but Éder Militao, Raúl Asencio, Ferland Mendy, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Thiago Pitarch, Rodrygo and Endrick remain out of contention.

Málaga’s injury list is less extensive, but still Diego Murillo, Fernando Calero, Aarón Ochoa and Adrián Nino will be absent through injuries.

Prediction

José Mourinho is off to a perfect start in LaLiga, and with the newly-promoted Málaga coming to the Bernabéu, I expect them to make it three out of three at the start of the season and ahead of their difficult trip to Real Betis next week.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Aug

2026

Preview: Man United welcome the Tractor Boys to Old Trafford

After finishing last season on an optimistic note, Manchester United fans will be feeling deflated one game into the new campaign. Michael Carrick needs to get a fast tune out of his team to change that.

By Karl Matchett

Facing a newly promoted side right at the start of a new season is dangerous – everyone has known that for years. But even the most pessimistic supporter must have been grinning at United being handed two in a row to kick off 2026/27.

Tactics vs. toughness

Carrick’s side had plenty of the ball against Hull, but did comparatively little with it; by contrast, they were easily picked apart when the top-flight Tigers surged forward, got people in the box and took their chances. The atmosphere, energy, adrenaline, excitement at being back in the Premier League – all that is of course a massive part of a promoted side’s first game of the year, and Manchester United won’t be the last team to succumb to it.

But all the same, they can’t use the same excuse when the next chance to put matters right rolls around and Ipswich had their own late scenes of jubilation when beating Sunderland on gameweek one, too. All things being equal, United should rightly be expected to put in a far stronger showing for their first home game, and their second match-up with a promoted outfit. But “expectations” only skate over the truth: Hull created more big chances than United, produced more sprints, covered more ground, won way more duels and were simply more aggressive, on and off the ball. United have their way of playing, which is fine, but there also looks very little evidence that they’ve ditched the softness of last season – and in matches where the opposition brings the energy, that’s increasingly problematic in the Premier League.

Lessons learned?

Last time around after promotion Ipswich spent big, but on a lot of promise, potential and possibility – think Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson. This time it’s slightly different, with plenty of top-flight experience joining through Issa Diop, Saša Lukić, Florentino Luís and the excellent Julio Enciso. Add in some who have featured in European competition – Exequiel Palacios from Leverkusen and Daizen Maeda from Celtic – and this looks a much better-balanced, better-equipped, squad to try and stay up.

*H2H results last time Ipswich were in the Premier League*

Recent form

Prior to losing to Hull, United failed to win their final three preseason games. Ipswich followed up the opening day win over Sunderland by beating Leicester in the EFL Cup midweek.

Team news

New signing Carlos Baleba is out for a while yet, with fellow midfielders Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte also sidelined. Ipswich are missing Florentino Luís but are otherwise fine.

Key player

United signed Youri Tielemans to dictate play and help progress the ball from deep – this type of game it’s critical he do so. He made 12 passes into the final third and 15 line-breakers on his debut, so a full 90 minutes here should up that supply line considerably.

Prediction

Another 90 minutes of concern and frustration to start the season for the hosts: Man United 1-1 Ipswich.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Aug

2026

Preview: Chelsea host Brighton as both teams look to extend perfect start

Chelsea welcome Brighton to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon as both teams look to make it back-to-back Premier League victories.

By Ross Kilvington

Xabi Alonso eyeing third win in a week

Alonso began his Chelsea reign by leading the Blues to a 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday evening in the Premier League. He followed that up by securing progress into the third round of the EFL Cup thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win over Luton on Thursday.

So far so good for the Spaniard at Stamford Bridge. There will be tougher ties to come, however, and Brighton represent a step up in class from Luton.

While no European football is certainly a blessing in disguise for the former Real Madrid coach, the squad depth he has at his disposal will allow him to bring on quality players during games.

Alonso made five changes to his squad for the cup clash against Luton, bringing summer signings, including ex-Brighton men Danny Welbeck and Valentín Barco, plus Pep Chavarria into the starting XI.

With five goals in just two games, it is clear Alonso has gotten his players thriving in this style of play.

The season is barely underway, but Chelsea could be a difficult team to beat this season.

Brighton looking to continue strong start to the season

Like Chelsea, Fabian Hürzeler has led his team to back-to-back victories to begin the 2026/27 campaign.

The Seagulls delivered a serious statement of intent against Aston Villa last weekend. Not only did they secure three points, but Brighton netted four goals in a stunning first 45 minutes against a shellshocked Villa side.

Against Tromsø in their Conference League second leg playoff tie, Hürzeler’s men once again scored four goals.

A trip to Stamford Bridge will really test their resolve, but given how Brighton have begun the campaign, you wouldn’t bet against them on Sunday.

Team news

Cole Palmer could be a doubt after suffering a knock against Luton, but Alonso will give him time to recover.

Wesley Fofana remains absent due to suspension, while Jordan Henderson will have to wait a while longer for his debut due to injury.

Evan Ferguson remains unavailable for Brighton, while Yankuba Minteh is also absent. The winger has attracted attention from Liverpool this summer.

Prediction

This match is arguably the standout tie of the second round of Premier League matches and if both teams perform how they have done across their opening two games, it could be a thriller.

Remarkably, Brighton have won their previous four matches against Chelsea dating back to September 2024.

Under Alonso, however, the Blues look more disciplined than they have in a while and this will make them difficult to break down.

With that in mind, Hürzeler knows his team can cause plenty of problems in the final third and they have scored three times in each of their last three games against Chelsea.

It is difficult to pick a winner from this tie so I will go for a high-scoring draw: Chelsea 2-2 Brighton.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Aug

2026

Preview: Anfield hosts the early Saturday kick off as Liverpool face Forest

Liverpool welcome Nottingham Forest to Anfield on Saturday afternoon as both teams search for their first three points of the campaign.

By Sam McGuire

The story of the season

The Reds kicked off the Andoni Iraola era with a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United. Liverpool twice came from behind to pick up a point with Dominik Szoboszlai saving the day with a 99th minute penalty last Sunday.

Iraola’s midfield appeared to have gaping holes in it and the hosts exploited it with two breathtaking counter-attackers. Despite calls for middle third reinforcements, Liverpool appear to be focusing on their forward line. At the time of writing this preview, a deal for Bradley Barcola is close while bids have been rejected for Yankuba Minteh and Ismaïla Sarr. Reports seem to suggest at least one more attacker could be signed before deadline day while Cody Gakpo could depart in a big-money move to Spurs.

If this is to be his last appearance for the Reds, he’ll want to go out with a bang. He scored the first goal of the season for Liverpool last weekend and he’s looked bright in pre-season. Expect another decent showing in what is a potential sign-off for the Dutchman.

Nottingham Forest suffered back-to-back losses to Leeds United, first in the Premier League and then in the Carabao Cup. New manager Oliver Glasner has a good record against Liverpool and he’ll want to extend that on Saturday. He’ll also no doubt be a little wary of how quickly things can sour as Forest manager. Another defeat and things could spiral.

This week, Forest agreed to a club record deal to sign Liam Delap from Chelsea. If he’s registered in time, expect him to be involved on Saturday and he has the potential to cause the hosts some problems with his physicality.

We may only be into the second matchday of the season but both new managers will be desperate to get a win under their belts.

Key Players

There’s been a lot of focus on Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak this week after both disappointed for Liverpool in the draw with Newcastle. Both were expected to step up following the departure of Mohamed Salah and both will want to cement their claim for the team’s MVP before Barcola arrives. If the Reds are to have any success against a resilient Forest team, those two will be key.

*Gibbs-White heat map vs. Leeds last weekend*

For the away side, the key man might be Morgan Gibbs-White. At St James’ Park last weekend, the Reds left a lot of space in midfield and Virgil van Dijk and Jérémy Jacquet had to put out fires. Gibbs-White positions himself in pockets, is a good ball carrier and has an eye for goal. He’s going to be the main threat for the visitors and Liverpool will want to keep an eye on him.

Team News

Liverpool are without a number of players. Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are long-term absentees. Joe Gomez suffered a setback in pre-season and will be absent while Alexis Mac Allister, who was given an extended break after the World Cup, is still getting up to speed so is unlikely to start. Iraola doesn’t have many options right now.

Forest, meanwhile, have a full squad to pick from with the exceptions of Nicolò Savona. The away team have also added to their ranks this week with the arrival of Delap meaning they head to Anfield with quality and depth in attack.

Prediction

We’re going with a narrow 2-1 win for Liverpool.

(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.

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Aug

2026

Preview: Spurs welcome Newcastle to North London

Spurs’ new-look team looked rather too familiar against Brentford last weekend, and they now take on Newcastle United in their first home match of 2026/27.

By Ian King

A big midweek win may have settled Spurs nerves, but Newcastle have defied negative pre-season predictions so far

Spurs return to The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for their first home Premier League match against Newcastle United having failed to deliver last weekend. A disjointed and lethargic performance at Brentford hinted that spending hundreds of millions of pounds has not fixed the problems that have been so obvious over the last two seasons, though a 5-1 midweek win against Charlton Athletic may have settled a few nerves for Roberto De Zerbi.

Their opponents had a difficult summer following the departure of Eddie Howe and the arrival of Matthias Jaissle, but made an encouraging start to their League season. On an emotional afternoon at St James’ Park as they bade farewell to Kevin Keegan, Newcastle United defied pre-season predictions that they could struggle this season with a strong performance against Liverpool which would have ended in a win had it not been for a 99th-minute Liverpool penalty which rescued a 2-2 draw. They followed this up with giving some of their fringe players a runout for their narrow 3-2 win against West Bromwich Albion in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

Newcastle have an excellent recent record in this fixture

Newcastle’s record against Spurs has been good in recent years. Over the last four seasons, they’ve only lost once against them, and they’ve won five and drawn one of their last six meetings. Newcastle won the corresponding fixture between the two teams last season 2-1 at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs haven’t beaten Newcastle at all since December 2023. The good news for them there is that their last two wins against them were by a handsome margin; 4-1 in 2023, and 5-1 in April 2022. The one thing that we might reasonably expect from this fixture is goals. They haven’t played a goalless draw since August 1971.

Sávio made quite a splash on his debut against Charlton Athletic

There had been some conjecture over the wisdom of paying Manchester City £75 million for The Artist Formerly Known as Savinho, but a goal and an assist – where the assists was a shot which deflected in off Ben Davies – as part of a 19-minute cameo against Charlton in the Carabao Cup certainly indicated that he’s keen to make this move work.

😅 Sávio’s name change seems to have paid off. A goal and assist on his Tottenham debut! pic.twitter.com/oe8O4TIYmM
— FotMob (@FotMob) August 26, 2026

Newcastle, meanwhile, may have two new arrivals of their own to show off. Amar Dedić has arrived for £30 million from Benfica and promptly chipped in on his debut with two assists in the win against West Brom. Before the match, Newcastle showed off Nico González, who’s arrived from Manchester City for £52 million, before the start of that match and he may be brought in for this one.

Both sides have new signings to show off, but a couple of them may not make the cut this weekend

Spurs have already managed to pick up a couple of fresh injuries to add to those that they’re carrying over from last season. Xavi Simons (ACL), Wilson Odobert (knee), Dejan Kulusevski (knee) and Mohammed Kudus (thigh) will all be missing, as well as James Maddison, who’s missing the next couple of weeks with a fractured shoulder, and Pape Mata Sarr, who has a thigh injury. Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro both returned from the bench against Charlton, though they may remain there, for this match, although van de Ven having been appointed captain in the summer might lead to him starting.

Sávio made a convincing case to start this match against Charlton, but while Omar Marmoush is also just about to arrive from City, if he does get registered in time for this match, it’s unlikely that he’ll be involved. Another Spurs player to have made a convincing case to start this one is Mikey Moore, who scored his first Spurs goal and picked up an assist in midweek. Sandro Tonali could return to play against the team who he left for Spurs in the summer.

Dan Burn, Joelinton and William Osula will all be missing for Newcastle. Presuming Osula to be absent, Nick Woltemade is his most likely replacement. It had been hoped that Tino Livramento would be back for the start of the season, but he missed the Liverpool match and was left out for the West Brom match too, and the likelihood of him taking part against Spurs is slim.

Spurs and Newcastle may both still be settling, at the end of a very busy transfer window

With just one league game and an EFL Cup match to go on, and with a lot of changes at both clubs over the last three months, trying to pick a winner between these two teams feels like a particularly fiendish task, because all four of these matches were punctuated with ifs and buts.

There’s no doubting that Spurs were abject at Brentford in their opening Premier League fixture, and while their midweek Carabao Cup win did allay the worst of Spurs fans’ early-season nerves, it did come with a team that won’t be expected to be the same for this match and against one of the most modest oppositions they’ll face all season.

Newcastle, meanwhile, were better than most expected against Liverpool, but they couldn’t hold on for all three points in that match and their midweek Carabao Cup performance saw them make hard work of a match which, it might be argued, should have been a routine win.

In view of this, the only sensible thing to do is to predict a draw and, given that this is a match-up which often delivers a few goals, 2-2 sounds like a realistic outcome for a fixture which could head in just about any direction.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

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Aug

2026

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is the man to spearhead Everton’s European charge

It is no secret to say that Everton’s first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was something of a disappointment.

By Ross Kilvington

Hopes were high that new surroundings could spur the Toffees towards a potential European challenge, especially with David Moyes undergoing a full pre-season in his second spell.

In the end, those on the blue half of Merseyside had to make do with a 13^th place finish in the Premier League, winning just six league games at their new home.

Over the summer, Moyes made five signings in a bid to bolster his squad, bringing in Hayden Hackney, Brennan Johnson, Tyrique George, Christian Nørgaard and Merlin Röhl.

Three of those signings started in Everton’s opening 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the weekend and things suddenly look bright again.

The star of the show was Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, however, who was a step above everyone else on the pitch.

*Dewsbury-Hall’s player traits compared to similar players in Top 5 leagues.*

Should he play like that every week, the Toffees might just find themselves in the European places come the end of the campaign.

A statement performance against Crystal Palace

You have to go back all the way to August 2021 for Everton’s last opening day Premier League victory. Of course, plenty of teams have lost their opening game and still enjoyed excellent seasons, yet Everton haven’t finished higher than 13^th in each campaign that began with a defeat.

Step forward Dewsbury-Hall. The midfielder delivered a statement of intent with his performance on Saturday afternoon.

So impressive was his display, the Englishman received an 8.4 rating on FotMob, the highest of anyone on the pitch.

He made eight defensive contributions across the 90 minutes, but it was his energetic nature and liveliness in the opposition half that had the supporters off their seats throughout the game.

Indeed, Dewsbury-Hall created two chances, registered three shots and completed seven passes into the final third for his teammates.

The performance was characterised by his superbly taken goal in the first-half. Receiving the ball just inside the box, Dewsbury-Hall created a yard of space before unleashing a ferocious shot into the far corner to give Everton the lead.

That moment of magic is why Moyes splashed out approximately £28m to sign the midfielder in the summer of 2025 and he was certainly impressed with his goal, although not surprised.

“He does that in training a lot, that’s what he’s got, that quality in the final third, great finish from him.” Said Moyes following the game.

*The shot map for Dewbury-Hall’s goal vs. Palace*

The supporters will be hoping this is a sign of things to come from the former Chelsea midfielder. After his lacklustre spell at Stamford Bridge, which wasn’t his fault due to lack of gametime, Dewsbury-Hall now has a platform on which to showcase his wide range of talents on a regular basis.

David Moyes can provide the best environment for Dewsbury-Hall to shine

Moyes knows how to bring the best out of a player who has perhaps endured a difficult spell such as the one Dewsbury-Hall had at Chelsea.

Throughout his single season at Stamford Bridge, the 27-year-old was limited to only two Premier League starts across 13 appearances, although he did feature heavily during the Conference League success, scoring four goals in 13 matches as the Blues won the trophy.

He has enjoyed a new lease of life on Merseyside, however, and it is all thanks to the impact of Moyes.

“I love working with David Moyes,” said the midfielder midway through his first season at the club.

“Ever since I came through the door, he said ‘look, I know what your about as a player, I want you to express yourself, I want you to show people what you can do’. I respect him so much.

“He might be one of the oldest managers in the league, but I swear, he’s one of the hardest working, so big credit to him for that.”

Dewsbury-Hall registered 14 goal contributions last term – eight goals and six assists – the most across the entire squad.

*Dewsbury-Hall’s past few seasons summarised*

During his single season at Chelsea, the Englishman was regularly deployed in a deeper lying role than he was used to, while featuring out wide on a few occasions.

His best role, though, is operating just behind the forward in a 4-2-3-1 system, a position in which he thrived in last term. indeed, of his 14 goal involvements, 12 came while playing in that number 10 role for the Toffees.

Against Palace, Moyes began the campaign by sticking to his 4-2-3-1 and with Hayden Hackney and Harrison Armstrong as the two central midfielders, Dewsbury-Hall was given free reign to cause chaos in the final third.

It worked a treat, with the midfielder thriving in his natural position as he led Everton to their first opening day victory since 2021.

Everton have spent years searching for a midfielder that can take matches by the scruff of the neck and be a gamechanger in the final third.

In Dewsbury-Hall, the Toffees finally have one. His intelligence, technically ability and end-product gives Moyes a player that flourishes within his system.

If he can replicate that display against Palace throughout the entire season, then Everton’s European ambitions aren’t just fanciful, they are a realistic proposition.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

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Aug

2026

Preview: Crystal Palace host Manchester City in Pierre Sage’s home debut

The second round of the 2026/27 Premier League season kicks off with Manchester City visiting Crystal Palace.

By Neel Shelat

Pierre Sage set to lead Crystal Palace at home for the first time

After Oliver Glasner opted to leave Crystal Palace when his contract ran out at the end of the 2025/26 season, Pierre Sage took on the unenviable task of succeeding the man who delivered the Eagles’ first pieces of silverware.

The French tactician came to England on the back of an impressive season with Lens, leading The Blood and Gold in a title race against the far richer Paris Saint-Germain. He had previously also done well at Lyon amid tough circumstances.

*Sage’s win percentage record in recent roles*

Sage’s Premier League debut ended in a 2-0 defeat against Everton, though his side’s first half performance was particularly encouraging. So, they will hope to get points on the board shortly.

Manchester City’s recent dominance at Selhurst Park

Even though Crystal Palace famously got the better of Manchester City in a recent FA Cup final, the Eagles have generally struggled against the 10-time English champions. Their recent record on home turf makes for particularly rough reading, as they have lost nine and drawn the remaining three of their 12 meetings since 2015.

While Enzo Maresca did get off to a winning start in his first Premier League match in charge of the club, City’s performance against Bournemouth wasn’t entirely convincing. They trailed for most of the game and endured relatively long spells without clear-cut chances, only coming away with all three points thanks to a very late turnaround.

Crystal Palace will be no pushovers at home, so City will need to step up their game to be sure of maintaining their dominant record at Selhurst Park.

Team news

Chadi Riad had to be stretchered off due to a knee injury last weekend. Its severity is yet to be revealed, but the Moroccan defender likely won’t return soon. Ismaïla Sarr, meanwhile, was not a part of the squad as he recovers from a slight injury and could also make a move away before the end of the transfer window.

Jérémy Doku’s calf injury is expected to keep him out for a few more weeks. He should be City’s only absentee, since the knock Elliot Anderson picked up against Bournemouth was nothing serious.

Key players

Adam Wharton remains the heartbeat of Crystal Palace whenever they have the ball. He was the subject of a recent transfer enquiry from Manchester City, but the Eagles are unwilling to let him go at this point. His battle against Anderson will be one of the keys to this match.

Daniel Muñoz may end up leaving South London within the next week, but for now, he will have an important job to do on the wing. Jean-Philippe Mateta is another potential departee, so this might be his last opportunity to hit the ‘BOOM’ with Palace fans.

Of course, the most likely name to feature on the scoresheet has to be Erling Haaland, who has eight goals in five appearances against Palace so far. Rayan Cherki could well set him up, having provided both assists last weekend.

Prediction

Palace are a bit short on attacking quality, so Manchester City could edge out a low-scoring win.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Aug

2026

Fit again Kevin De Bruyne is getting a second chance at a first impression for Napoli

After a write-off of a debut season, Kevin De Bruyne is finally showing what he is capable of for Napoli as they enter a new era.

By Graham Ruthven

Kevin De Bruyne spent a lot of time watching Napoli from the sidelines last season. Just two months into his debut season, the Belgian suffered a thigh injury that would ultimately rule him out for much of the 2026/27 campaign. When he returned, a training ground incident dealt De Bruyne a cheekbone injury, as if he had lacked bad fortune.

From afar, De Bruyne watched as Napoli went through a lot of change. The Scudetto-winning team he joined from Manchester City in the summer of 2025 slowly disintegrated. Now fit again, De Bruyne is playing for a different manager with many different teammates around him.

On the basis of his performance in Napoli’s opening weekend win over Genoa, though, De Bruyne is ready and able to produce the same old moments of magic that have defined his career. The 35-year-old is getting a second chance at making a first impression for the Serie A club.

*De Bruyne’s career summary at Napoli so far*

When De Bruyne joined Napoli a year ago, the idea was that he would add some guile to the then Italian champions. Under Antonio Conte, Napoli had become a force of nature. They outfought opponents on their way to winning Serie A with Scott McTominay their biggest difference-maker.

With De Bruyne in the team, though, Conte planned to evolve Napoli’s playing style. He recognised the need for his side to become more proactive in their passing rhythm and the addition of the former Manchester City playmaker was key to this. Losing him for so much of the season was disruptive to the entire scheme.

Napoli seem to have rolled back this ambition by replacing Conte with Massimiliano Allegri. After back-to-back underwhelming stints at AC Milan and Juventus, Allegri has a point to prove after widespread confusion at his appointment as Napoli boss over the summer. If this backfires, owner Aurelio De Laurentiis will face criticism.

Allegri’s playing style is naturally conservative. He sets up teams to be defensive-minded. Allegri-ball aims to simplify the role of each player on the pitch to focus their minds on playing their own game. In the final third, this means Allegri’s teams depend on the individual quality of their best players.

This could harness De Bruyne as Napoli’s most talented player. Introduced off the bench for the final 23 minutes of Napoli’s opening league fixture against Genoa, the Belgian was afforded the freedom to affect the play in the attacking third from a roaming role on the right side of the midfield.

Allegri’s biggest problem could be fitting Frank Anguissa, McTominay, Stanislav Lobotka and De Bruyne into the same team. This is an issue Conte also ran into in the early stages of last season with McTominay frequently pushed into a wide position to make room for De Bruyne in the centre of the pitch. It didn’t work.

Deploying De Bruyne and McTominay in the same midfield three puts a lot of strain on the third member of the central unit. Neither De Bruyne or McTominay are particularly suited to operating in a deeper role, although it has been argued the former would be wise to adapt his game in this way to prolong his career at the top level.

De Bruyne’s goal against Genoa was proof of the attacking instincts that still flow through the veins of the 35-year-old. With Napoli in need of a breakthrough, De Bruyne reacted quickest to a ball inside the box, lashing home a finish to give his team the advantage they had been seeking.

“Last year was difficult, to have surgery like this and be out for five months,” said De Bruyne after the game. “I think I started well last year, but it’s really hard to return in March when everyone else is in top form. I’ve only been here two weeks because of the World Cup, I think I’m doing well, I’m trying to help the team and hope to have an injury-free season, and I hope that I can enjoy my football.”

Napoli host Como in their next match in what will be a gauge of where they are under Allegri. Cesc Fàbregas’ Como were the surprise package in Serie A last season, finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League. If there are any weaknesses in Napoli’s system, Como will exploit them.

Italy and Serie A was meant to be the perfect place for De Bruyne’s career renaissance when he moved there a year ago. It might still be with the Belgian finally fit and firing again. His goal on the opening weekend of the new Serie A season may have been a sign of things to come.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Aug

2026

Swedish Allsvenskan sensation Robbie Ure is already making an impact for Sevilla

After ripping up the Swedish Allsvenskan, Scottish striker Robbie Ure is now making an impact for new team Sevilla in LaLiga.

By Graham Ruthven

On the basis of the raw statistics, Robbie Ure’s first match in LaLiga as a starting figure for Sevilla passed him by. Despite playing the full 90 minutes, the Scottish striker registered just 12 touches. He failed to fire off a single shot or even touch the ball inside the opposition penalty box. And yet Ure found other ways to make an impact.

Quite literally in the case of how Oso scored the opening goal in Sevilla’s 3-1 win over Athletic Club, pressing so hard that the 22-year-old slammed into opposition goalkeeper Unai Simón. The World Cup winner appealed for a foul, but the referee decided Ure closed him down fairly and the goal stood.

*Ure’s player traits compared against similar level strikers*

Before that, Ure’s pressure led to the red card that tipped the match in Sevilla’s favour. The Scot refused to let the Athletic Club backline control a bouncing ball, forcing a rushed clearance from Aitor Paredes before Yuri Berchiche hauled down Miguel Sierra on the edge of the box.

This came after Ure’s debut off the bench in the win over Rayo Vallecano when he won a late penalty kick from which Peque Fernandez scored the decisive goal. In just two games, the Sevilla summer signing is showing why the Andalucians were right to spend €9m on him in the first place.

Ure had his pick of various clubs across Europe this summer. The young forward was midway through a breakout season for Sirius in the Swedish Allsvenskan, scoring no fewer than 15 goals in just 15 appearances. His development had reached a point that a jump to a Big Five league was inevitable.

*Ure remains the top scorer in Sweden during the 2026 season*

Sevilla made sense as a destination for Ure after the departure of Akor Adams. The Spaniards were in the market for a new centre forward and the Scot ticked a lot of boxes as someone they could develop. If Sevilla’s model is to buy young and sell on for a profit, there is a lot of upside to Ure’s signing.

In Sweden, Ure was a force of nature. Standing at 6ft 2”, he has the physical frame to bully opposition defenders. His height also gives him an advantage in the air. By no means, though, is Ure a limited targetman. He is technically comfortable with the ball at his feet and is quick across the ground.

Most impressive about Ure is his knack for being in the right place at the right time. His penalty box instincts are sharp and have been honed over a number of years in the Rangers and Anderlecht academies. By the time Ure signed for Sirius, he was ready for the senior game. He’s the Highland Haaland.

Ure’s emergence comes at a time when new Scotland manager Sébastien Pocognoli wants to turn the national team into a pressing machine. The Belgian has spoken about his aim to adopt an attack-minded approach with Scotland set to face North Macedonia, Slovenia and Switzerland in the Nations League in the next month.

Ukraine have reportedly attempted to recruit Ure due to the player’s grandfather hailing from the country. Most, however, expect the 22-year-old to be included in Pocognoli’s first squad as Scotland boss with Ure boasting the sort of profile that could supercharge the new manager’s vision.

“My ambition is to play with Scotland one day,” said Ure when asked about his international allegiance. “But I have no stress for that situation. I feel like what I do at club level will give me the opportunities I deserve. There’s been contact [from Ukraine]. But it’s not a decision I would rush. I certainly feel I’d want to play for Scotland.”

Before Ure can truly claim to be the striker Scotland has waited a generation or two for, he must work hard to establish himself at Sevilla. As impactful as his first two games have been, manager Luis García Plaza will surely want more out of his new signing as a link up player and focal point.

As Ure gets used to his new teammates, the timings of his runs will almost certainly improve. García Plaza also highlighted how the Scot has struggled with the conditions in Spain. “In training the other day he was saying to me, ‘this heat is crazy!’ I mean, he’s just come from Sweden and he is not used to playing in these high temperatures,” said the Sevilla boss.

Sevilla host Atlético Madrid this weekend in what will be the next step of Ure’s development. After back-to-back victories to start the season, Sevilla will be underdogs against one of LaLiga’s strongest sides. If Ure had just 12 touches against Athletic Club, he might have even fewer against Atleti. These, however, are the games he has been signed for.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Aug

2026

FotMob Profile: Mamadou Sangare, Brentford’s new midfield wonder

In a move involving eight players and 15 passes, Brentford sliced Tottenham Hotspur apart for Keane Lewis-Potter’s 12th-minute opener in their first Premier League match of the season, with new signing Mamadou Sangaré at the heart of this devastating sequence.

By Alex Connor

The 24-year-old dribbled at Lucas Bergvall and played a slick one-two with Dango Ouattara, darting through a gap between Andy Robertson and Mathys Tel, before slipping a low pinpoint cross into Lewis-Potter, who calmly swept Brentford in front.

After joining the Bees from Lens for a club-record £41m earlier in the month, it was the perfect way to begin life in the Premier League. Brentford cruised to a resounding 3-0 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Sangaré featuring for 76 minutes and producing a dominant, all-encompassing, full-throttle midfield performance.

Sangaré’s physicality, defensive instincts and ball-carrying ability were particularly impressive throughout. Along with the assist, he created two chances, made six line-breaking passes, won six ground duels and registered 13 defensive contributions, including a whopping seven recoveries. It was a dream debut, where he bossed proceedings and completely upstaged Spurs’ lacklustre midfield, tormenting £100m club-record recruit Sandro Tonali.

The Mali international followed up this fluent top-flight display by also sparkling in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, coming on as a second-half substitute in Brentford’s 6-1 demolition of Birmingham City at St Andrews. For his side’s final goal, Mikkel Damsgaard eventually worked the ball to Sangaré, who confidently glided away from Jay Stansfield and floated an exquisite delivery into the box for captain Nathan Collins to nod in a header.

The excitement around Sangaré has been building following a superb season in France. He made 33 appearances for Les Sang et Or (The Blood and Gold) in all competitions as Lens jumped from eighth in the previous campaign to finish second in Ligue 1 – just six points adrift of table-toppers Paris Saint-Germain – to qualify for the Champions League, and won their first-ever Coupe de France title thanks to a 3-1 triumph over Nice in the final.

This silverware capped off a superb campaign for Sangaré. In Ligue 1, he won possession back for his side on more occasions than any of his positional peers (207), also ranking second for duels won (190) and tackles (86) across the whole league. Sangaré rightly scooped the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé, awarded to the best African player in the French top flight.

*Sangaré’s possession stats in Ligue 1 last season*

These defensive numbers have allowed Sangaré’s reputation to skyrocket as a midfield pivot. Still, former Mali manager Tom Saintfiet notes that his “multifunctional qualities” allow him to play anywhere in midfield and in more attacking areas, making him such a versatile, all-round player. We have first-hand evidence of exactly what Saintfiet was alluding to in Sangaré’s pivotal role in Lewis-Potter’s strike against Spurs and Collins’ header in midweek.

Unquestionably, Sangaré has translated this commanding form over to English football. He has enjoyed a humble and understated rise to the Premier League spotlight. After a series of loans while on the books at Red Bull Salzburg between 2020 and 2024, and solitary seasons at Rapid Wien and Lens, Sangaré seems to be relishing his newfound status and importance in West London.

Speaking to the club’s official media about Sangare’s arrival, head coach Keith Andrews said “he fits everything we want from a Brentford player, on and off the pitch.” The Bees’ willingness to spend a club-record fee illustrates their unwavering belief in Sangaré’s ability.

Brentford appears to be the perfect environment to develop – a stable, high-achieving club that has fostered such a positive culture, away from the crippling pressure that any of the ‘Big Six’ are guaranteed to attract. If Sangaré then consistently performs as Brentford have envisioned, they could be set to make an extraordinary profit if they receive an irresistible offer. It seems almost ridiculous to preempt Sangaré’s departure, given he’s only been at the club a matter of weeks, but the transfer market’s current flex indicates the cost of Premier League-proven players has risen exponentially. Next summer, Sangaré could enter this category.

*Sangaré’s player traits compared to similar players in top five leagues*

Last season, Brentford narrowly missed out on Conference League football on goal difference at the expense of Brighton after drawing 1-1 with Liverpool on the final day, despite the Seagulls losing 3-0 to Manchester United. Europe painfully and annoyingly slipped through Brentford’s grasp, with Andrews’ men winning just one of their last 10 league matches. Therefore, the aim for this current campaign is clear. Could Sangaré be the added component to take Brentford into Europe for the first time?

Sangaré’s arrival, combined with other astute signings such as Callum Wilson and Jaidon Anthony, means that Brentford are very well prepared for what is to come. With other top-eight competitors including Bournemouth and Sunderland having to deal with midweek European fixtures, there is a serious opportunity for Brentford’s current squad to make history.

Given the eye-watering amounts other clubs have splashed on midfielders, Sangaré’s modest transfer fee could be considered a bargain in the current market. There’s the obvious caveat that we’re still in the early stages of Sangaré’s Brentford career. Time will ultimately tell. However, the first few snippets of his talent are more than encouraging and Brentford look to have uncovered a real gem.

(Images via IMAGO)

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