Page 43 – The Pulse of Football

Feb

2026

Luka Vušković: The Premier League’s next great defender lighting up the Bundesliga

The Premier League aficionados among us have been treated to some wonderful centre-backs throughout the years.

From the halcyon days of the 90s featuring no-nonsense defenders Steve Bruce, Tony Adams and Paul McGrath to the noughties, where the likes of John Terry, Nemanja Vidić and Rio Ferdinand took the art of defending to a new level.

Now, Marc Guéhi and William Saliba perhaps lead the newest generation, where being comfortable on the ball and defending in one-on-one situations are prerequisites for success in the top flight.

The question is, who is going to break through and become the next great Premier League centre-back?

Luka Vušković could be the very man, or boy, given the fact he is only 18. The Croatian defender was signed by Tottenham Hotspur back in the summer of 2023 from Hajduk Split, eventually linking up with the North Londoners last summer.

*Vušković’s player traits compared with other centre backs in top 5 leagues*

He was immediately sent out on loan to Hamburg, however, despite scoring against Reading in a pre-season friendly.

The move to the Bundesliga has proved to be an inspirational decision, with Vušković demonstrating his vast talents in one of the best leagues on the continent.

Why is everyone talking about Luka Vušković?

The 18-year-old has taken to the German top flight with ease, starting all but one of Hamburg’s league games so far this season.

He has already scored four goals this term, with the latest effort coming against Bayern Munich. Indeed, this goal sealed a share of the spoils against the runaway leaders and it led to some interesting praise from a German footballing icon in the process.

“It’s not just about winning headers and tackles or scoring goals: he’s somebody who can organise a defence. That’s something you find very rarely,” said Lothar Matthäus, who won the 1990 World Cup for his country.

Harry Kane may have gotten on the scoresheet, but the Englishman didn’t have it all his own way during the tie, especially coming up against Vušković.

The defender made seven clearances throughout the game, ranking first in this metric, while also winning 75% of his aerial duels.

No mean feat against a Bayern side who are strolling to yet another Bundesliga title. Before that match, the Bavarian outfit had dropped points in just three league matches.

*Vušković’s defensive numbers in the Bundesliga this season*

Vušković displayed maturity well beyond his teenage years against the European heavyweights, something which clearly impressed Matthäus, who is predicting a bright future ahead.

“He’s 18 years old, but he’s playing with the cool head of someone who has played at three World Cups and won two Champions League titles,” added the former Bayern midfielder.

Prior to the clash against Bayern, the teenager excelled in the derby against FC St. Pauli, helping his side keep a clean sheet. With a game-leading 15 defensive contributions, Vušković finished the match with a FotMob rating of 8.3, the highest of the match.

In the German top flight this season, Vušković ranks third for aerial duels won (101), along with ranking second for clearances (151), which works out as 8.4 per 90 domestically.

Not content with just offering solidity at the heart of the defence, the Croatian youngster has proven to be excellent in an attacking sense.

Among his peers, he ranks in the top 10% for chances created (8), and in the top 1% for both goals (4) and successful dribble percentage, indicating how effective he is in the final third for Hamburg.

Despite being contracted to Spurs until 2030, his performances for Hamburg this season could potentially lead to some interest in the defender this summer.

*Vušković’s shooting numbers in the Bundesliga this season*

Although Spurs have sacked Thomas Frank, whoever takes the reigns of the club will surely be keen to keep a hold of the youngster, especially as he could make a massive impact next season.

What Vušković will offer Spurs

As evidenced by his displays throughout 2025/26, Vušković is equally adept at dominating opposition forwards while also creating attacks from his own half and moving the ball forward.

Spurs are certainly crying out for a player who can do both. In the Premier League this term, the North Londoners have conceded 37 goals. Only six teams have conceded more in the league, with four of them sitting below them in the table.

Compared to fellow Spurs centre-backs Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, the Hamburg loanee is better across several metrics.

Indeed, the Croatian sensation has recorded a higher aerial duel success percentage, more clearances, and take on success percentage compared to the Spurs trio this term.

Could this mean, then, that the teenager would be able to command a place in the starting XI when he returns to England following the end of his loan spell at Hamburg?

*Vušković’s possession numbers in the Bundesliga this season*

There are several variables at play in that regard. One being who becomes the next manager of Spurs.

A coach with progressive ideas on how his centre-backs play could work wonders for Vušković, especially regarding his long-term future at the club.

With two caps for his country already, could impressive performances at the 2026 World Cup also boost his reputation?

First of all, he must make the squad, and secondly, if he does book a ticket on the plan, just how much he will play in North America?

At the 2022 World Cup, Joško Gvardiol was only 20 and entered the tournament with a reputation as one of the finest young defenders in the World.

He played every minute of Croatia’s seven games in Qatar, even scoring in the third-place playoff to ensure his nation sealed bronze medals.

Vušković has the ability to make a similar sort of impact. If so, the Premier League could be about to witness the birth of its next great centre-back.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Feb

2026

Ademola Lookman: Atletico Madrid’s new talisman, ready for a fresh challenge

Ademola Lookman’s first two games for Atletico Madrid have generated mixed results, but one thing is clear: the club needs him, and the stage is set for the Nigerian forward to become a headline act.

By Alex Connor

Lookman’s career had temporarily stalled at Atalanta, as his relationship with the club deteriorated beyond the point of no return. The €35 million February move to the Spanish capital is the stepping stone for Lookman to elevate his career to the next level. Atleti’s shortcomings, weighed against the attacker’s quality and ambitions, make this an ideal marriage, from which both parties can massively benefit.

Last Thursday, Lookman enjoyed a dreamy debut in the 5-0 Copa del Rey quarter-final victory over Real Betis, recording a goal and an assist. However, Sunday’s disappointing 1-0 LaLiga loss against the same opponents has left Diego Simeone’s men in third place, 13 points behind league leaders Barcelona.

Lookman was involved in everything during the cup thrashing of Betis at Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla. He squandered an early chance when he side-footed a half-volley over the bar. For Atleti’s second goal, Lookman dropped in deeper and slipped a ball into the advancing Matteo Ruggeri’s path, and he teed up Giuliano Simeone for a close-range finish.

He then showcased his blistering pace, initiating a counter-attack. Lookman played a one-two with Pablo Barrios before cutting inside two Betis men and steering a composed effort into the bottom corner. Lookman turned provider in the second half, setting up Antoine Griezmann on the counter to net the fourth.

In 79 minutes, Lookman registered two goal contributions, five shots, three successful dribbles and created one chance. He supplied 1.24 xG (expected goals) of his side’s total 2.95 xG, missing two big chances. Luckily, Lookman’s wastefulness wasn’t punished due to Atleti’s dominance, and he rectified these errors with his direct dribbling, usefulness on the counter, and the ability to link up with his teammates.

It was Atleti’s biggest margin of victory this season. No one was surprised. These are the standards that Lookman has set himself. He bagged a hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League Final, ending Atalanta’s 61-year wait for silverware, was named African Footballer of the Year a few months later, and has hit double figures for goals in three successive Serie A seasons between 2022 and 2025.

However, Betis took their revenge and ruined his home debut at Estadio Metropolitano, beating Atleti 1-0 at the weekend. Lookman started up top with Julián Alvarez. The pair offered sporadic moments of attacking threat in the first half, with Lookman firing wide from Alvarez’s pass, before the former Atalanta man slid in a ball for the Argentine, whose near-post strike was saved. At the end of the first half, Lookman headed in Marcos Llorente’s cross, but he was offside.

This defeat ended Atleti’s 10-match winning run at home in the league, but poses wider questions regarding their misfiring forward line. Simeone said that this side “struggles against teams that play deep” and “lack clarity in attack.” The manager labelled it a “major weakness.”

Lookman is the answer. The 28-year-old isn’t a youngster short of experience. He’s an established, proven professional who can breathe fresh life into Atleti’s stuttering attack. Alvarez hasn’t scored in LaLiga since 1st November 2025, while the ageing Griezmann has also only managed five league starts. Alexander Sørloth is a functional striker but has limitations. He benefits from a mobile strike partner who can make runs, stretch defences, and create space.

After a meteoric rise since joining Atalanta in 2022, the last 12 months have been tricky for Lookman. In February 2025, he missed a penalty in the second leg of a Champions League knockout play-off tie against Club Brugge. This prompted manager Gian Piero Gasperini to describe him as “one of the worst penalty takers” he has seen. Lookman responded and said his comments were “disrespectful.”

The relationship between Lookman and Atalanta became even more strained when a move to Inter Milan failed in the summer. He was eventually reintegrated into the first team, but the damage had been done. In November, a heated touchline confrontation with Ivan Jurić during his substitution in the Champions League against Marseille was the final straw.

Joining Atleti is a new beginning for Lookman. A shortened Serie A season has yielded just two goals in 12 appearances (nine starts). Nevertheless, he still ranks within the top 11% for chances created per 90 (1.92), successful crosses per 90 (0.68), successful dribbles per 90 (1.81), and touches in the opposition box per 90 (7.45) in these outings. Lookman’s three goals and four assists in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign further indicate he remains a player brimming with confidence and the ability to spearhead a team.

There is pressure on Lookman to adapt instantly. Following his first outing for Atleti, Simeone remarked on how he’s a “big guy” who will “make us better.” The recent Champions League loss at home to Bodø/Glimt meant that Atleti had to settle for the knockout play-offs, and with a credible LaLiga title challenge now seemingly out of reach, they are a side in need of inspiration.

Atleti and Simeone have turned to Lookman, who has been parachuted in as the saviour. Lookman can be the club’s answer to finding some elusive consistency and possesses the tools to emerge as the new talisman.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Feb

2026

Preview: Arsenal out to defend their advantage away to Brentford

How fast pressure and possibility can swing in the Premier League. Last weekend Arsenal faced the prospect of a nine-point lead at the top; heading into their match at Brentford, it’s just a clench-inducing three.

By Karl Matchett

February and March has more than once been the Gunners’ undoing when it comes to fighting for recent titles, so given the routine-looking fixtures they face in the coming weeks, finding wins is all that matters. Job done against Sunderland, but Brentford have one of the better home records in the league this term.

Attacking variance

One massive boost for Arsenal’s hopes of powering their way through any lingering uncertainty will be over the timely return to fitness or form of a host of attacking talents.

Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have scored five goals between them in the past month after having had long-term injuries – both No. 9 options, but also both able to contribute from other areas when the Gunners need to go in full attack mode or are switching up their usual wide options. Viktor Gyökeres too, much maligned for a lack of clinical touch so far this term, has netted against each of Chelsea, Inter, Kairat, Leeds and Sunderland in that period. Whether it’s a flat-track bully style false start or the real deal for the Swedish striker, the fact he’s hitting the back of the net will raise confidence and competition for places alike – the latter likely most important when it comes to a three-month run-in for major honours.

Added to all this, Bukayo Saka should be back involved at Brentford, after missing the last three.

Home comforts

For Brentford, the prospect of points in this game comes in the fact they’ve been so strong at the Gtech Community Stadium – which makes the recent reversal to Nottingham Forest all the more surprising. Prior to that only Man City had won there this term, with Chelsea and Aston Villa held and each of Liverpool, Man United and Newcastle soundly beaten.

It’s unlikely to be a happy homecoming for Christian Nørgaard, meanwhile; the former Brentford midfielder has played only 32 minutes in the league for Arsenal since his £15m move, the lowest amount of any player other than Max Dowman, who was 15 when the season started.

The Bees sit a thoroughly impressive seventh in the table but Europe has to be a target now.

*Brentford’s home and away points breakdown*

Recent form

Five wins in the last seven in all competitions highlights how strong Brentford remain but this is still a new type of challenge – Arsenal have seven wins from the last nine and only one defeat since early December.

Team news

Reiss Nelson is ineligible as he’s on loan from the Gunners, while Kevin Schade is suspended. Martin Ødegaard should be back but Mikel Merino is out.

Key player

Caoimhin Kelleher has a 67% save rate, the same as David Raya, though is at -2.5 goals prevented versus his shots faced xG…again, like Raya (-2.6). His three penalty saves is a league high.

Prediction

Tough one to call given the Bees’ home form, but a title is a mighty motivator: Brentford 1-2 Arsenal.

(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.

Feb

2026

Bruno Fernandes, FotMob’s top rated player in the Premier League season so far

Ruben Amorim didn’t get much right as Manchester United boss. The Portuguese tactician was hired in November 2024 and dismissed in January 2026. During this time, he guided the Red Devils to a 15th placed finish and crashed out of the Carabao Cup to Grimsby Town. His managerial approach seemed to divide opinion. Those struggling under the former Sporting boss have looked like completely different players under interim manager Michael Carrick.

By Sam McGuire

But he did get one thing right though. During the summer transfer window, Saudi club Al-Hilal wanted Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes. They would’ve paid an eye-watering fee for the playmaker and made him one of the highest paid footballers in the world.

Fernandes has spoken openly about this situation previously and he made a point that it was Amorim who urged him to remain at Old Trafford. Speaking to Canal 11, a channel owned by the Portuguese Football Federation, the 31-year-old said: “From the club I felt it was, ‘If you go it’s not so bad for us’. It hurts me a bit. More than hurting me, it makes me sad. I’m a player that no-one can criticise, I’m always available, I always give my best.

“I could have left in this transfer window, I would have earned much more money. I would have won many trophies this season, but I decided not to go, not only for family reasons but because I genuinely love the club.

“The club wanted me to leave. I told the directors that, I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision because the manager wanted me. But if I said I wanted to leave, even with the manager wanting me to stay, the club would let me.”

*Fernandes player traits compared to similar players in top 5 leagues*

Fernandes is a key reason the Red Devils are in contention for a top four finish this term. United find themselves fourth right now and rank joint-top of the form table with 13 points from a possible 15. At the time of writing, Carrick’s men are six points clear of sixth-placed Liverpool and one clear of Chelsea. They’re also just five points behind second-placed Manchester City.

The United No. 8 hasn’t single-handedly transformed the season for United, but he’s played a significant role. Since the turn of the year, Fernandes has five assists and one goal across his seven appearances. The five-match unbeaten run for the Red Devils has seen their skipper assist in wins over Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham. He netted in the win over Spurs. His only blank was in the 1-1 draw with West Ham United.

It’s surely just a coincidence that Carrick’s winning run halts in the first game his skipper fails to get a goal or an assist.

Fernandes’ good form extends beyond this spell though. The 85-cap international, who registered his 200th goal involvement for United against Spurs, has, once again, put himself in the Player of the Year conversation. Yes, the award is usually given to a player from the title-winning team, but exceptions can be made for exceptional campaigns. And Fernandes’ 2025/26 season is on the brink of falling into such a category.

The 31-year-old leads the way for assists with 12, he’s a considerable distance ahead of Rayan Cherki in second spot with seven. Only Erling Haaland (27) has more goal involvements to his name than the United skipper (18). It is Fernandes with the highest average FotMob rating in the English top-flight (7.98), an even more impressive feat when you consider he’s playing for an inconsistent United team.

He is first for big chances created with 18, he leads the way for chances created with 78 and he tops the charts for Expected Assists with 6.7. To really hammer home how impressive these numbers actually are, Declan Rice is second for chances created with 47. Yes, Fernandes is the main man for United but to be 31 clear of your closest rival for this particular metric is ridiculous.

This is the norm for Fernandes though. The last time he didn’t rank first for chances created was during the 2021/22 campaign when he finished one behind Trent Alexander-Arnold. And that was arguably Alexander-Arnold’s best ever season for Liverpool creatively.

Had United cashed in on their playmaker this season, who knows where they’d find themselves in the Premier League right now. He’s been a revelation for the Red Devils under both Amorim and Carrick. He’s played his part in getting them into this position.

If they see it out and claim a top four finish just 12 months after finishing 15th, it’d arguably be Fernandes greatest ever campaign for the club.

(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.

Feb

2026

Gianluigi Donnarumma could prove to be City’s best signing of the season

By demonstrating his shot-stopping ability Gianluigi Donnarumma is proving why Manchester City signed him in the first place.

By Graham Ruthven

Sunday’s match at Anfield will live long in the memory. For various reasons. For Dominik Szoboszlai’s chaotic red card and Rayan Cherki’s disallowed goal right at the end. For Szoboszlai’s freekick stunner. For Manchester City’s late comeback that just about keeps this season’s Premier League title race alive.

There was another moment, however, that was just as crucial to the final outcome even if it got somewhat lost in the mayhem. Had it not been for Gianluigi Donnarumma’s save to prevent Alexis Mac Allister making it 2-2, Liverpool might have reduced a point and Arsenal would be champions in-waiting.

*The shot map for Donnarumma’s special save*

Pep Guardiola knew how special the Italian’s save was, recreating his gogo gadget arm reaching up to palm Mac Allister’s shot over the bar and keep Manchester City in the lead in an image that went viral. It was a stop that only a handful of goalkeepers in the world would have been able to pull off.

Questions were asked when City moved to sign Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain last summer. While nobody doubted the Italian’s shot-stopping, particularly after helping PSG to Champions League glory last season, he is a very different mould of goalkeeper to the kind usually favoured by Guardiola.

Ederson was the perfect goalkeeper for Manchester City’s style of play. Not only could the Brazilian be counted on to keep the ball out the back of the net, he was extremely comfortable on the ball and was frequently the first line of possession when City constructed sequences from the defence.

Guardiola more than once mentioned how Ederson could hold his own in Manchester City’s midfield while Manuel Akanji revealed he was one of the best penalty takers at the club. It could be argued that Ederson epitomised Guardiola’s outlook on the game better than anyone at the Etihad Stadium ever did.

At Bayern Munich, Guardiola had Manuel Neuer as one of the most modern goalkeepers of his generation while Victor Valdes was similarly known for how comfortable he was in possession. The likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and the rest needed to know their goalkeeper could play a pass.

This, however, has always been Donnarumma’s biggest weakness. He’s not like Ederson, Neuer or Valdes. Instead, he’s closer to someone like Thibaut Courtois whose one and only job is to make saves. That is also Donnarumma’s role for Manchester City and that signifies an ideological change for Guardiola.

Only David Raya has kept more clean sheets than Donnarumma in the Premier League this season with the Italian also ranked in the top four for save percentage. Manchester City’s Expected Goals Difference is the second-best in the English top flight and Donnarumma deserves his share of the credit for that.

City are in a state of transition. This season might come too early for Guardiola’s team to clinch another Premier League title even if Sunday’s comeback win at Anfield kept them in contention for a while longer. It’s with this transition and squad rebuild that Manchester City might have signed Donnarumma to be their safety net.

While City have made clear progress this season, bringing in the likes of Rayan Cherki, Tijani Reijnders, and Antoine Semenyo to strengthen, their weakness in defensive transition is exposed every so often. Defensive injuries to Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol haven’t helped them achieve stability at the back.

Of course, James Trafford started the 2025/26 season as City’s number one. When it became apparent, however, that the 23-year-old lacked the experience to hold such a pressurised position the Etihad Stadium club moved quickly to land Donnarumma when Luis Enrique decided he wanted a more modern goalkeeper.

With Donnarumma between the posts, though, Manchester City have one of the best goalkeepers in the world as a brick wall when all else in front of him has failed. It’s partly because of this that Guardiola and his players were able to leave Merseyside with all three points on Sunday.

Donnarumma has more weaknesses to his game than just his possession play. For someone of his size and frame, the 26-year-old is surprisingly shaky from set pieces. Opponents have tried, and succeeded more than once, to unsettle him when slinging crosses into the Manchester City box.

As long as City can play to Donnarumma’s strengths and not his weaknesses, though, they have someone who can make the difference for them in the biggest matches, just as he did against Liverpool. There will be more saves like the one that had Guardiola flattering his goalkeeper through imitation.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

Feb

2026

FotMob Interview: We speak to Spurs stars Tinka Tandberg and Hanna Wijk

“I am getting goosebumps when I’m walking out [on to the pitch,” Cathinka ‘Tikka’ Tandberg says after heading through the tunnel of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time. “It’s like a dream come true. It’s an unbelievable stadium.”

By Girls On The Ball

Sitting down with the young Norwegian forward ahead of Sunday’s league encounter with Chelsea, the newfound excitement and energy that has encompassed the club this season is palpable. For of the many stories that have already emerged across the Barclays WSL over the last few months, the transformation that has been happening at Spurs is one of the most notable.

After a woeful 2024/2025 campaign that saw them finish 11th and possess the joint-second leakiest defence (44 goals), it was clear that a change of direction was needed both on and off the pitch if they were to realise their ambitions. Robert Vilahamn was sacked in June and Martin Ho, a highly-rated young manager, arrived a month later just ahead of pre-season. After three years in an assistant role at Manchester United, he had spent the last two seasons managing SK Brann in the Toppserien (Norway’s first division) where he led the Bergen-based outfit to the Champions League quarterfinals.

In addition, the arrival of Vinai Venkatesham as the club’s Chief Executive in April 2025 was another sign of positive change. He spent 14 years as CEO of Arsenal and was widely lauded for his consistent support for and impact on the women’s team.

Tandberg was his second of two signings in the summer transfer window as he settled into his new surroundings. For the 21-year-old, a life-long Tottenham Hotspur fan, the decision was simple.

“It’s been really easy to settle in here,” she says. I’m enjoying every day, every training. I’m living my childhood dream. I love being here and playing in front of these fans. I just feel I haven’t even started yet so I’m looking forward to the future.”

“Since I was young, I’ve been to White Hart Lane with my Dad. One of my favourite players played here before so when Spurs came, there was no doubt… My Dad is buzzing. He was like, “You can’t choose something else. You have to choose Spurs.”

She wasted little time in announcing herself to the Tottenham supporters, scoring an audacious 40-yard effort against Everton in the second game of the season to open her account, a goal that she calls “a little teaser” of what is to come.

Tandberg isn’t the only Scandinavian to come to England. In the recent transfer window, the Damallsvenskan became one of the most fruitful sources of new players for the WSL and is held in high regard by managers across the league. Of Ho’s four permanent signings in January, three arrived from Sweden’s top league and the other – Norway’s rising star Signe Gaupset – from the Toppserien.

Hanna Wijk was amongst them, arriving from BK Häcken where she had spent the last six seasons.

“Häcken has been a big part of my development and that’s why I’m here today,” the 22-year-old full-back says of her former club. “I’m really happy for everything Häcken has done for me. I think the Swedish league is a really good place for players to grow and develop and then move abroad.”

Tandberg echoes this thought, viewing the Damallsvenskan as an important stepping stone to prepare her to compete at the top of the sport.

“For me, it was perfect to go to the Swedish league to get confidence and goals,” she says. It’s been very important to take the right steps and not to jump from a small step to a big step. At the age I am, I need to play and that has been the most important thing for me.”

The pull of the Barclays WSL and the challenges it brings against some of the world’s best players was a factor in both their decisions to move to England.

“The games are very competitive and also the league is so tough,” Wijk remarks. “You have to give 100% every game. You have to be at your best every week. As a footballer, that is what you want.”

Ho’s approach and the club’s ambitions were also key for both when choosing their next career move. The 35-year-old wants his team to control the football, attack with intensity and confidence, press high but also be diligent and hardworking out of possession.

“He wants the team to be free but also have principles to follow so that it’s clear for everyone,” Wijk states. “Also that they work a lot with the player one-on-one. That’s a big part for me.”

It has reaped rewards. Tottenham sit comfortably in fifth in the Barclays WSL, just four points off Chelsea who are occupying the final Champions League spot. They currently have the fifth highest average possession (51.8%), expected goals (19.9) and goals per match (1.3) and are third for clean sheets (5). It, of course, has not been perfect but there are clear signs that they are moving in the right direction. Against Chelsea last Sunday, they were arguably the better team for much of the first half before falling to a 2-0 defeat.

Champions League qualification is probably too soon in their journey which is at the very beginning under Ho. Mounting a serious challenge to the more-experienced teams this time out is perhaps unlikely but, whatever happens, there is no doubt that this campaign will be viewed as a success, a springboard for the years to come.

(Images from Girls on the Ball, with additional images from IMAGO)

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Feb

2026

Preview: Liverpool head to the Stadium of Light for Sunderland clash

Liverpool travel to Wearside on Wednesday knowing a defeat would see the hosts join the Reds on 39 points. Yes, with 12 games left to play this season, Sunderland could find themselves on par with the reigning Premier League champions.

By Sam McGuire

The story so far

It really has been feast or famine for Liverpool this season.

They started out with a five match winning streak in the Premier League before losing nine of 12. Arne Slot got their season back on track by masterminding a 13-match unbeaten run across all competitions prior to the 3-2 loss to Bournemouth. The Reds bounced back with an emphatic 4-1 win over Newcastle United before another injury time defeat to Manchester City last time out.

This inconsistency in the Premier League is the reason they find themselves closer to the relegation zone (13 points clear of 18th-placed West Ham United) than they do to league leaders Arsenal (17 points).

The Reds have struggled against teams who like to sit deep this term. Slot has referenced it in a number of press conferences and the numbers tally up with it too. Liverpool rank top for possession (62%), but are sixth for goals, seventh for Expected Goals, and seventh for Big Chances Created. The Premier League champions have a lot of the ball but don’t really know what to do with it.

And that, like it or not, is a coaching issue.

By comparison, Sunderland are having an unbelievable season. Plenty tipped them to return to the Championship but with 25 games played, they find themselves in ninth position, just seven points behind fifth placed Chelsea.

The Black Cats lost last time out, suffering a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal, but they’ve had a number of decent results recently, including a draw with Everton and wins over Burnley and Crystal Palace. At home this term, Régis Le Bris’ side rank fourth in the English top flight having claimed 26 points from their 12 matches.

Only Manchester United (27), Manchester City (29) and Arsenal (32) have picked up more points in front of home fans this season.

In fact, Sunderland are the only undefeated team at home. They’ve only given up nine goals across their 12 outings. The Stadium of Light is a fortress for the Black Cats. For a little more context here, Liverpool have won just four of their 12 away fixtures this season.

Key Players

For the hosts, the key man could well be Habib Diarra. He was the most fouled player (four) in the loss to Arsenal and he caught the eye in the win over Burnley with a goal.

The 22-year-old will likely start on the right and he’ll come up against one of Milos Kerkez or Andrew Robertson. His direct style and aggressive nature will see him cause problems for whoever starts at left-back for the Reds.

For the visitors, all eyes will be on their attackers. Slot will likely name an unchanged front four of Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike. The Dutchman doesn’t have any other options really with Alexander Isak and Jeremie Frimpong out injured and Dominik Szoboszlai suspended. One of that quartet is going to have to step up and dominate if Liverpool are going to get anything from this game. They did it against Newcastle but struggled against Man City.

Team News

Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are ruled out for the season for Liverpool while Stefan Bajčetić, Frimpiong and Isak are out for the foreseeable future. Joe Gomez is back in training after a stint on the sidelines while Szobioszlai is ruled out for this game following his dismissal against City at Anfield.

For Sunderland, Le Bris is without skipper Granit Xhaka until later in the month while Bertrand Traoré is also missing. Other than that though, the hosts have a full squad to choose from.

Prediction

We’re going with a score draw.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Feb

2026

Preview: Manchester City keen to preserve impeccable record against Fulham

Pep Guardiola has gotten the better of Fulham in each of his previous 14 meetings with them. Manchester City will need to keep that streak going as they look to stay in touch with Arsenal in the title race.

By Neel Shelat

City’s head-to-head dominance

Manchester City’s winning streak against Fulham spans beyond Pep Guardiola’s tenure. They have won each of the last 19 matches between the two teams, going back all the way to 2011. In fact, this is the longest winning run by a team against any opposition in English football history.

City’s attack has a particularly great time against the Cottagers, as they have scored 59 goals at an average of over 3.1 per game in this streak. This match should be no different, as the hosts have the best attack in the league to go up against one of the worse defences in the division.

Fulham’s slump after a successful festive period

Fulham shot up into the top half of the Premier League table with an excellent run of results around Christmas and the New Year. They picked up 11 points in five matches over 16 days, remaining unbeaten despite facing the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea.

So congested are the standings that Marco Silva’s side would have been in the mix for the top six had they preserved that momentum, but that was not to be. Instead, they have lost three of their last four games by giving up very late goals on each occasion, thus dropping back to the cusp of the bottom half.

Team news

Manchester City’s defensive injury crisis is showing no signs of easing up. Rúben Dias’ return in the last match was offset by Abdukodir Khusanov suffering a concussion, which is expected to keep him out for this game. Fellow centre-backs John Stones and Joško Gvardiol won’t feature either, while Mateo Kovačić, Jérémy Doku and Savinho also remain unavailable.

Fulham will only have a couple of absences to contend with. Saša Lukić’s hamstring injury keeps him out, while captain Tom Cairney is listed as doubtful.

Key players

Erling Haaland has yet to score an open-play goal in domestic competitions 10 matches into 2026, but he could well end the drought against Fulham. The Norwegian striker has seven goals in as many appearances against the Cottagers, including a hat-trick at home a couple of seasons ago.

Bernardo Silva has been on the scoresheet in each of City’s last three league games, so he will definitely be one to watch. Guardiola’s side have only kept one league clean sheet since New Year’s Day, so January signing Marc Guéhi could play a pivotal role in getting a second.

Jorge Cuenca will have the unenviable task of dealing with Haaland, so he will need to put in a big shift if Fulham are to get anything from this game. Silva will look to his wingers to make an impact at the other end, as Samuel Chukwueze’s dribbling and Harry Wilson’s long shooting are capable of causing problems for any opponent.

*Wilson’s shot map in the Premier League*

Prediction

Although it has not been all smooth sailing for Manchester City in recent weeks, they should be able to extend their winning streak over Fulham to 20 games fairly comfortably.

(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.

Feb

2026

Have Bournemouth done it again with Rayan signing?

For clubs like Bournemouth, recruitment is arguably the most important part of the game. They’re not making much money from their 11,307-seater stadium, merchandising, or sponsorships, so they need to find it elsewhere.

By Alex Roberts

Signing the right players is now a science rather than having one old fella that gets sent to grounds up and down the country, smoking a cigarette in the stands hoping to find a talent that stands out enough to be worth a punt.

Last summer, Andoni Iraola’s side was gutted. Milos Kerkez moved to Liverpool, Dean Huijsen got his dream move to Real Madrid, Ilya Zabarnyi headed to Paris Saint-Germain, and Dango Ouattara went to fellow recruitment specialists Brentford.

Replacements came in, and at the start of the season, Bournemouth were looking like genuine contenders for European football. Performances fell of over the festive period, but they’ve now picked up and Iraola’s side have steadied.

When Antoine Semenyo joined Man City for a reported £65 million fee in early January, Bournemouth earned around £55 million in profit. Some of that needed to be reinvested in order to help replace the winger’s numbers, but not all of it.

Bournemouth landed on Rayan, a 19-year-old that was ripping it up for Vasco Da Gama in his native Brazil. The forward wasn’t exactly an unknown, in fact he had been linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe before his move to the South Coast.

*Rayan’s recent career history – including last year with Vasco*

From a tactical standpoint, it’s easy to see why Bournemouth were willing to spend around £30 million, including add-ons, on Rayan. Iraola’s side are chaotic, playing an incredibly high line and thriving in transition.

Rayan isn’t the typical Brazilian winger you see when you close your eyes. Fully aware of how strong and quick he is, Rayan will use that physicality to his advantage to beat defenders rather than rely on tricks.

He moves like an assassin, one second, he’s there, the next he’s gone. Rayan’s assist for Alex Scott’s 91^st minute goal on his debut in the 2-0 win over Wolves demonstrates that perfectly.

As Wolves pushed for an equaliser, which they would have probably deserved, Bournemouth were more than happy to hit them on the counter, and Wolves ultimately paid the price.

Rayan receives the ball from Adrien Truffert under pressure from Wolves midfielder João Gomes. Gomes is all over him, but Rayan’s turn gave him a couple of inches to beat his fellow Brazilian, and by then it was too late.

The new Bournemouth man powered towards the byline and found Scott, who simply couldn’t miss from such close range. That was Rayan to a tee. Players will try to dispossess him, but Rayan will just shrug them off and keep going.

That was the second and final chance created by Rayan in his 22 minutes on the pitch, only Amine Adli, who he replaced, created more (3). Of course, playing against tired legs as the game opened up will have played a big part in that.

After the Wolves win, Bournemouth had registered seven counter attacking goals, the most in the Premier League in 2025-26. in the 2025 Brasileirao campaign, only Cruzeiro’s Kaio Jorge (5), scored more than Rayan (4). Starting to see why this is good recruitment?

Iraola handed Rayan his full debut against Aston Villa following his impressive cameo against Wolves. Morgan Rogers gave the visitors the lead after 22 minutes, and Bournemouth were in need of a forward stepping up.

Rayan did just that, via some pretty confusing defending from Villa. Playing on the right rather than the left, where he made his debut, Rayan had acres of space to run into before finding himself in the opposition box. He struck the ball low and true, leaving Emi Martínez with no chance.

He’s not perfect. Being somewhat of an unknown quantity has certainly helped him, it was clear that the Villa defenders didn’t know how to approach defending against him, whether they should close him down or let him run. People should know that they need to stand him up now, though.

Like so many young forwards, his end product isn’t quite there yet. Looking at his stats during Vasco da Gama’s 2025 league campaign, while he was their top scorer with 14 in 34, his creative numbers were poor.

He created just one chance per 90 and despite his ability on the ball, he averaged just one completed take-on per 90. Bournemouth play very open football, so this should suit them just fine, but should they come up against a side that prefers to sit players behind the ball, he may struggle.

*Rayan’s creative stats in Brazil last season*

Of course, he’s a young lad, stuff like that can be taught, and Iraola is one of the better coaches in the league. Making the step up from Brazilian club football to English is a tall order, but it’s not impossible to continue his impressive start.

Comparisons with another young Brazilian winger who recently moved to England are inevitable. Estêvão has made a lightning quick start to his Chelsea career, he may not be posting Lamine Yamal level numbers (yet), but he’s still contributing at an elite level.

After a summer that saw Bournemouth lose so many young stars, they’ve managed to find more. Eli Junior Kroupi is the most notable, but Veljko Milosavljević, Álex Jiménez, and fellow January signing Alex Tóth all have huge futures.

It’s been reported that Rayan has an £86 million release clause in his Bournemouth contract. Unless the club gets bought out by a sugar daddy, the plan is, ultimately, to sell him on for a huge profit. Rinse and repeat.

That’s not a bad thing. Until Bournemouth increase revenue elsewhere, it’s the only real way to continue a healthy cash flow. For now, Cherries fans should enjoy the fact they have such a sensational player on their hands.

(Images from IMAGO)

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Feb

2026

Preview: Form teams West Ham and Man United meet in London

West Ham and Manchester United go head-to-head at the London Stadium on Tuesday evening, surprisingly as two of the most in-form sides in the Premier League.

By Matt Smith

That’s undoubtedly something both sets of supporters might not have expected to happen just a few weeks ago, but they’ve turned things around of late.

When these two sides met earlier in the season, West Ham secured a late equaliser to draw 1-1 thanks to a late Soungoutou Magassa equaliser.

Team news

Nuno Espírito Santo will be without Jean-Clair Todibo once again, after he remains suspended following his red card against Chelsea. Lukasz Fabianski will also miss out, while the West Ham boss confirmed he will be without multiple other players, but he refused to name them in his press conference.

Patrick Dorgu, Matthijs De Ligt, and Mason Mount are all likely to miss out once again for the away side, but Michael Carrick didn’t report any fresh injury concerns heading into this game.

Nuno has West Ham ticking

To be sat in fourth position in the Premier League form table when you’re fighting to stay in the division is a hugely positive sign for the Hammers. At one point, Nuno’s side looked down and out, but he’s starting to get a tune out of his players at an important time.

Unfortunately for them, they face the most in-form side in the Premier League at the weekend. Despite their recent results, West Ham have struggled at home of late, with only Crystal Palace and Burnley picking up fewer points on their own turf in the last six matches.

Man Utd benefiting from Carrick alteration

Since Michael Carrick arrived through the door, the Red Devils have won every single game, and one big change the former Middlesbrough boss has made is to deploy Bruno Fernandes in his preferred number 10 position. The Portuguese international was enjoying an impressive season before that, but he’s stood up to be counted recently.

Fernandes has provided five goals and assists under Carrick, including crucial contributions against Premier League title-chasers Manchester City and Arsenal. The United squad appear to be enjoying themselves under Carrick, and they’ll be hoping that will continue this week.

Summerville in unstoppable form

Although Fernandes’ impact has been sensational this season, Crysencio Summerville could be the player to watch in this game. The Hammers have seen a recent upturn in form, and Summervile has played a crucial role in that.

*Summerville’s last five games for West Ham*

The former Leeds man has now scored in five consecutive games, despite failing to find the back of the net all season before that. The Hammers will likely rely on transitional moments, and Summerville could be key.

Prediction

Both sides are in strong form heading in to this one, and although Carrick’s men have looked the more impressive, their run has to come to an end at some point. We’re going for a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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