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Defensively, West Ham United have struggled in the 2024/25 Premier League season.

The Hammers, now led by Graham Potter, have one of the worst records in the top flight when it comes to conceding goals. There are only four sides that have shipped more than the East Londoners, with three of those the relegated sides.

As per Understat, West Ham have let in 59 goals this term, averaging 1.68 goals conceded per game. That overall number is actually more than three better than their expected goals against total, which is currently 62.73 xGA.

With that in mind, it might not be too much of a surprise that the Hammers are chasing some defensive reinforcements this summer.

The latest on West Ham's hunt for new defenders

One of the more ambitious defensive signings West Ham could try and make this summer would be to bring David Hancko to the club.

The Slovakian international seems destined to leave Feyenoord in a few weeks time, and Dutch publication Voetbal International report there is interest from Atletico Madrid, Al Nassr and Chelsea, as well as the Hammers.

The left-footed defender can play both left-back and left centre-back, and would add plenty of experience at the heart of the Hammers’ defence. He has made 44 appearances this term, for a Feyenoord side who have conceded just 33 top-flight goals.

Another defensive player who West Ham seem like they could be in for this summer is Kyle Walker-Peters. The Southampton man was part of a relegated side this season, but has been an important player for the South Coast side.

A report from journalist Greame Bailey suggests the Hammers are one of the sides trying to sign Walker-Peters on a free transfer this summer. However, they will face competition from his former club, Tottenham Hotspur and South London side Crystal Palace.

Despite the leaky defence at St Mary’s, there is no denying Walker-Peters’ quality. Former Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl once said he is an “unbelievably smart footballer”, and compared him to legendary right-back Phillipp Lahm.

The Hammers will certainly need to raise funds to afford the wages of both of these players. There is one obvious candidate who could leave the club to make room in the wage budget.

The defender West Ham must axe this summer

One player who has had no involvement in a Hammers shirt this season is Kurt Zouma. The Frenchman, who hails from Lyon, is currently out on loan at Saudi Arabian side Al-Orobah and has not played for West Ham at all this season.

In fact, the former Chelsea player has not had too much first-team football for his temporary side Al-Orobah, either. He has only featured 16 times in all competitions, with 15 of those games coming in the Saudi Pro League.

At one stage, the centre-back was viewed as a vital cog in the works at the London Stadium. He joined the club in 2021 for £25m after leaving Chelsea, and was described as the club’s “first choice” signing at by former manager David Moyes at the time of his arrival.

The 30-year-old made just over a century of appearances in the famous claret and blue shirt, specifically reaching 103 games for the club. Zouma even skippered the club on 37 occasions and scored six times, including one goal in a 2-1 win away to Luton Town last term.

The Frenchman was also an important figure in the Hammers’ Conference League triumph back in 2022. As per Sofascore, he played seven games in that competition, averaging 2.8 aerial duels won and 1.9 tackles won per game.

Zouma stats in 2021/22 Conference League

Stat

Per 90

Total

Minutes played

68.1

477

Pass accuracy

85.5%

85.5%

Long balls completed

1.7

9

Tackles and interceptions

1.9

10

Aerial duels won

2.8

15

Stats from Sofascore

Overall, it does seem as though Zouma’s career has petered out at the London Stadium. His contract will expire in a few weeks’ time, and it seems unlikely to be renewed, given his current loan move to Al Orobah.

Not only will that free up money on the wage budget for the Hammers, but they will also be able to reinvest it into new signings that could include Hancko and Walker-Peters.

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West Ham may soon feel the effects of a Frank Lampard repeat…

Posts ByJoe Nuttall May 4, 2025

The footballing gods were in playful mood on Tuesday evening, as Manchester United slipped to a 13th Premier League defeat of the season, having been undone by one of their own academy graduate at the City Ground.

Now plying his trade for Nottingham Forest, Anthony Elanga ripped through the Red Devils at breakneck speed to net what proved to be the game’s only goal, with the fleet-footed Swede having now registered 29 goals and assists since leaving United back in 2023.

Sold for just £15m, the 22-year-old has made that fee look an absolute “bargain” amid his form since – as noted by analyst Ben Mattinson – albeit with new boss Ruben Amorim appearing to refute claims that selling the winger was a mistake.

Speaking in his post-match press conference following the 1-0 defeat, Amorim suggested that in-form players like Elanga – and Marcus Rashford – had been given a fair “chance” to succeed at Old Trafford, while then going on to state that the “pressure is too big” for certain players at the club.

In essence, the 40-year-old appeared to hint that such talents have only been able to flourish after breaking free of the scrutiny that comes with playing for such a historic club like United.

In the case of Elanga, his fruitful stint at Forest has followed a return of just four goals and four assists in 55 first-team games for United – were the club really in the wrong to sell him?

Why Man Utd sold Elanga in 2023

In the view of journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the “only mistake” that the Red Devils – then led by Erik ten Hag – made was “not getting a higher fee” for the Swedish speedster upon his exit almost two years ago, with Elanga hardly setting the world alight prior to that departure.

Despite scoring his first senior goal away at Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final day of the 2020/21 campaign, it wasn’t until the arrival of interim boss, Ralf Rangnick, that Elanga properly forced his way into the first-team frame the following season.

Much of the winger’s impact came in the final few months of 2021/22, having scored away at Brentford and Leeds United, as well as in the 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Those latter two strikes came in just the space of a few days, although as it proved, Elanga wouldn’t score again for the club after that, having been reduced to a bit-part role following Ten Hag’s arrival.

As the BBC’s Simon Stone has stated, the Dutchman ‘did not feel Elanga had the quality needed to be enough of an influence on his squad’, hence the decision to let him depart.

Having failed to score in 26 games in 2022/23, there were likely few objections when the Malmo-born starlet was eventually sold, not least with Alejandro Garnacho having emerged that season.

Hindsight might suggest that Ten Hag was mistaken in his view of Elanga, although it could be argued that United already have a bigger talent on the flanks – he just wasn’t playing on Tuesday…

The Man Utd star who's worth more than Elanga

There were instant comparisons made between the performances of Garnacho and Elanga at the City Ground, with the Argentine perhaps in danger of heading the same way as his former teammate, amid talk of an exit.

That said, it’s worth remembering that as Elanga toiled in 2022/23, a star was born in Garnacho, with the then-teenager ending that campaign with nine goals and assists in the senior ranks.

In a team that looks far too content with playing it safe in attack, Garnacho is, to his credit, a risk tasker – so too, is Amad Diallo.

As previously explored, the Ivorian had fallen behind the likes of Elanga in the pecking order amid a muted start to life in Manchester, with the diminutive left-footer having arrived on a £19m deal from Atalanta in January 2021.

It has arguably taken until this season for the one-time Rangers and Sunderland loanee to truly become a central figure at Old Trafford, but boy, has he taken his chance.

Player

Current club

Market value

Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United

£46m

Marcus Rashford

Aston Villa

£42m

Alejandro Garnacho

Manchester United

£38m

Scott McTominay

Napoli

£34m

Mason Greenwood

Marseille

£29m

Anthony Elanga

Nottingham Forest

£29m

Dwight McNeil

Everton

£21m

Angel Gomes

Lille

£17m

Andreas Pereira

Fulham

£17m

James Garner

Everton

£17m

Following Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim spell – which yielded two goals and one assist for Amad – the 22-year-old had been the shining light of United’s campaign, up until last month’s cruel injury blow, having chalked up 12 goal involvements in only 20 games under Amorim.

The wing “wizard” – as previously hailed by journalist James Copley – has nine goals and eight assists to his name in total this season, with Elanga, meanwhile, having contributed six goals and nine assists for Forest.

Currently leading his former colleague for goal contributions, Amad is also deemed to be the higher value asset, according to Transfermarkt, having seen his worth soar to £34m. Elanga, by contrast, is valued at ‘just’ £29m.

That rising valuation has followed the signing of a new long-term contract for the £120k-per-week sensation, with Amorim also providing a boost after suggesting that his rising star is set to return before the campaign is over.

As that bumper new deal has indicated, Amad represents the future of Man Utd. Elanga – for all his positive displays since leaving Old Trafford – is now part of the past.

Man Utd's £50k-p/w star is in danger of becoming the new Anthony Elanga

Man Utd saw Elanga come back to haunt them on Tuesday evening at the City Ground

ByRobbie Walls Apr 2, 2025

Nepal’s close defeat to South Africa means there’s only one Super Eight spot left in group D

S Rajesh & Sampath Bandarupalli11-Jun-2024 • Updated on 15-Jun-2024How can Netherlands go past Bangladesh?In group D, one Super Eight spot is still open after Nepal’s heartbreaking loss to South Africa. With Nepal and Sri Lanka out of the reckoning, the battle is between Bangladesh and Netherlands. Bangladesh will seal their slot with a win, but if they lose to Nepal in Kingstown, and if Netherlands beat Sri Lanka (both are Sunday night games), then it will come down to net run rates. Bangladesh have the NRR advantage too – they are on 0.478, compared to -0.408 for Netherlands.For Netherlands to qualify, the combined margins of those results will have to be at least 53 runs, if the teams batting first score 140. That means, if Bangladesh lose to Nepal by 38 runs – that’s the first game of the night – Netherlands will have to beat Sri Lanka by at least 15 runs. A smaller margin in either game will allow Bangladesh to qualify.

In three months’ time begins the road to the ODI World Cup in India and Gill might already be on it

Sidharth Monga23-Aug-20223:01

Takeaways: Gill and Axar’s steady progress in ODIs

The last three runs felt like they would take forever to get. A heart-stopping lbw appeal where a faint inside edge saved him but his partner Ishan Kishan ran himself out. Then an inside edge that missed the stumps and brought him a single. Then Deepak Hooda got out to a beauty from Brad Evans. The hundred finally came up serenely with a single through the covers, in the third ODI.Sweet relief for Shubman Gill, but not as though he was getting desperate for it. In fact, he sent back his good bat when he reached 50 in order to ration it. The remaining 80 runs came with a bat that was a little less special although in the 90s Gill did get conscious that he had been there twice before in international cricket without actually getting to a hundred.Related

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Hard as it is to believe but at the age of 22, a maiden international hundred for Gill has been a long time coming. It is a testament to Gill’s skill and potential that it has seemed to observers that it has been too long to get to three figures even though it has been just 11 Tests (where he is yet to get the role he is best suited for: middle order) and nine ODIs. He is after all a batter who left Virat Kohli in awe: “I was not even 10% as good as he is at this age.”Almost every time he has played an ODI, though, Gill has looked like he can get one. This one has brought him his second-consecutive Player-of-the-Series award. The quality of bowling he has faced is what it is but there are early unmistakable trends in how Gill has batted.Just like with Kohli, 50 overs is the format that comes the most naturally to Gill. So it is fitting that his first international century has come in an ODI. He is a traditionalist in that he seeks to eliminate risk from his batting. As he told the host broadcaster, “I was just trying to minimise the dot-ball percentage. If you look at my innings, I didn’t try to hit the ball. I just tried to time and tried to pick the gaps as much as possible.”This risk aversion sometimes keeps him from realising his potential in T20 cricket, but Gill is not your typical top-order batter who will score hundreds at an even pace in ODIs. Even in T20s, his least strong format, Gill doesn’t let spinners bowl. In ODIs, his strike rate in the middle overs is 112.22 as opposed to just 85.95 in the powerplay.Shubman Gill thoroughly enjoyed himself out in the middle•AFP/Getty ImagesIf Gill keeps this up against better attacks – there’s every indication he will albeit at a lesser frequency – he will just be the natural evolution of the India ODI run machine: similar efficiency with added dynamism. As Axar Patel said at the post-match press conference, Gill sweeps, reverse-sweeps and doesn’t mind the odd big hit in the middle overs.”The way he plays, ones and twos keep coming,” Axar said of Gill. “He doesn’t play many dot balls. That is his biggest positive. He keeps taking ones and twos and then converts the bad balls into boundaries. He plays spin very well. When there are five fielders in the circle in the middle overs, he uses sweep and reverse-sweep well to keep getting boundaries.”Zimbabwe’s attack might not be the toughest India will face but the conditions were not the easiest. Early-morning starts in this series have given the chasing teams a huge advantage. India won all three tosses and decided to challenge themselves by batting first in the dead rubber.Just take a look at what happened at the other end. Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan all struggled to time the ball because of the moisture-induced tackiness in the pitch. While Gill scored 130 off 97 balls, the other batters managed just 149 in 204 balls.In three months’ time begins the road to the ODI World Cup in India. Gill might already be on it.

Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler both impress in England’s series win

George Dobell at the Ageas Bowl26-Aug-20209Zak Crawley A breakthrough series. Looked a player of huge potential in compiling a classy 267 in the final Test. Blessed with a wide range of strokes, a decent defence and a calm temperament, Crawley looks comfortable against pace and spin and has the hunger to bat all day. Made 53 in his only other innings. Here to stay.8Stuart Broad Nagging, relentless and as hungry as ever, Broad continued to prove his enduring worth to England. Generally bowling full, straight and gaining just enough lateral movement to threaten both edges, he finished as the leading wicket-taker in this series. His batting looks better than it has for some time, too.7.5Jos Buttler A series that might have saved his Test career. After combining with Woakes in a match-winning partnership in Manchester, where he made an inventive 75, he combined with Crawley in establishing a record fifth-wicket partnership in Southampton. There he played his longest, biggest and perhaps most mature Test innings in making 152. He took a couple of outstanding catches in the final Test, too, and was named England’s player of the series. That said, he did miss five chances, so those worries about his keeping – especially to the spinners – persist.Chris Woakes Produced his best Test innings in several years – an unbeaten 84 – to see England to a memorable victory in Manchester and followed it with 40 in Southampton. He claimed four important wickets in that Manchester Test, too, when he bowled beautifully and was named player of the match. He perhaps wasn’t at his absolute best with the ball in the final two games as the demands of five successive Tests started to show.James Anderson celebrates taking his 600th Test wicket•Getty Images7James Anderson By his high standards, Anderson looked slightly out of sorts in Manchester. And when you’re 38, people sometimes jump to conclusions after a bad game. But he looked better in the rain-ruined second Test and claimed seven wickets in the final match of the series – including the 29th five-wicket haul of his Test career – to prove there’s some life left in him yet. Had England’s catching been better, he’d have reached the 600 milestone much sooner, but he got there in the end and made a pretty persuasive case to suggest there were a few more to come in the process.6Joe Root The figures are underwhelming but Root was dismissed only three times in the series and, on a couple of occasions, was the recipient of excellent deliveries. Yes, England would like more runs from him – his top score in the series was 42 – but he was hardly the only top-order player to struggle. Victory in the first Test made it six in a row for him as captain, while he also retains his record of never having lost a home series as leader. Retains the complete support of his team with Buttler the latest to report how some well-timed words from Root gave him confidence when required.Ben Stokes Limited to a walk-on part by family illness. Received two balls which might be considered close to unplayable to account for his dismissals but still produced a telling contribution with the ball. Despite not being able to bowl in the first innings in Manchester due to a quad injury, he came up with a typically hostile spell to make a key breakthrough in the second.5Jofra Archer He took four wickets in the first Test, was rested from the second and finished wicketless in the last. It seems England still aren’t entirely sure how to use Archer. Relegated to the role of change bowler by the return of Anderson – in last year’s Ashes, Anderson’s absence allowed Archer to take the new ball – he was all too often used in the role of short-ball aggressor. He certainly delivered in terms of pace – in the final Test, he bowled at speeds not seen from him since the Ashes – but the thought persists that he is at his best aiming for the top of off stump and utilising that bouncer as a shock delivery.Dom Bess The figures aren’t especially pretty, but they would have been a fair bit better had Buttler been able to accept any of the three chances he was offered off Bess in Manchester. Bess probably wasn’t helped by the absence of left-handers in the Pakistan top order, either, or the slow pitches and damp conditions that reduced him to a watching role in the second Test. But the series was a reminder that he is very much a player in the development phase of his career.Sam Curran Appeared in just one game in the series as England rested Archer and looked to shore up their middle-order in the absence of Stokes. Bowled nicely enough, too, in a supporting role.Ollie Pope looks on in training•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesOllie Pope A slightly disappointing series which ended with fears Pope had suffered a recurrence of the fractured shoulder which limited his opportunities in 2019. But he made what proved to be a crucial 62 in Manchester – nobody else in the top five made 15 – and was twice the recipient of balls which reared from a length to take his glove or the shoulder of the bat. He was also twice dismissed, in very similar style, by balls from Yasir Shah that hurried on to him. But when you pick a 22-year-old, it’s surely in expectation that they will be learning on the job.Dom Sibley Made it to 20 three times in four innings – which is no mean feat in the circumstances – but failed to capitalise. He looked admirably solid against the new ball, but twice fell attempting to push on against Yasir and was once caught down the leg side off Mohammad Abbas.2.5Rory Burns A desperately difficult series for top-order batsmen saw Burns receive a couple of brutishly good deliveries including one, in the second Test, that was probably unplayable. But an average of 5 can only be a disappointment and he did look fragile against the moving ball. Crawley’s development might have left him just a little vulnerable.

Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh is quite literally striking fear into opposing managers.

On Friday, Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford led off the top of the third inning with a single and Julio Rodriguez followed it up with a double to give Seattle runners on second and third with Raleigh and his MLB-leading 32 home runs stepping up to the plate. Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux emerged from the dugout to have a discussion with starter Nathan Eovaldi, and Texas then opted to intentionally walk Raleigh to load the bases with no one out.

While Texas's decision also set the club up for the double play, it was still the ultimate sign of respect towards baseball's home run leader.

The Mariners scored a run when second baseman Jorge Polanco grounded into a fielder's choice, then another when outfielder Randy Arozarena hit a sacrifice fly to left field. One could certainly argue that the damage had been limited.

But it wasn't the last time that Raleigh's power would force the Rangers into a tough decision. Just an inning later, Texas skipper Bruce Bochy faced a similar predicament, though this time there were two outs in the inning and the Mariners had two base runners with Raleigh again walking up to the batter's box.

And again, the Rangers intentionally walked the Mariners' backstop. Polanco grounded out to short and the Rangers emerged out of the top of the fourth having only surrendered a run.

It's hard to argue with the strategy, especially given how well Raleigh has been swinging the bat. He has belted 10 home runs in June, giving him a league-leading 32 for the season. Not only did Raleigh break Cincinnati Reds legend Johnny Bench's record for the most home runs by a catcher before the All-Star break (28), but he is also on pace to break Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez's record for the most home runs by a catcher in a season (48).

Oh, and Raleigh is pacing to break the American League single-season home run record of 62 home runs, set by New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge in 2022.

Can you blame the Rangers for not wanting to pitch to him with runners in scoring position?

GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their comfort zones in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.

This was, however, a weekend of mixed emotions for Britain's most high-profile footballing expats. Real Madrid's English duo endured a frustrating night against one of La Liga's most out-of-form teams, though Scotland's 2025 Ballon d'Or nominee played his part in a massive Serie A win for Napoli. There were also victories for Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund's prized Englishmen, but neither was able to leave a lasting mark on proceedings.

Every Monday this season, GOAL has the definitive lowdown on British stars abroad, what they're getting up to, who is reaching the greatest heights and who appears to be suffering with homesickness. Let's get stuck into this week's edition… 

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Kane takes backseat as Bayern leave it late

  Is it time to panic?! Harry Kane failed to find the back of the net for the second game in a row on Saturday as Bayern Munich ground out a dramatic 3-1 win over St Pauli in the Bundesliga. Kane played the full 90 minutes, but it was another subdued display from the England captain, who also failed to spark into life during Bayern's 3-1 Champions League defeat at Arsenal in midweek.

  Kane has scored only twice in his last seven games across those two competitions, well short of the standards he set earlier in the season. But the reality is, they were never going to be maintained across the campaign. Last term, Bayern suffered whenever Kane was slightly off his game, but the pressure on his shoulders is no longer so extreme. Natural dips in form are excusable because the Bundesliga leaders have more firepower elsewhere to hurt the opposition.

  Luis Diaz has been especially impressive during this quiet period for Kane. The former Liverpool winger is making a case for the title of best value signing of the summer, and notched two more goal involvements against St Pauli, taking his overall tally for the season to 18 in 19 appearances.

  St Pauli grabbed a surprise lead at Allianz Arena inside six minutes, and Bayern didn't find an equaliser until moments before the half-time whistle, when Diaz somehow produced a prodded assist for Raphael Guerreiro despite losing his footing in the box. The hosts laid siege to the St Pauli penalty area thereafter, but struggled to find a way through their stubborn rear-guard.

  A magical or superhuman moment was needed, and Diaz delivered in the third minute of stoppage time, busting a gut to get in behind enemy lines and head home a teasing Joshua Kimmich cross. Nicolas Jackson then added a third for good measure, but this was Diaz's night. Kane won't mind if the Colombian overshadows him as long as Bayern keep marching towards back-to-back Bundesliga successes, with Kompany's side now holding a healthy eight-point cushion over second-place RB Leipzig.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Alexander-Arnold still not convincing

  Real Madrid's impressive Clasico win over Barcelona on October 26 feels like a very long time ago. Los Blancos were five points clear at the top of La Liga after that result, but fast-forward just two months, and Barca have clawed their rivals back after reeling off four consecutive victories. 

  The reigning champions are now first by a point ahead of Madrid, who have drawn three in a row, with relegation-threatened Girona the latest team to inflict a damaging blow to the Xabi Alonso project. Los Blancos were made to pay for a dismal first-half showing at the Estadi Montilivi that saw them muster only one shot on target, with the hosts heading in at the break one up thanks to a lovely first-time finish from Azzedine Ounahi.

  Madrid improved in the second half, and secured a share of the spoils thanks to a Kylian Mbappe penalty, but on current form, they have little hope of dethroning Barca. One of Alonso's biggest concerns will be Trent Alexander-Arnold, who again failed to impose himself in attack and defence.

  The Liverpool academy graduate is enjoying an extended run in the team with Dani Carvajal out injured, but Real have looked far worse with the 27-year-old filling in at right-back. He was guilty of not tracking his man for Girona's goal, and almost gifted them another after misplacing a pass. 

  "It's his first year, and this adjustment period is normal," Alonso said when quizzed on Alexander-Arnold's poor form before the game. "He's also demanding of himself, and we have to support him through this significant change." But how long can Madrid afford to wait? The England international has to start proving his worth, or else Carvajal will instantly be reinstated to the starting XI when he returns to action in the New Year.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  McTominay helps Napoli edge top-of-the-table clash

  November was a very mixed month for Napoli. The Serie A title holders opened with successive goalless draws against Como and Eintracht Frankfurt before losing 2-0 at Bologna, after which Antonio Conte sparked talk he may resign by declaring, "I don’t want to accompany a dead man".

  But Napoli have since come out fighting for their manager. A 3-1 win over Atalanta got them back on track domestically before they put Qarabag to the sword in the Champions League, which perfectly set up a meeting with Serie A leaders Roma on Sunday.

  As expected, it was a tight game at Stadio Olimpico with so much at stake. In the end, Napoli edged it courtesy of a superb goal from David Neres, who ran almost the entire length of the field to finish off a rapid counter-attack after good work from Rasmus Hojlund. 

  Usually, it's Scott McTominay who inspires Napoli in the biggest games, but the Scotland international didn't get the time or space to make a decisive impact in Rome. That is partly due to the fact he is being asked to play in a more withdrawn role as Conte deals with a mini-injury crisis and a change in formation.

  "Some said that McTominay is being sacrificed in this system, but in my view that is his role too, he is a box-to-box midfielder," the Italian coach said after the 1-0 win, which took Napoli back to second in the table, behind AC Milan on goal difference. "We couldn’t do anything else, as only [Eljif] Elmas is an alternative, and that’s not even his role. These lads are proving their enthusiasm, hunger and determination every day, it is what allowed us to win the Scudetto last season, something incredible."

  Indeed, McTominay's hunger shone through with his work off the ball. He posted four clearances and seven ball recoveries across the 90 minutes to help ensure Napoli kept Roma at bay. The former Manchester United midfielder always finds a way to lead by example, and Napoli will be there-or-thereabouts in the final title reckoning once again as long as he stays fit.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Jobe back to square one

  Borussia Dortmund have won six of their last nine matches across all competitions since losing to Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker back in mid-October, and their latest triumph was undoubtedly their most important yet. It wasn't always pretty, but Niko Kovac's side leapfrogged Bayer Leverkusen into third in the Bundesliga with a 2-1 win at Bay Arena on Saturday.

  Goals from Aaron Anselmino and Karim Adeyemi secured the three points as BVB gave up the lion's share of possession and hit Leverkusen on the break. The gritty, clinical performance pleased Kovac, who told reporters after the final whistle: "We played a really cool away game today. The team have shown that they can survive here as well. We made a lot of plans for this game. The team implemented them really well, and after this, hopefully the talk that we cannot win against big teams this season will stop."

  Unfortunately, though, Jobe Bellingham didn't really contribute to Dortmund's "cool game". The former Birmingham City wonderkid was restricted to a 10-minute cameo and managed only four touches, all of which came in his own half. 

  Bellingham seemed to have turned a corner after playing 90 minutes against Hamburg and Stuttgart, but it seems that Kovac still doesn't trust him in the most pivotal fixtures. He was also a late substitute in the 4-0 Champions League win over Villarreal last week, and it won't be a surprise if he's back on the bench when Dortmund face Leverkusen again in the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday.

  There is growing speculation that Bellingham could seek a move away from Signal Iduna Park in January, with BVB reportedly open to a loan amid interest from Paris FC in Ligue 1. While that would be a backwards step, the 20-year-old needs regular football to rebuild his confidence; only then will he have any chance of emulating his brother Jude and break into the England senior set-up.

حسم التعادل السلبي نتيجة مباراة صن داونز الجنوب إفريقي ومولودية الجزائر، في إطار منافسات دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا. 

وواجه فريق مولودية الجزائر نظيره صن داونز في التاسعة مساء بتوقيت القاهرة، على ملعب 5 جويليه بالجزائر، في الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا. 

طالع.. فيديو | صن داونز يكتسح سانت إيلوي بثلاثية في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

ويقع صن داونز في المجموعة الثالثة من مجموعات دوري أبطال إفريقيا، رفقة أندية مولودية الجزائر والهلال السوداني وسانت لوبوبو. 

بهذه النتيجة رفع فريق صن داونز رصيده إلى 4 نقاط، في صدارة ترتيب المجموعة الثالثة من دوري الأبطال.

بينما رفع فريق مولودية الجزائر رصيده إلى نقطة وحيدة في المركز الثالث بجدول ترتيب المجموعة. 

Chelsea’s transfer strategy over the last few seasons has seen them sign plenty of hugely talented players.

The likes of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Estevao and Marc Cucurella, for example, are some of the most exciting in the Premier League.

However, the Blues have also signed more than their fair share of flops, some of whom still need to be moved on as soon as possible.

This includes an international centre-back who was once compared to John Terry.

The worst centre-backs signed under Todd Boehly

While Chelsea have made at least one poor signing in practically every position since Todd Boehly and Co took charge, they seem to have had particular bad luck at centre-back.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ series has everything you need.

For example, ranking as one of the worst signings the club have made over the last few years is Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

The Blues paid Napoli around £33m for the then-highly rated and vastly experienced defender in 2022, and to their credit, it seemed like a good signing at the time.

After all, the monster centre-back was long seen as one of the best in his position in Europe, but it quickly became apparent that the West Londoners had picked him up a few years too late.

He was slow on and off the ball, prone to mistakes, and simply looked out of place in the Premier League, and was sold to Saudi Pro-League side Al-Hilal after just one year.

Another defender who has failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge, or even get close to them, is Benoit Badiashile.

The former AS Monaco gem joined the Blues in January 2023 for a fee of around £35m, and at the time, fans thought the club had just secured one of the best up-and-coming defenders in French football.

After all, he made his debut for the Ligue 1 side at just 17 years old, and by the time Chelsea came knocking, he had already amassed an impressive tally of 135 appearances for them.

Standing 6 foot 4 inches tall and described as the “complete centre-back” by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his speed, power and ability on the ball, it seemed like he would be a hit.

Unfortunately, while he wasn’t as bad as Koulibaly, he has still made far too many mistakes and was limited to just 16 starts across all competitions last season.

There might be a way back for the Frenchman now he’s fit again, but the same cannot be said for one of his teammates, who was once compared to the iconic John Terry.

The Chelsea player compared to John Terry

One of the members of Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad,’ Maresca and Co. need to get rid of Axel Disasi as soon as possible, for his benefit as much as the club’s.

It’s hard to imagine it now, but when the 27-year-old centre-back first joined the Blues, in the summer of 2023, there was a fair deal of excitement from fans and pundits alike.

After all, here was a French international who had made a brief appearance in the World Cup final the winter before and someone who was one of the most exciting defenders in Ligue 1.

In fact, just a few years before his move to Stamford Bridge, talent scout Jacek Kulig compared him to Virgil van Dijk and described him as “a true hidden gem” who was “born to play in England.”

The Gonesse-born titan’s time in West London couldn’t have got off to a better start, either, as on his debut, he scored a header to earn his side a point against Liverpool.

Unfortunately, over the following months, he would begin to struggle with the quality of the league, but then-boss Mauricio Pochettino kept him in the team, and away to Manchester City in February, he got his rewards.

The former AS Monaco ace was sensational against the champions, and according to Jamie Carragher, his “John Terry performance” was the reason the Blues left the Etihad with a point.

Appearances

61

Minutes

4974

Starts

56

Goals

5

Assists

2

Points per Game

1.89

That is just about the highest praise a Chelsea defender can get, and unfortunately, he has not performed anywhere close to that level since.

The following season saw him stay at Stamford Bridge for the first half, but he was sent on loan to Aston Villa for the second half, where he made ten appearances and failed to stamp his authority on the backline.

Things have gotten even worse this year, as, at the time of writing, the only appearance he has made was for the club’s U21S against Reading’s U21S last week.

Unfortunately, it is clear that Maresca has no intention of even including Disasi in his squad this season, so considering he’s earning £80k-per-week, and for his own sake, Chelsea should look to sell him as soon as possible.

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Scottish Premiership reporter Ryan Cryle has now shared what he’s heard about Aberdeen’s record move to sign Sunderland midfielder Adil Aouchiche as the attacking midfielder continues to struggle out on loan in Scotland.

The Black Cats sent the Frenchman out on loan in the summer after putting together their own squad full of in-depth quality. Those in Wearside handed Regis Le Bris a squad capable of survival and more and have watched on as he’s taken them to new heights in the Premier League ever since.

Sat as high as fourth in England’s top flight, Sunderland have the chance to move into the top two if they defeat Arsenal and become the first side in eight games to score against the Gunners.

Owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus hasn’t hidden his ambitions for the club after such a strong start either, telling reporters that the Black Cats have set their sights on a top 10 finish in their first season back in the Premier League.

Whilst they continue to benefit from the players that they welcomed, however, Aberdeen are struggling after agreeing a loan deal to sign Aouchiche from Sunderland in the summer.

Reporter shares update on Aberdeen's Aouchiche move

Speaking to Mackem News, Cryle admitted that Aouchiche will have to do more to earn a permanent move to Aberdeen in what would be the club’s record deal at £1.5m.

The Aberdeen reporter said: “In terms of output, Aouchiche’s performances were quite exciting to begin with, without the final pass/shot, but left you thinking: Once he gets going, he’ll be a player.

“However, in what has been a generally dismal start to the season for Aberdeen as a collective domestically and in Europe, it feels like Aouchiche has increasingly struggled to play any active role in games.

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“There’s no rush to do a deal. However, £1.5m would be a club record fee for Aberdeen, and it seems pretty obvious to me that Aouchiche will need to do a lot more over the remainder of the season to justify such an outlay.”

Aberdeen sit as low as ninth in the Scottish Premiership and Aouchiche’s performances have hardly helped. The 23-year-old has scored just one goal and assisted another two in 14 appearances in all competitions. Given the expectations that were placed on his shoulders, there’s no denying that he’s struggling to make his mark.

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