Dean Huijsen turned down Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich to secure a move to Real Madrid, his father has confirmed. The 20-year-old centre-back joined Los Blancos this summer after an impressive season at Bournemouth, where he featured in 30 Premier League games. His dad revealed how Huijsen waited patiently for the chance to join his "dream club" despite other lucrative offers coming in first.

Why Huijsen chose Madrid over England’s elite

Huijsen was unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer after Madrid triggered his €60 million (£50m/$66m) release clause at Bournemouth. The Spaniard had only joined the Cherries last year from Juventus for €15m (£13m/$16m) plus bonuses, but his standout displays in the Premier League quickly attracted interest from Europe’s biggest sides. Liverpool were among the most persistent suitors, while Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham all monitored his situation closely. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also made contact, but Huijsen kept them waiting as he hoped Madrid would come calling, a decision that ultimately paid off.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportPremier League stint prepared Huijsen for Madrid

The 20-year-old thrived at Bournemouth last season, playing 30 Premier League matches and helping the club finish comfortably in 10th place. He also added three FA Cup appearances, racking up more than 2,800 minutes on the pitch, scoring three goals and providing two assists. His exposure to top-level players such as Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah shaped him into a more complete defender.

Huijsen politely rejected Europe’s top clubs to wait for Real Madrid

In an interview with , Huijsen's father and agent father explained why Bournemouth was such an important stepping stone: "We saw the opportunity of a starting spot in the Premier League, with the exciting and compelling chance of playing against top-tier strikers, starting with Haaland, Salah, and Isak. Furthermore, the Bournemouth manager is Portuguese player Tiago Pinto, formerly of Roma. A significant development path was in the offing for Dean, who actually played 32 games with 3 goals and 2 assists for the Cherry shirt. He also played 3 more FA Cup matches, totaling 2,800 minutes on the pitch."

He then revealed why his son turned down some of Europe’s biggest clubs: "These excellent performances earned him a contract with the most famous and successful club on the planet. Many of the big names in European football wanted him (Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle United, etc.), but he politely declined every offer, waiting for 'that' team to arrive, the 'team' of his dreams, the biggest and most fascinating: Real Madrid."

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AFPMadrid’s defensive outlook with Huijsen in place

The Spaniard has already slotted seamlessly into Xabi Alonso’s defence, helping Los Blancos win six of their first seven La Liga fixtures this season. His arrival strengthens a backline that has been consistently tested by injuries in recent years, and his versatility could prove vital in both domestic and European competitions.

Madrid face Kairat Almaty in the Champions League before turning their attention to Villarreal in La Liga, with Huijsen expected to keep his place as Madrid aim to build momentum across all fronts.

Former Lionesses midfielder Karen Carney banished an 18-year curse by finishing top of the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard on Saturday. The ex-Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder put an end to stereotypes surrounding footballers and their ability to perform on the dance floor with a fantastic performance which has received widespread praise.

• Carney wows spectators with jive to Blondie's 'One Way or Another'

  Performing to Blondie’s classic hit ‘One Way or Another’, Carney and her professional dancing partner Carlos Gu wowed spectators with a brilliant jive during the first live show of the 2025 edition of the popular dancing programme. So good was Carney’s performance that she earned a score of 31 from the judges, meaning her and Gu topped the table for the evening.

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• Ex-Lioness was overjoyed after finishing top during an 'amazing' show

  Speaking after her performance, Carney said live on "Everyone did a great job. Honestly, it’s been an amazing show, hasn’t it?"

• Carney joined by fellow ex-footballer Hasselbaink on the night

  Carney was not the only former footballer who performed brilliantly on the night, with ex-Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink finishing third with his professional partner, Lauren Oakley. Dancing to The Fratellis’ tune Chelsea Dagger, Hasselbaink received a score of 27 from the judges, meaning he finished third.

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• Carney succeeds where other past footballers have failed

  Carney’s efforts in particular finally put to bed claims footballers could only perform on the pitch and not the dance floor. Several footballers have tried and failed to reach the top of the leaderboard over the years, including her former Lionesses team-mate Alex Scott. Other footballers who have appeared in the Strictly ballroom include ex-goalkeepers Peter Schmeichel, Peter Shilton and David James, as well as John Barnes, Robbie Savage and Tony Adams.

After failing to secure Champions League football at the end of last season, Aston Villa would have been looking for a strong summer in which they could springboard and start the new campaign strongly. Yet, things have not really worked out like that for Unai Emery’s side.

As well as signing young centre-back Yasin Ozcan from Turkish side Kasimpasa, the only other first-team addition has been Evann Guessand. The Ivorian striker made the move to the West Midlands from French side OGC Nice for a fee in the region of £25.9m, and is the marquee signing of the summer so far.

Now, with the Premier League season a matter of days away, Villa are targeting a new attacker to add to their ranks.

Villa’s potential next signing

After bringing Guessand to the club this summer, it appears Emery wants to strengthen further in attack. They were previously linked with Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, although new reports have emerged about another target in forward areas.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to a report from Simon Jones at The Mail, the Villans ‘have revived talks’ with French giants Paris Saint-Germain over a move for former loanee Marco Asensio.

The Spaniard spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa Park, and given the fact he has ‘snubbed moves’ to other sides, a return is on the cards.

The West Midlands club ‘have asked about loan and permanent deals’ for the former Real Madrid star, who is said to be ‘keen to return’ to the club this summer. Back in May, it was suggested that a fee of around £13m was enough for Villa to seal the permanent signing of Asensio.

Why Asensio would be a good signing

Despite a lack of football in the French capital for Asensio last season, he flourished on loan at Villa Park. His excellent form led former Premier League winger Andros Townsend to describe him as a “special talent”.

Indeed, the 29-year-old forward, who was born in Mallorca, played 21 times for the club last season. In that time, he bagged eight goals, operating most often as a number ten, and also assisted once, too.

Some of his best performances in a Villa shirt surely came in the Champions League. The Spain international scored three goals in four games, but only chalked up 126 minutes, leaving him with a goal every 42 minutes on average.

If Villa are successful in bringing Asensio back to the club for next season, he could form a sensational partnership with new signing Guessand. The Ivorian was excellent for Nice last term, with nine goals and 12 assists in 33 Ligue 1 games.

It is that ability to both score and assist that might make the duo so deadly. Asensio became a goalscorer for Villa last season, and with Guessand so prolific when setting up goals, those two certainly pair well together.

Yet, the former Real Madrid star also grabbed 32 assists for Los Blancos and 11 for PSG. His best season, the 2022/23 campaign for Madrid, saw him score nine La Liga goals and set up a further six.

Indeed, his stats from that season highlight the creative force Asensio can be at his very best. For example, he averaged 2.5 chances created and 8.2 forward passes per 90 minutes for Los Blancos in that campaign.

For a fee of around £13m, this could be a bargain for Villa. Asensio and Guessand pair well together, with the Spaniard playing in behind the new Villans star. Both players can chip in with goals and assists, which could make for some exciting link-up play with each other.

Villa fans can surely get excited about this partnership, especially since they know what Asensio can bring to the table and just how good of a footballer he is.

Unplayable with Guessand: Aston Villa keen on signing £40m “special talent”

Aston Villa are in the market for another new attacker after signing Guessand

By
Joe Nuttall

Aug 7, 2025

He is expected to take a month to recover after the surgery

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Feb-2025

India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has undergone a surgery on his finger, but is expected to be fit in time for the IPL, where he will lead Rajasthan Royals (RR). It is understood that Samson will take around a month to recover after his surgery took place on Tuesday. That gives him enough time for be ready for the IPL, which will start in the March 21-22-23 weekend.Samson picked up the injury during the fifth T20I against England earlier this month when he was hit by a Jofra Archer delivery early in the game. Samson scored 16 off seven and was later subbed out because of the injury and Dhruv Jurel kept wickets in his place; he went on to take three catches in India’s massive 150-run win.The injury forced Samson miss Kerala’s quarter-final in the Ranji Trophy, against Jammu & Kashmir in Pune from February 8.Samson didn’t have a great T20I series against England, scoring just 51 runs in five games to average 10.20, while striking at 118.60.He last played an ODI in December 2023 – when he scored a century against South Africa – and after India played just three ODIs in 2024, he was left out of Kerala’s one-day squad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after he failed to show up for their preparatory camp in the lead-up to the tournament.Samson’s next assignment will be leading RR in IPL 2025. RR made the playoffs under his captaincy last season but were beaten by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the second Qualifier.

It’s incredible how quickly the mood can change in football, and West Ham United are a great example.

Following their third defeat in as many games at the start of the week, it felt like the club were destined for a dreadful season, but now, after a few brilliant signings, there is a sense of renewed optimism in some areas of the fanbase.

Now, there is still a lot of work for Graham Potter and Co to do before fans can get ahead of themselves, but the additions of Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa certainly help.

Moreover, if reports are to be believed, the club are in the market for more signings, including an international compared to Jude Bellingham.

West Ham target Bellingham-esque star

Even though the transfer window comes to a close on Monday evening, West Ham continue to be linked with a host of talented players.

Transfer Focus

For example, Feyenoord’s captain Quintien Timber could be available for just £25m and would add some steel to the middle of the park, and Conor Gallagher is now being touted for a return to the capital.

However, neither one of these brilliant players has been compared to the world-class Bellingham, unlike another international the Hammers are keen to sign.

At least that is according to a recent report from German publication BILD, which claims West Ham are very interested in Patrick Wimmer.

In exciting news, the report has revealed that the East Londoners are now expected to bid for the Wolfsburg player before the window closes.

It would certainly be a surprise move, but the £33k-per-week dynamo would be an excellent addition to Potter’s squad, especially as he’s been compared to Bellingham.

How Wimmer compares to Bellingham

Before exploring some of the other reasons West Ham should sign Wimmer this summer, it’s essential to examine this remarkable comparison to Bellingham and where it comes from.

In this instance, the analysis stems from FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League, and the Europa League.

In this case, FBref has concluded that the Real Madrid star is the second most similar midfielder to the Wolfsburg ace.

The best way to understand how that conclusion was reached is by examining some of the underlying metrics in which the pair ranked closely.

These include metrics such as progressive carries, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-on percentage, key passes and more, all per 90.

These numbers paint the picture of an all-action player who can be a goal threat in his own right, but is also an effective creator for his team.

In addition to this incredibly encouraging comparison to one of the best players in the world, the “wonderful” Austrian international, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, is also an entertainer.

This is evident when watching his highlights, and while output is always going to be the most important thing, having a player in the side who can get the stadium on its feet is also hugely important.

Ultimately, it would be a surprise deal, but West Ham should do all they can to sign Wimmer before Monday evening, as he could provide the side with that bit more x-factor.

Fernandes upgrade: West Ham to submit bid for another big-money midfielder

The experienced international would be an excellent signing for Graham Potter and West Ham.

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Aug 29, 2025

As part of Manchester United’s £200m+ shopping spree this summer, Bryan Mbeumo completed a move to Old Trafford to try and improve the situation within the final third.

The Red Devils only netted 44 league goals in 2024/25, with the Cameroonian scoring 20 in the Premier League alone last campaign – a tally which was 45% of the Red Devils’ total.

Whilst he cost a pretty penny, arriving in a £71m deal including add-ons, he does possess the top-flight experience needed to transform the side after last year’s dismal finish.

The 26-year-old has already hit the ground running for his new side, scoring twice in his opening four outings – including in the recent league clash against Burnley at the Theatre of Dreams.

If Mbeumo is to achieve further success during his spell at United, he will likely star alongside one talent who’s been a constant positive influence despite the slump over the last few years.

Bruno Fernandes’ time at Manchester United

Upon his big-money transfer from Sporting CP in the winter of 2020, no United supporter would’ve anticipated the phenomenal level of output produced by Bruno Fernandes.

The Portuguese international arrived as an unknown quantity to many, but he quickly showcased his talents, scoring 12 and registering eight assists in his first 22 outings for the club.

Since his debut campaign, the 30-year-old has gone from strength to strength at Old Trafford, now racking up a total of 99 goals in his 254 appearances for the Red Devils.

Bruno has since taken on the role of captaincy under various managers, highlighting the importance to the side and the faith shown in him to take the club back to their former glory.

Despite the failures under Amorim last campaign, the midfield still managed to thrive, notching 37 combined goals and assists – by far and away the highest tally of any player in the squad.

He continued to be a constant creative threat, extending his tally and remaining as the player with the most through balls completed in Europe since 2022/23 – with his tally higher than those of Kevin de Bruyne and Martin Odegaard.

There’s no denying he’s one of the best additions ever made by the recruitment team, with another player joining him in that department, given his own rise at the club.

The United star who’s been the best signing since Bruno

United have been known to conduct some questionable pieces of transfer business over the last couple of years, which has undoubtedly contributed to their demise.

The likes of Casemiro, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund all joined the Red Devils in deals worth £70m or over, but none of which have failed to make a consistent positive impression on the fanbase.

The latter two of the duo both departed the club in the closing stages of the transfer window, further showcasing the poor business conducted by the board over recent seasons.

However, the same can’t be said for defender Noussair Mazraoui, with the Moroccan international cementing himself as a key player since his move 12 months ago.

The Red Devils paid just £12.7m for his signature from Bayern Munich, making him one of the cheaper additions made by Erik ten Hag during his time in Manchester.

Such a move now appears to be a genius one, as the 27-year-old ended the 2024/25 campaign with 57 appearances across all competitions – the most of any player in the first-team squad.

He operated in various roles such as wing-back, full-back and centre-back, showcasing his versatility which made him such an important aspect of Amorim’s system.

Games played

37

Minutes played

2848

Pass accuracy

86%

Dribbles completed

60%

Tackles made

2.2

Tackle success rate

60%

Cross success rate

26%

Duels won

6.8

Mazraoui has already earned himself huge admirers behind the scenes at United, with multiple insiders claiming that the former Ajax star is the best signing made by the club in many years.

His underlying stats in 2024/25 further highlight his impressive start to life in England, leading to journalist Umir Irfan labelling the full-back as “incredible”.

The Moroccan won 2.2 tackles per 90 last campaign, winning 60% of the dispossession attempts he entered – subsequently showcasing his tremendous ability out of possession.

He also thrived with the ball at his feet, completing 86% of the passes he attempted, whilst also completing 60% of his dribbles, which allows him to end the year with two assists despite his defensive role.

£12.7m for a player of Mazraoui’s quality is a tremendous piece of business – especially when taking into account the failures of the players before him who accrued mammoth sums of money.

Should he carry on at such a level in 2025/26, there’s no reason as to why he can’t be as important as Bruno in the club’s hunt for success in the near future.

Ten Hag sold Man Utd's "young Giggs" for just £15m, now he's like Mbeumo

Manchester United made a huge mistake in allowing one talented star to leave under Erik ten Hag.

1 ByEthan Lamb Sep 11, 2025

Alejandro Garnacho got inked once again as a new tattoo can be seen on his neck during the latest Chelsea games. Garancho have had a slow start at Stamford Bridge since moving from Manchester United in the last transfer window. He had a fallout with manager Ruben Amorim during the Europa League final last season and was put in Amorim's 'bomb squad' throughout the summer.

• Garnacho's slow start to life at Chelsea

  Since completing his move from United to Chelsea in August, Garnacho has appeared in just four matches across all competitions, starting in only two of them. While he is yet to record a goal or an assist, it was from his cross that Benfica's Richard Rios scored the own goal that handed the Blues their first win in the Champions League this season.    

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Meaning of Garnacho's new tattoo revealed

  Lately, fans have noticed a new tattoo that Garnacho has been showing off on his neck. The words that are inked just below his Adam's apple read: "Nunca es suerte, siempre es Dios." It translates to: "It's never luck, it's always God."    

• Garnacho's other tattoos

  The neck tattoo is one of many Garnacho has, with the most prominent one being a tribute to the hit TV show 'Prison Break'. He regularly shows off his body art on social media.  

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• AFP
  

  Chelsea host Liverpool next

  After a morale-boosting win over Benfica on Tuesday, Enzo Maresca's side will now shift their focus to the Premier League again as they host reigning English champions Liverpool on Saturday.   

Scotland pulled off the first upset of the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers by denying Hayley Matthews, who single-handedly kept West Indies in the game despite leaving the field twice with severe cramps, and beating the side by 11 runs.Matthews became only the fourth player to take four wickets and score a century in an ODI but West Indies’ over-reliance on her cost them. She took four of the first five Scotland wickets and forced herself to return to the crease twice – once off a stretcher to keep batting when West Indies were nine wickets down – but it was not enough. Scotland were the side that rallied around Sarah Bryce’s 55 (off 56 balls) and her 82-run fifth wicket stand with Megan McColl and then their spinners. Offpinners Katherine Fraser and Darcy Carter and legspinner Abtaha Maqsood took six wickets between them to defend 244 and get their first points on the board.Temperatures were close to 40 degrees Celcius with humidity at around 60% and conditions took their toll across both games in Lahore. West Indies used cooling collars made of ice packs during drinks breaks, Scotland took shelter under umbrellas and Ireland’s Gaby Lewis received treatment on field three times for cramps during her 96 minutes of batting against hosts Pakistan.Related

• Pakistan squad for Qualifiers: Shawaal Zulfiqar back after long injury layoff

• Six teams, two World Cup spots on offer, many intrigues

• World Cup qualifiers 'a different kind of pressure', says Orla Prendergast

West Indies chose to bowl first on a green top at the LCCA Ground but Scotland were up to the task. Abbi Aitken-Drummond and Carter put on 48 inside 12 overs, in an innings laced with three boundaries each. Matthews brought herself on in the 12th over and had Aitken-Drummond and Kathryn Bryce caught behind in successive overs and Carter dismissed in her third and suddenly, Scotland were 69 for 3. When Chinelle Henry’s direct hit ran out Ailsa Lister West Indies finally looked like they had another player on the field and could run through Scotland.Sarah Bryce held the innings together but when she edged to slip, Scotland went into freefall. They lost 6 for 62 and were bowled out in 45 overs, as both Aaliyah Alleynne and Karishma Ramharack took two wickets each.The chase started poorly when Qiana Joseph gifted a caught-and-bowled to Carter. Zaida James was in at No.3 in the second over. She batted slowly but carefully and shared a 113-run stand with Matthews, which put West Indies well on track. They were 120 for 2 in the 27th over when James tried to hit Chloe Abel over fine leg but found the fielder at 45 and then chaos ensued.West Indies lost Shemaine Campbell, Stafanie Taylor and Henry in the space of 23 deliveries and of those, Taylor’s run-out was key but the required run-rate still manageable. West Indies needed 53 runs off 72 balls and Matthews was still batting, but only just.When Shabika Gajnabi was caught behind, Mathews was on 95 and hobbling. Cherry-Ann Fraser was out in the next over and it was clear Matthews was forcing herself to keep going but couldn’t. She left the field. Afy Fletcher lasted six balls and was dismissed for duck so Matthews came back on and hit four off the next ball she faced. She was on 99 and running out of partners. She fell to the ground wailing and then was stretchered off the field.Ramharack gave Fraser another caught and bowled to leave West Indies nine down when Matthews rolled herself off the stretcher and returned to bat. She brought a century and kept West Indies in the hunt but Alleynne couldn’t stay with her. She was out lbw in the 47th over, with West Indies 11 runs short. They have a day’s break before playing Ireland on Friday.File photo: Diana Baig picked up four wickets•Getty Images

In the day’s other match, hosts Pakistan had their bowlers, led by senior seamer Diana Baig, to thank for securing them a 38 run win over Ireland. Pakistan trudged through their innings to score 217 and Ireland were bossing the chase on 96 for 1 in side 24 overs. Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu took three wickets in four overs to leave Ireland’s middle-order exposed before Baig took care of the tail. She finished with figures of 4 for 35 in her first appearance for the team since their opening match of last year’s T20 World Cup and got Pakistan’s campaign off to a winning start.Ireland will have the same amount of recovery time – physically and emotionally – after believing they had done enough against Pakistan. Jane Maguire removed Gull Feroza early and Sidra Amin found run-scoring tough which meant the dot ball mounted up. Muneeba Ali tried to keep the scoreboard moving but Pakistan were 79 for 1 after 20 overs and going nowhere. Sidra was on 29 off 61 balls. Muneeba fell trying to get things going and was replaced by Aliya Riaz.Aliya showed more initiative and was scoring at a run-a-ball when Amin finally got to 50 off 110 balls and was then dismissed at the end of the 36th over. Pakistan were 153 for 3 after 36 overs and a score over 200 looked some distance away. Natalia Pervaiz came in ahead of captain Fatima Sana but was runmout for 12, by which time Aliya was also dismissed. Pakistan did not have the batters for a last ten-over push and lost 6 wickets for 42 runs from Aliya’s dismissal. They were bowled out with an over to spare for 217.That total didn’t look enough despite Baig’s new-ball breakthrough. She had Sarah Forbes given out lbw in the ninth over but a 69-run second wicket stand between Lewis and Amy Hunter started to take the game away. Ireland were 96 for 1 when Sandhu trapped Lewis on the back pad and dragged Pakistan into the game. Both Hunter and Delany played on, leaving Ireland 119 for 4 and Pakistan had the opportunity to burst through.Sadia Iqbal got rid of Leah Paul before Baig was brought back and removed Christina Coulter Reilly, Louise Little and Arelen Kelley in three overs. Cara Murray’s run-out confirmed Pakistan’s win. They will take on Scotland on Friday.

Everton’s summer has been one of change, ambition, and a clear attempt to rebuild under David Moyes.

The return of the former West Ham boss has ushered in a new era at Goodison Park, with the Toffees eager to put a difficult few seasons behind them.

The club marked their first competitive match at the newly opened Hill Dickinson Stadium with a 2-0 win against Brighton, where marquee signing Jack Grealish produced two assists in a sparkling debut.

That victory was followed up by another 2-0 triumph in the EFL Cup against Mansfield Town, underlining the positive early momentum.

The only blemish came on the opening day of the Premier League season, when Everton slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat at a raucous Elland Road against Leeds United.

Moyes has wasted little time reshaping his squad, recruiting a blend of proven quality and youthful promise.

Thierno Barry arrived from Villarreal, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joined from Chelsea, and Tyler Dibling was finally secured from Southampton.

Yet the Everton manager has made clear his intention to add further reinforcements before Monday’s deadline, with midfield depth a particular priority.

Everton turn to new midfielder

That urgency stems from the loss of several senior players in recent months.

Ashley Young, Abdoulaye Doucouré, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have all departed, leaving gaps in the squad.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

As speculation continues around further arrivals, Everton’s focus has now turned to a familiar face for their manager – a player he knows well and trusts implicitly.

Earlier this week, reports indicated that the Toffees had made a bid to sign West Ham star Tomas Soucek, but it was rejected.

Despite that, he would allegedly “jump at the chance” to sign for the club. That’s according to former Everton scout Bryan King.

Soucek, now 30, has been a mainstay in the Premier League since his arrival from Slavia Prague in 2020.

Over his time at the London Stadium, he has amassed 42 goals and 13 assists in 248 appearances, underlining his knack for arriving in the box and chipping in with crucial contributions.

He was also a central figure in West Ham’s famous Conference League triumph over Fiorentina, lifting the trophy in his native Prague.

Why Soucek is an upgrade on Doucouré

The move makes sense on multiple fronts.

Everton are light in midfield following Doucouré’s exit, and Soucek represents a ready-made solution who can slot into Moyes’ system immediately.

The comparison between Soucek and Doucoure is unavoidable. Doucouré, who joined Everton from Watford in 2020, became a fan favourite at Goodison Park.

His 21 goals and 14 assists in 166 appearances included some unforgettable moments, none bigger than the goal against Bournemouth on the final day of the 2022/23 season that kept Everton in the Premier League.

But having left for Saudi Pro League side Neom S.C. on a free transfer this summer, his departure has left Moyes searching for a like-for-like replacement.

One who could match his energy, athleticism, and threat. Soucek not only offers those traits but statistically provides an upgrade in several key areas.

Standing at 1.92m, he gives Everton a significant aerial advantage. According to FBref, he averaged 3.47 aerials won per 90 last season compared to Doucouré’s 1.05.

His physical presence also translates into defensive contribution, with 1.44 blocks per 90 compared to Doucouré’s 1.09, and slightly more tackles in the midfield third (0.81 vs 0.70).

In attacking output, the gap widens further. Last season, Soucek registered ten goal involvements, double that of Doucouré’s five.

He also took more shots per 90 (1.93 vs 1.09) and placed a higher percentage on target (30.9% vs 29.0%).

His ability to get into scoring positions is highlighted by his superior shot volume, while his long stride and late runs into the box often catch defenders unprepared.

Passing remains one area where Doucouré held the edge, completing more progressive carries (42 vs 9) and slightly more passes per 90 (25.4 vs 25.1) at a higher completion rate (80.3% vs 73.8%).

But Soucek compensates with his greater progressive passing distance per 90 (113.0 vs 79.1), demonstrating his tendency to move the ball forward into dangerous areas rather than recycling possession.

Perhaps the clearest indication of Soucek’s suitability for Moyes’ Everton lies in his reliability.

While Doucouré provided moments of brilliance, the Czech’s consistency, durability, and adaptability make him an ideal option to anchor Everton’s midfield in the seasons ahead.

His statistical profile suggests he can match, and in many cases exceed, what Doucouré offered, all while fitting seamlessly into a Moyes blueprint that values structure, pressing, and aerial dominance.

Matches Played

35

33

Starts

31

30

Goals

9

3

Assists

1

2

Progressive Carries

9

42

Progressive Passes

74

82

For Everton, signing the West Ham man would represent more than just replacing a departed player.

It would be a statement of intent – bringing in a proven Premier League performer who can offer immediate impact and leadership at a crucial juncture.

With Monday’s transfer deadline fast approaching, all eyes will be on whether the Toffees can get this deal over the line.

New Deulofeu: Everton enter race to sign "immense" £30m O'Brien upgrade

Everton are looking to sign a right-back before the summer transfer window slams shut.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 24, 2025

Newcastle United are looking to do all they can to sort out a new deal for a “sensational” player, amid rumours of a move to Manchester City.

Howe makes Isak admission and confirms Newcastle injury

After a two-week international break, the Magpies host Wolves in the Premier League this weekend, taking them on at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has opened up about his relationship with the departed Alexander Isak, and how his relationship with the Swede changed.

“Alex and I always enjoyed a great relationship. I loved working with him and I hope he loved working with us. We helped him become the player who departed us today and he helped us achieve some important milestones.

“The moment he went on strike our relationship did change and that was a turning point in our relationship. Communication became difficult from that point onwards.”

Meanwhile, Howe has also said that one of Newcastle’s new signings, Yoane Wissa, will miss the Wolves game after picking up an injury on international duty with the DR Congo.

Newcastle will do everything to seal new deal for "sensational" £80m star

Speaking to Football Insider, journalist Pete O’Rourke claimed that Newcastle are pushing hard to agree a new deal for £80m-rated right-back Tino Livramento, amid interest from City who are ready to accelerate a potential transfer.

Tying down Livramento to a new contract has to be seen as key business for Newcastle, especially with City potentially hovering for him in the future.

The 22-year-old has matured into such a consistent player for the Magpies, proving to be adept at both right-back and left-back, pushing hard to start for England at the 2026 World Cup next summer.

Livramento has been hailed as “sensational” by Magpie Media, while Theo Walcott even once claimed that the Englishman possessed an “aura” during his time at Southampton as a younger player.

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He can be a mainstay for Newcastle for many more years to come, possibly making the right-back spot his own after Kieran Trippier, and Howe will surely see him as a massive part of his future plans.