Out of the money Manchester United have spent on transfers over the last two seasons, the £1m they parted with to sign Ayden Heaven barely registers. Indeed, there was little fanfare when the teenage defender made the move north from Arsenal a year ago. This was understandable given Heaven was seen as a developmental player. One for the future.
Heaven, however, is proving his worth as an important member of Ruben Amorim’s first team. The 19-year-old has started six league games for Manchester United this season. With Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez all missing matches due to injury, Heaven has stepped up.
This was certainly true in the Boxing Day win over Newcastle United. When Manchester United had their backs to the wall, Heaven was stronger than anyone else in repelling the opposition. Nobody made more blocks or headed clearances. He was a brick wall that Newcastle couldn’t break through.
Manchester United were less impressive in their 1-1 draw against Wolves, but Heaven wasn’t at fault. Instead, Amorim was criticised for reverting back to his favoured 3-4-3 formation which stunted United’s attacking threat. Nobody looked at Heaven to explain why the Old Trafford outfit failed to secure three points.
“I’m really pleased with Ayden,” said Amorim after Heaven’s rock-solid performance against Newcastle. “You can feel that he’s improving every game. He’s young, but you don’t feel that he has a good game and then he slows the game or the thinking during the game. No, you feel that he’s improving during the game.”
In terms of his profile, Heaven is the perfect modern defender. He is comfortable on the ball. Nobody completed more passes in the win over Newcastle than Heaven whose distribution out from the back permitted Manchester United to move the ball forward when the pressure threatened to overwhelm them.
While Heaven was previously prone to lapses in concentration, he has tightened up this area of his game. The rawness has been ironed out over the last year or so. Heaven’s exposure to regular game time in the Premier League has helped the teenager mature. His development has been accelerated.
Physically, Heaven is capable of holding his own against the most formidable of Premier League forwards. He also has the pace to keep up with the quickest opponents. The teenager ticks a lot of boxes and is growing in confidence all the time. It’s clear he has the respect of his teammates, and Amorim.
Manchester United need more players like Heaven. His signing should set a precedent for the club under the minority ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS. United can’t always pluck from the top shelf of the transfer market. They must do more to unearth talented youngsters they can develop without the pressure of a large price tag.
Of course, it’s not always easy to do that. The Manchester United Tax, as it’s known, is a real factor and so the club’s interest is often enough to double or even triple the price of a transfer target. There are, however, smart ways to pick up talented youngsters, as United proved by attracting Heaven before he’d signed a professional deal at Arsenal.
Senne Lammens could be placed into the same category. The young goalkeeper was unknown outside Belgium before Manchester United signed him for just £18m to be their new number one. Forward Chido Obi is another youngster who can take inspiration from Heaven’s emergence having also joined from Arsenal 12 months ago.
Whether Amorim is truly the right man to mould a winning team from the young talent Manchester United has recently signed is open to debate. The Portuguese coach has won just 25 of his 62 matches as manager of the Old Trafford club with Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Wolves the latest disappointment under his stewardship.
There are, however, underlying reasons for optimism and Heaven is one of them. At just 19, he is holding things together at the back. Against Newcastle, Heaven finished the match as part of a defensive line that included Tyler Fredericson and Tyrell Malacia. He was the one who took responsibility as United’s most accomplished centre back on the pitch.
Heaven might find himself knocked down the pecking order again once De Ligt and Maguire return from injury. Amorim could use their experience to push Manchester United towards a top five finish and Champions League qualification, something that would make the 2025/26 season a success.
Nonetheless, Heaven has shown enough to prove he deserves a place in Manchester United’s vision for the future. Amorim’s back three means there will be further opportunity before the season is over with Heaven among the Portuguese manager’s most reliable performers. In more than one way, he epitomises the club’s new direction.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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16 teams remain in contention for the AFCON 2025 title after the end of the group stage. All the top teams have safely advanced to the knockouts, but some will now start falling as the tournament enters crunch time.
Senegal will take on Sudan in the Round of 16 opener on January 3. The 2021 champions are the overwhelming favourites in this tie as Sudan are entering just their second AFCON knockout match since their only title win in 1970.
Even getting to the knockouts is an incredible achievement for the Falcons of Jediane, who had by far the toughest route to the competition. They had to play all their qualification matches abroad as a brutal civil war rages on in their homeland, leaving all domestic football suspended. Many of their players have not been able to go to Sudan at all in the last couple of years, while several have lost loved ones in the conflict.
Kwesi Appiah’s side have shown great spirit and intensity in all of their performances, so Senegal will have to be careful not to underestimate them. The Lions of Teranga have not tasted defeat in their last 24 competitive fixtures, though, so they will be quite confident of sealing progression to the quarter-finals.
🇲🇱 Mali vs Tunisia 🇹🇳
The second Round of 16 clash is being billed as the ‘Sufferball derby’, as both Mali and Tunisia are expected to put together some seriously stodgy performances in the knockouts.
Tom Saintfelt’s side have already given everyone a taste of what they’re capable of as they fielded five midfielders in place of traditional wingers to carve out a 1-1 draw with Morocco in their second group game.
The Eagles followed that up with a goalless draw with the Comoros, in which they took about an hour to register their first effort from inside the box. With that, they finished second in their group despite failing to win a single match.
Tunisia, for their part, have shown some more attacking quality thus far as they scored three times as many goals as Mali with six. What is even more surprising, though, is that the Eagles of Carthage have failed to keep a clean sheet at AFCON so far, having gotten through their entire World Cup qualification campaign without even conceding once.
We could well be treated to an interesting tactical battle in this match as Saintfelt is sure to mix things up, and his midfielders have shown ample technical quality as well as physical capacity that can trouble any opponent. Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi will surely be keen to shore up his defence, knowing that he can rely on young creators like Hannibal Mejbri and Sebastian Tounekti going forward.
🇲🇦 Morocco vs Tanzania 🇹🇿
Hosts Morocco comfortably topped Group A with two wins and a draw, but it has not been all smooth sailing for them. There is a hint of animosity between the fans and head coach Walid Regragui, which has truthfully been brewing since their Round of 16 exit from the last AFCON.
Even before the tournament started, he likely did not please everyone when he said, “We want fans who come to encourage [the players], not just to take photos or eat sweets.” The 50-year-old tactician was used to seeing some of the world’s most active and passionate supporters in his time at Wydad Casablanca, but the crowds in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat are relatively reserved.
The fans, for their part, made their voices heard after the draw with Mali as boos rang around at full-time. Some changes for the final group game were better received, though, and the crowd is sure to get behind the host nation in the big knockout games.
A Round of 16 tie against Tanzania might just be the perfect starting point for Morocco. The Taifa Stars are making their knockout debut in their fourth AFCON appearance even though they are yet to register a win; they progressed as one of the better third-placed teams despite only picking up two points.
The Atlas Lions have to be very confident of coming away with a comfortable victory from this match.
🇿🇦 South Africa vs Cameroon 🇨🇲
Last edition’s third-place finishers South Africa face five-time champions Cameroon in the heavyweight Round of 16 match-up.
Bafana Bafana were considered a team to watch by many for their all-round balance and tactical intelligence. They have shown some glimpses of those qualities so far, but things haven’t quite clicked as they might have liked. Hugo Broos’ side failed to keep a clean sheet in all group games, losing to Egypt and needing fairly late winners against both Angola and Zimbabwe.
Cameroon, on the other hand, always enter AFCON with high hopes given their historical pedigree, but most expected them to struggle given all their off-field issues in the lead-up to the tournament. Despite only being appointed a couple of weeks before the tournament kicked off, David Pagou has managed to put together a pretty good side that can be quite fun to watch, albeit a bit too open for his liking at times.
All of this should set us up for an exciting encounter that could easily go either way. The winner will likely face Morocco in the quarter-final, so this part of the bracket is the most exciting one.
🇪🇬 Egypt vs Benin 🇧🇯
Egypt topped Group B thanks to a narrow win over South Africa, giving them a relatively easier knockout path on paper. However, as their last-gasp win over Zimbabwe showed, they aren’t necessarily the most comfortable against weaker opposition.
The Pharaohs have always been a better counterattacking side in recent years, relying on the quality of star forwards Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. Hossam Hassan’s midfield selections mostly prioritise defensive solidity over creativity, so they can have difficult days against deep defences.
Benin are quite capable of posing such a challenge, having recently given South Africa and Nigeria a huge scare in World Cup qualifying. Gernot Rohr’s side have shown glimpses of quality with their passing when allowed time on the ball, all while keeping good numbers at the back. So, they likely won’t be an easy team to beat for Egypt.
🇳🇬 Nigeria vs Mozambique 🇲🇿
Three-time champions Nigeria finished as runners-up last time around, but they will continue to be regarded as one of Africa’s biggest underachievers until they get their hands on the trophy again. Failing to qualify for the next World Cup plays a big part in that, as does their 12-year title drought.
With just a month between the Super Eagles’ World Cup elimination and the start of the tournament, everyone was interested to see how they would bounce back. Head coach Éric Chelle should be pretty pleased thus far as his side are one of just two teams to come away with nine points from the group stage, besides being the tournament’s top scorers.
Mozambique, meanwhile, recorded their first win at AFCON at the 17th time of asking with a 3-2 triumph over Gabon, setting themselves on course for their very first knockout appearance. Sporting winger Geny Catamo has been the star of the show with two goals and an assist, so he will pose the biggest threat to the Nigerian defence.
The likes of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are sure to cause panic at the other end of the pitch, but all eyes will be on Chelle’s midfield selection. The experienced Alex Iwobi is a nailed-on starter, but Raphael Onyedika will be hoping that his brace in the final group game earns him a spot ahead of Wilfried Ndidi or Frank Onyeka. The Club Brugge midfielder’s all-round quality means he could well help Nigeria shore up their defence and cement their status as one of the frontrunning contenders.
🇩🇿 Algeria vs DR Congo 🇨🇩
One of the most exciting Round of 16 clashes sees 2019 champions Algeria take on DR Congo, who got to the semi-finals last time around.
The Fennecs failed to get past the group stage or even win a game in the two editions following their last title, but they have bounced back in style this time around with a near-perfect record of three wins, seven goals scored and just one conceded in the group stage. Their first-choice XI got the better of Sudan and Burkina Faso, before a largely rotated side looked equally impressive in the final group game.
Captain Riyad Mahrez remains an important figure in the attack, but young Ibrahim Maza has been stealing the spotlight lately with some lively displays as a number 10. The rest of the side behind him has looked quite well-balanced too, so Algeria will be confident of going the distance in the tournament.
DR Congo will have other ideas and certainly have good reason to back themselves, having gone stride-for-stride with Senegal in Group D. Defensive solidity has been the name of their game as they have only conceded once as well, so finding an attacking edge will be the key to their success. 34-year-old Gaël Kakuta’s performance against Botswana showed that he might just be the man to provide this X factor.
The top five FotMob rated players at AFCON so far
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso 🇧🇫
The defending champions will draw the curtain on the Round of 16 with their tie against Burkina Faso in Marrakesh.
The standout action will surely come down the wings in this clash. Teenage talent Yan Diomande has continued his stellar breakout season with eye-catching displays for the Ivory Coast, while Manchester United’s Amad has shown the best of his attacking quality as well. Burkina Faso have looked bright coming down their left side with full back Arsène Kouassi’s overlapping runs supporting Brentford winger Dango Ouattara, while captain Bertrand Traoré or young Cyriaque Irié can cause problems for the opponents on the other flank.The similarities between both teams continue in the striker department, where the lack of a clinical box presence has limited them. So, the side that does a better job of taking their chances could well emerge victorious here. Emerse Faé’s side will consider themselves the favourites and certainly have the quality to win the midfield battle, but Burkina Faso have a better defensive record so far and should not be counted out.
(Images via IMAGO)
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He’s relaunched his career and is in the form of his life. The England calls are getting louder for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. If he can help Leeds beat Manchester United on Sunday, he’ll be a hero no matter what.
It was too good to be true. Instinctive, improvised and inside the six-yard box. Typical Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Last night, for the best part of three seconds, he’d done it. An eighth goal in seven games as Leeds United stunned Liverpool, late on at Anfield.
An assistant referee’s flag and the 28-year-old’s right foot being beyond the play may have ruled out the finish, but Leeds will be facing Manchester United on Sunday with the hottest English striker in the country.
Underwhelming signing
Back to August, I was sat in the luxury leather cinema chairs of the media room at Leeds United’s Thorpe Arch training ground. Daniel Farke was about to do something that rarely happens in modern football. As I asked him about the rumours around a new striker, he revealed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin would indeed be signing that day.
In the era of curated club media reveals, this felt very old school. It perfectly matched the player. An old-fashioned poacher coming in, under the radar. Leeds fans, however, were underwhelmed.
Having won the Championship title on the final day, Farke had spent the summer recruiting a host of big men to complement his technical players. Joel Piroe may have taken the golden boot with 19 goals but lacked the physique to lead the line against bruising top-flight backlines. A striker would be a priority.
However, with their PSR commitments at full whack, Farke had a problem. The solution was to roll the dice on ‘reviving’ a career with a chance at Elland Road. This was an issue.
Calvert-Lewin has a chequered injury record to say the least. He’s missed 31 games through hamstring injuries alone in the last five years, 14 of which were just last season.
Added to this was some galling goalscoring data. In the last five years, he should have managed just shy of 50 goals based on his xG, rather than the 38 that he did score. An injury-prone striker, who could miss those crucial opportunities that keeps them in the division? It didn’t get the fans onside, especially as he was effectively replacing the similarly performing Patrick Bamford, deemed surplus to requirements.
Calvert-Lewin’s numbers at Everton, Premier League 2024/25 season
Dire debut and the revival
I’ve watched back every Calvert-Lewin Premier League goal (the first 50 are here!) and there’s a common theme. All but two are from inside the area. A cool one-on-one against Cardiff and a comedic ricochet to take the lead at home to Manchester United aside, he has been a fox in the box.
His movement keeps him between the frame of the goal and whether it’s a prod, a big header, or being trusted from 12 yards, when Calvert-Lewin is on form, he can be clinical.
Everton even offered him a new deal to stay in the summer but he was ready for a new challenge. He spent the summer with his daughter and enjoying ‘dad life’ and has since reflected how that mental break has helped him rebuild and given him a new perspective on life.
Added to all this has been a different approach to his fitness. Ahead of facing Crystal Palace, Farke told me that there had not been a focus on managing his minutes, as you might expect with a player with a long injury-history, but instead on building up his physical resilience. This all sounds very Rocky Balboa, doesn’t it?
Calvert-Lewin’s unique-looking shot map, Premier League 2025/26 season
Calvert-Lewin says he’s the fittest he’s been ‘in a long time’. He’s certainly got that healthy glow that’s previously seen him turn his hand to modelling. These days it’s striking a pose with the Player of the Match award, rather than on the catwalk or magazine front covers.
This is all still hard to believe though. He endured a torrid first game at a beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup. Coming on as a sub, he missed a hat-trick of opportunities before really ramping it up by blazing his shoot-out spot kick over the bar.
His looping header against Wolves after two anonymous league outings broke the duck but he then went seven games without a goal, coinciding with reports that Farke was battling to keep his job.
And then it all clicked. Stealing in to equalise against Manchester City kicked things off. A one-yard tap-in at a raucous Elland Road saw off Chelsea, before a crucial penalty equaliser against Liverpool and a towering header at Brentford.
By the time I got to Leeds’s final home game of 2025 against Crystal Palace, the England-talk was in full swing.
England’s (back-up) Number 9?
It’s been four and a half years since Calvert-Lewin’s eleventh and last cap for the Three Lions. Four goals isn’t a bad return and he was in Gareth Southgate’s squad that lost the final of Euro 2020 to Italy on penalties, making two appearances off the bench during the tournament. That coincided with his best goalscoring season, when he scored 21 goals in all competitions for Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton.
Calvert-Lewins’ player comparison against strikers in Big 5 leagues
His traits map is one of the most intriguing you’ll find on FotMob. This season he’s been incredibly efficient. Placing in the 92% percentile for aerial duels compared to strikers in all of Europe’s top five leagues is ridiculous and then you see how few touches he has relative to his goals. Isn’t that exactly what England might need as a Plan B, or if Harry Kane is ever out of action?
Thomas Tuchel has already shown he’s focussed solely on the here and now. There’s nothing to stop him picking an unfancied yet in-form Englishman. Ollie Watkins has been hot and cold, but remains the most obvious rival to Calvert-Lewin when Ivan Toney is unfavoured, and Callum Wilson isn’t even starting for struggling West Ham.
Ghost in the machine
The funny thing about Calvert-Lewin is you can forget he’s even there. He will take a hit but he’s not sprinting around pressing opponents and whipping up the crowd. He’s been a huge beneficiary of Farke changing his system and mixing it up in games. He has been given a strike partner rather than left to lead the line alone and when Leeds switch to a back three, Calvert-Lewin can be one of as many as six attacking players, freeing him up to make his moves in the box.
Both his goals against Crystal Palace came from long throws, as the atmosphere at Elland Road eventually became frenzied in a 4-1 demolition. In a crowded penalty box, he can take up positions where you’ll lose him in the melee. He may even start offside. And yet when ball is between the posts, he will be there. He can react faster than anyone, as we saw with his quick rebound goal, which he followed up by moving quickest for a stooping header.
He capped off a superb team goal against Sunderland where all eleven players touched the ball before then starting on the bench against Liverpool and still nearly grabbing the headlines. That seven in seven run isn’t bad!
And this all sets us up perfectly for Sunday. This is the game of the season for Leeds United. It’s a fixture which feeds off the old War of the Roses rivalry. Add to it with the on-pitch history of the family feud between Jack and Bobby Charlton, Roy Keane’s horrendous ‘revenge’ foul on Alfie Haaland, and Jermaine Beckford’s much celebrated 2010 FA Cup Old Trafford winner.
Exactly sixteen years and one day later, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will have the chance to add his name to that history and continue his push for a plane ticket to cross the Atlantic for the World Cup come the summer.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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It’s an odd thing, to question a more than 50-cap Brazil forward as never having really made it at a top club level, but Richarlison fits that category. But after a good first half of 2025/26, can he now sustain it, cement his spot and become the real successor to Harry Kane at Tottenham?
Given Richarlison signed for Spurs in 2022, it’s notable that current boss Thomas Frank is already the fifth person the Brazilian has seen in the hotseat in that short period. While two were short-term (and back-to-back) interim bosses – remember that dismal Cristian Stellini period? – it does point to the lack of cohesion the club have had at senior level, which includes turnover in director of football and even chairman roles more recently.
What all that has meant is a muddled transfer strategy at times, which right now has resulted in ten senior attackers being at the club in or around positions that Richarlison, himself a £50m plus £10m in add-ons signing, can occupy. That includes no fewer than four players who habitually do (or did) play in the No. 9 role: the Brazilian who wears the actual nine jersey, plus £55m Dominic Solanke, £35m Mathys Tel and the on-loan Randal Kolo Muani, who himself cost PSG the equivalent of around £70m only two years ago. Somehow, amid all that change and choice, it’s Richarlison who has emerged as Tottenham’s starting front man – and who is currently doing the business to help his side stay at least in the hunt to be competitive.
Richarlison’s season summary since joining Spurs
Richarlison’s stalled trajectory
Pick through his international career without saying his name and people would probably be impressed: 20 goals in 54 Brazil caps, including one calendar year where he hit 10 in 10. Goals scored in two Copa Americas and the 2022 World Cup. An Olympic gold medal and an appearance – and goal – in the triumphant Copa final of 2019. It looks great, but still only tells half a story. In his time Brazil have sometimes struggled more than usual for consistent forwards to support Neymar’s seemingly automatic inclusion, and while he netted those ten in the 2022 calendar year, he hasn’t scored a single goal since then.
At club level he won a title in Brazil, but as a youngster who scored four goals in his first top-flight senior season. Then there was nothing, right up until Spurs’ Europa League triumph last season – he netted one goal during that cup run and just five across the campaign overall.
For a forward of his pedigree and expense, it’s held against him that Richarlison has managed double figures in league goals just twice in the past five seasons, while hitting the back of the net a single time in his debut Premier League campaign with Spurs. This year though it’s seven in 11 starts, plus a further three assists – his 10 goal contributions placing him seventh in the league at the halfway point, from a combined xG+xA of just 4.6.
So: can he sustain it, and finally drive Spurs upwards?
This time it’s…different?
Richarlison’s problems haven’t just been limited to scoring regularly – he’s had successive injury concerns for the past two years. That makes this current run as a starter – six of the last eight in the league, off the bench in the other two – all the more important; not just for his form, but his assurance and confidence, his rhythm and reliability.
Richarlison’s shot map in the Premier League this season
He certainly remains outside the absolute elite of the league, but in 1,075 league minutes he is showing his rounded ability by being top 16 for both expected goals on target and assists. Among Premier League forwards, he’s ahead of 75% of them for chances created and 80% for duels won. That aggressive side of his nature can also be seen in him being ahead of 84% of similar players around Europe for defensive actions – a massive boost to a team struggling to find cohesion, but put simply, improvements are still required in his attacking output to be the longstanding No. 9 at the club. He’s never going to be like Kane in a goalscoring capacity, but Spurs need a facilitator for other attackers as much as a finisher themselves, and that’s where Richarlison – rather than Solanke or Muani perhaps – can stand out as the team’s best option. For him the issue has always been maintaining that form as the side around him improves, rather than standing out as a hard worker with momentary genius in a side generally struggling.
Richarlison’s traits comparison against forwards in the Big Five leagues
Perhaps that’s simply and precisely what suits him: being the go-to fish in a floundering pond; a player who has the character to stand up when things aren’t going perfectly, but isn’t himself perfect enough to show the elite consistency to be the main man when a team is firing on all cylinders.
Spurs’ ambitions for the second half of 2025/26 have to be pretty straightforward: find league form to get top six or so, get through the Champions League playoff into the anything-can-happen knockout stage and nail down at least half a dozen players from the many, many options who will form the spine of the team going forward. Richarlison has shown, in fits and spurts and over short timeframes, that he can be one of those. Between now and May his job is to show it so regularly, he becomes one of those undroppable, often-reliable, manager favourite starters.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Brentford targeting a first-ever top flight home victory against Spurs
The Bees are flying into the New Year on a two-match winning streak and are among the best home teams in the Premier League, with only the leading trio boasting a superior record to Brentford on their own turf after 18 rounds played.
The Keith Andrews-led squad have already exceeded most expectations this season, and rare are those who would have predicted that the West London club would welcome Thomas Frank‘s Spurs from the top half of the table, sitting above them with a point more in the overall standings.
On the contrary, the reigning Europa League winners are faring much better away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and thus, are the joint-best team on the road in the Premier League alongside Arsenal and Aston Villa this season. However, the Lilywhites only just put an end to their two-match losing run with a narrow win against Crystal Palace, and now, Spurs are hoping to continue their unbeaten streak against Brentford at the GTech, which stretches back to 2022.
Key players
Kevin Schade finally stole the limelight from the free-firing Igor Thiago against AFC Bournemouth, as the talented forward scored a perfect hat-trick and showcased his full attacking repertoire. Although it took the German international a couple of seasons to adjust to the Premier League’s demands, now the 24-year-old is the squad’s second-best scorer (6) and the third-best chance creator (16), with only Michael Kayode (19) and Mikkel Damsgaard (21) having created more chances for their teammates. With Tottenham’s defence experiencing changes week in, week out, the dangerous Schade will pounce on every given opportunity to further impress his former boss and potentially his future suitors.
Mohammed Kudus is Spurs’ main protagonist this season and the tricky Ghanian is leading in terms of assists made (5), chances created (23) and successful dribbles (3.1 per 90) among his teammates in the Premier League, making him a menace for the opposing defenders. Furthermore, the 25-year-old is the highest rated player in the squad, averaging a FotMob rating of 7.11 and the pacey winger is Thomas Frank’s most reliable attacker this season given the inconsistency and the injuries across their forward line.
The tight-knit Bees will be eager to show Thomas Frank that swapping West for North London was not a step up in his managerial career, and with the in-form Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago up front, goals for the home side are almost a certainty, but the Danish coach might have a trick or two up his sleeve as well, and I believe a draw might be the most realistic outcome.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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The clash at Anfield on Thursday evening sees two of the most in-form teams in the Premier League facing off. Yes, you did read that right. Liverpool and Leeds United rank fourth and fifth respectively in the current form table over the last five matches.
Liverpool have had a real Jekyll and Hyde season. The Premier League champions won five from five to kickstart the campaign before losing six of their next seven in the English top-flight. Right now, they’re on a six match unbeaten run in the league, winning five of those.
They went from languishing in mid-table to sitting in fourth position in what felt like a blink of an eye. With Mohamed Salah away at AFCON, Florian Wirtz has stepped up over recent weeks. He posted an 8.4 FotMob rating against Brighton, an 8.6 against Spurs and then a 9.0 in the win over Wolves last weekend. During this three game period, he has a goal and an assist.
Florian Wirtz’s last three games
Leeds head to Merseyside unbeaten in their last five following a 1-1 draw with Sunderland last time out in the Premier League. During this run, they’ve beaten Crystal Palace (4-1) and Chelsea (3-1), while also managing a 3-3 draw with Liverpool.
This form has seen them climb to 16th in the Premier League, six points clear of the relegation places. It’s been an impressive turnaround after a run of six defeats in seven had threatened to undo their positive start to the season. However, everything is delicately balanced right now. A few bad results and they’ll be right back in the battle to avoid the drop zone.
Key Players
Hugo Ekitike is a man in form for Liverpool. With Salah at AFCON and Alexander Isak out injured, the Frenchman has relished his role as the main man in attack for the Reds. He has five goals and an assist in his last four outings for the champions and this includes a two goal haul in the 3-3 draw with Leeds.
Screenshot
For Leeds, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the one to watch. The former Everton man has scored in each of his last six outings and has eight goals in total for Danial Farke’s side. Only Antoine Semenyo (nine), Igor Thiago (11) and Erling Haaland (19) have more goals than the Leeds United No. 9 this term.
Team News
The visitors are without Sean Longstaff and Daniel James for the trip to Anfield. Liverpool, meanwhile, are without a host of names. Salah is away with Egypt at AFCON, Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak aren’t expected to be back any time soon while Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajčetić and Joe Gomez are still absent with various knocks. The good news for the hosts is that Dominik Szoboslzai has returned from his suspension having sat out of the win over Wolves.
Prediction
Both teams have momentum on their side which means both teams are likely going to score. Liverpool have the superior quality in attack, despite the noticeable absences, so we’re going with another 2-1 win for the hosts.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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What was once billed as a transitional season is increasingly looking like a title-challenging one for Manchester City who have built some serious momentum since their last league defeat to Newcastle in November.
Since then Pep Guardiola’s team have won eight matches on the bounce, most recently easing past Nottingham Forest in a match that highlighted the strength of City’s resolve compared to last season.
Sunderland have been one of the surprise packages of the Premier League season, but have stalled in recent weeks, winning just one of their last five fixtures.
Some of this can be attributed to the number of Sunderland players currently at the Africa Cup of Nations. Indeed, Régis Le Bris is currently without as many as six first team starters due to international call-ups.
Nonetheless, the Black Cats have yet to suffer a loss at home in the Premier League this season and will test Manchester City in attacking transition. Thursday’s match could be a compelling one.
Key players
Granit Xhaka has been one of the signings of the season in the Premier League. The Swiss midfielder has given Sunderland control and leadership in the centre of the pitch. Both qualities will be important against Manchester City.
Further forward, Brian Brobbey’s physicality could unsettle City’s defence while Wilson Isidor could stretch the visitors in the second half of the match off the bench.
Realistically, Robin Roefs will need to be in top form to stop Manchester City from finding the back of the net. The Dutch goalkeeper’s save percentage of 77.8% is currently the highest in the Premier League.
Erling Haaland is the obvious difference-maker to highlight from a Manchester City point of view. The Norwegian has netted an incredible 19 goals in just 18 league outings so far this season.
However, Rayan Cherki is starting to find his feet as City’s most influential player in the final third. The Frenchman found the back of the net against Forest while no other Premier League player has more assists (seven) than him this term.
Phil Foden has drawn a blank in each of his last three games, but has still contributed nine goal contributions in the league this season. He and Cherki will operate behind Haaland.
In central midfield, Nico González, Tijani Reijnders and Bernardo Silva will be given the opportunity to go again with Rodri still working his way back to full fitness. The Spaniard could feature off the bench.
Team news
As if Sunderland’s absentee list wasn’t long enough due to AFCON, Dan Ballard is now sidelined with a knee injury. The physical defender’s absence will be felt in the backline.
With Arsenal having already posted an impressive win over Aston Villa in this round of games, it’s now time for Manchester City to respond if they want to keep pace in the title race. We expect them to become the first away side to win at the Stadium of Light this season: Sunderland 1-3 Man City.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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There isn’t an outfield position Weston McKennie hasn’t played during his time at Juventus. Last season, the American was used at left back. And right back. And in central midfield. And even as an emergency centre forward. Luciano Spalletti clearly values that versatility, using McKennie in two different roles in last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Pisa.
McKennie’s ‘Varied’ position chart
While McKennie started on the left side, he was shifted over to the right for the second half. It was in this area that the 27-year-old created the opening for Juve’s opening goal, crossing for Pierre Kalulu to bundle home from close range. Not for the first time recently, McKennie’s impact on the match was profound.
Indeed, McKennie has registered three goal contributions in his last six appearances. While some questioned if the American would work well under Spalletti, he has played every minute of every league game under the new manager. McKennie seems to be one of Spalletti’s most trusted figures.
“He’s an incredible guy,” said Spalletti when asked about McKennie’s quality as a player. “He always wins a personal duel with his opponent. You can put him in multiple positions and his skills allow us to change the formation in this period. He has all the qualities to do well anywhere.”
McKennie’s defensive numbers in Serie A this season
McKennie’s versatility has sometimes been a curse in that the American has never nailed down a consistent starting spot in the Juventus lineup. He played over 2,300 minutes in Serie A last season, but that game time was spread across five or six different positions. McKennie filled in the gaps around other players.
More recently, though, Spalletti has shifted his formation and approach to get the best out of McKennie, deploying the 27-year-old in a hybrid right wing back role. In this position, McKennie operates on the right side out of possession, but will frequently move into a second striker role when the opportunity is there to get forward.
This tactical tweak has harnessed McKennie’s attacking instincts, getting the American into positions where he can impact matches in the final third. It’s a change that has turned the dial for Juventus who have been far too conservative as a team over the past two seasons, maybe longer.
McKennie’s passing stats in Serie A this season
Spalletti’s Juve are a work-in-progress. While the Old Lady are currently on a run of four wins from their last five league outings, their performances have been uneven. Even against Pisa on Saturday, Juventus were pushed hard in the first half and could have fallen behind before eventually taking control in the final 17 minutes.
Transfer business is expected as Spalletti continues to remodel Juve in his own image. Gonzalo García, Antoine Griezmann, Radu Drăgușin, Marcos Senesi, Leon Goretzka and countless other targets have been linked with the Turin club. Sales, however, could be required before any new additions are made.
Recent reports have speculated McKennie could be among those to make way. Premier League clubs including West Ham have been linked with the midfielder while Roma were believed to be interested last summer. McKennie’s sale could allow Juventus to invest in other areas of their squad, like the forward line.
McKennie, however, has made a habit of proving his doubters wrong. He has been pushed towards the Juve exit door several times over the course of his career there only to force his way back into the first team. This resilience has permitted McKennie to rack up over 200 appearances for Juventus. Only one current squad member has made more.
2026 could be a big year for McKennie. Not only are Juventus chasing the Scudetto, the USA will co-host next summer’s World Cup. McKennie has been a key figure for his national team for a number of years, although Mauricio Pochettino’s recent omission of the midfielder from his squad has raised questions over his place in the side.
For the USMNT, Pochettino sees McKennie as an advanced playmaker, using the 27-year-old as one of his dual number 10s. In this position, there is a lot of competition from the likes of Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna among others. McKennie, however, could be the most rounded midfielder Pochettino has. He will surely feature at the World Cup.
McKennie’s talent has been obvious for a long time, but it’s only now that he is being built around as a central piece at Juventus. Spalletti has a clear vision for the Old Lady’s future and McKennie is a big part of it. The American’s recent performances are evidence of the faith the former Napoli boss has in him. This is McKennie at his best.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Remember the start of the season? When Aston Villa had gone a whole month without scoring a single goal, Unai Emery was miserable after a disappointing summer transfer window, and Morgan Rogers was a one season wonder? Yeah, neither do we.
Don’t expect Emery, or anyone at Villa to admit it anytime soon, but they are in the title race. Good sides win when they don’t play well, and that’s exactly what Emery’s side did in the 2-1 victory over Chelsea and the one over Man United in the game before that.
Yes, if you look at Villa’s xG, they’re technically a bottom half side, and they’re correct, Villa are massively overperforming their underlying numbers. They’re 15th for xG (19.9), 12th for big chances created (35), and 14th for touches in the opposition box (412).
I’m going to risk sounding like every boomer pundit across the UK, but what really matters at the end of the day, however, is points on the board and balls in the back of the net. With 39 points from a possible 54, three off league leaders Arsenal, Villa have every right to be where they are.
Arguably one of the best coached sides in England, Villa still need to rely on a couple of magic moments, and none of their current crop of players have produced as many as Morgan Rogers over the past one-and-a-half seasons.
It was a big ask for Rogers when he came in, the man tasked with finally replacing club legend and boyhood Villian Jack Grealish after more established attackers like Philippe Coutinho and Leon Bailey had failed.
Where the others crumbled, Rogers has thrived under the pressure of being the club’s main man and poster boy. Just don’t mention the fact he started his career at West Brom before coming through the youth ranks at Man City.
Roger’s season summary at Villa, highlighting the 2024/25 campaign
At the start of the season, Rogers looked like half the player that was named PFA Young Player of the Year, lacking the energy, quality on the ball, and pace we’ve come to know and love. Even the Villa fans were getting on his case, jeering Rogers in their 1-0 Europa League win over Bologna.
That game was a real low moment. Rogers played the full 90 minutes, lost the most duels (12), had one shot that nearly went out for a throw in, and completed 10 of his 24 attempted passes. It was so bad the Villa fans sarcastically cheered whenever he actually found a teammate.
Now, we’re not going to advocate for fans getting on the backs of their own players, but it clearly worked. Rogers got his act together after that game, just as Emery predicted he would.
“Morgan is young and needs time for experiences,” said Emery. “I kept him on the field because I wanted to see his reaction, how he was accepting everything. He didn’t play well and wasn’t clinical in the attacking third, but I wanted to keep him on.
“He needs to take experiences [like] today, not playing every game well, the crowd not being happy with him. It’s [about] getting his experiences and growing up through it.”
Rogers’ dip in form wasn’t entirely his fault, Villa as a whole looked lost in their first five Premier League games. Emery recognised that, and a tactical tweak has since got his side, and Rogers, back on track.
Villa averaged 59.56% possession in that time, with 76.4% in the 1-0 defeat to Brentford and 71.4% in the 1-1 draw away at Sunderland. From match day six up until the 2-1 win over Man United, that dropped drastically, and Villa had the ball an average of 50.02%.
That has helped get the best out of Rogers. He’s a player that thrives in transition, running at defenders with the ball at his feet rather than trying to intricately play his way through a low block like they were trying to do.
Rogers’ passing numbers, Premier League games only
Rogers is a risk taker, he’s completed the second most through balls in the Premier League so far this season with 13, three off Man United’s Bruno Fernandes, with a pass rate in the final third success rate of 66%. He’s losing the ball more often than anyone else at Villa, but the pros outweigh the cons.
His brace against Man United made Rogers the first Aston Villa player to score two or more goals in two consecutive Premier League games since Dion Dublin all the way back in 1998.
That game should be considered the benchmark. Rogers was at his absolute best as Villa hosted a somewhat resurgent United, reminding Ruben Amorim that his side still have some way to go before competing for major silverware.
Rogers’ possession numbers, Premier League games only
Rogers had the fewest touches of any outfield player to play the full 90 minutes (33), but he didn’t need any more than that to inflict maximum damage on United, making young Leny Yoro look a bit silly in the process.
His first goal just before the break was a real work of art. Rogers plucked the ball out of the air, needing to give chase to stop it going out of play. Yoro was there but the Villa man barely acknowledged him before turning on the pace and curling the ball beyond Senne Lammens.
Yoro took his eyes off Rogers for his second goal, allowing him to saunter into the box and get a hold of it after some poor defender from Ayden Heaven, again curling in past the United ‘keeper to secure all three points.
All of this has certainly caught the attention of England boss Thomas Tuchel, who is clearly a big fan of Rogers. The forward has featured in all of the squads since he took over, starting six of his ten games.
With the likes of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Jude Bellingham also vying for that number ten spot for the summer’s World Cup, Aston Villa’s very own Rogers has laid down the marker.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Manchester United host Wolves at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening, hoping to build on an impressive win over Newcastle United last time out. Rob Edwards is still searching for his first point in charge of the Midlands club, while they are yet to find a victory from their opening 18 games of the campaign.
It’s been just a few weeks since these two sides last met, with United securing an emphatic 4-1 victory away from home earlier in December. Interestingly, all three United goalscorers on that day, Mason Mount, Bryan Mbeumo, and Bruno Fernandes, could all miss this fixture.
Edwards has confirmed that Santiago Bueno picked up a knock against Liverpool, so he could miss out for the away side. Andre will be unavailable after he received his fifth yellow card of the season.
Amorim’s adapting at United
The key talking point surrounding Amorim during his United tenure has been his stubbornness towards his three-at-the-back formation. Over the last couple of games, the Portuguese manager has started to shift things, and it was certainly more of a back four against Newcastle.
It certainly paid off for the Red Devils, picking up an impressive 2-1 victory. Whether Amorim feels he was forced into the change due to the lack of options at the moment or decided something needed to be altered to turn things around remains to be seen, but it’s exciting for United fans to see a change that has yielded results.
Change of style needed for Wolves?
It’s safe to say things haven’t worked out for Wolves this season, and relegation feels like a foregone conclusion at this stage. We’re almost at the halfway stage of the campaign, and Edwards’ side are already 16 points adrift of safety.
No side has completed more long balls per game than Wolves in the Premier League this season, but it’s a method that simply isn’t working out. The Wanderers have conceded more and scored fewer than any other team, and they are sleepwalking to relegation unless something drastic happens in the coming months.
Dorgu the surprise saviour
Last time out, Amorim deployed Patrick Dorgu, traditionally a wing-back, in an unorthodox right-wing position, and it certainly paid off. The Danish youngster provided a crucial goal to help United secure three points, and it was arguably his best game in a United shirt.
Over the last couple of games, where Dorgu has been given a little more freedom to make an impact in the opposition half, he’s produced a goal and an assist. Amorim might have found his solution to Mbeumo’s absence unexpectedly.
Prediction
Unfortunately for Wolves fans, it’s unlikely they’ll be picking up their first win here. We’re going for a 3-0 victory to Manchester United.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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