Tag Futebol

Crystal Palace are now eyeing Lyon starlet Tyler Morton as a possible replacement for Adam Wharton, amid a new update on the midfielder’s future at Selhurst Park.

Wharton’s future at Selhurst Park remains up in the air, with a number of Premier League clubs emerging as potential suitors for the midfielder, including Chelsea, and it has now been revealed the Blues are “actively in talks” over a deal.

The 21-year-old was recently called up to the England squad by Thomas Tuchel, having remained a key player for Oliver Glasner’s side this season, with perhaps his most impressive performance coming in the 2-1 win against Liverpool, creating two big chances and making four key passes.

Unfortunately, the Eagles have become accustomed to losing some of their best players in recent years, with Michael Olise moving to Bayern Munich and Eberechi Eze joining Arsenal, and the former Blackburn Rovers man will also continue to attract attention from top clubs if he continues his current performance levels.

Consequently, Glasner & co may have to start thinking about bringing in a replacement, and a report has now given an update on their chances of signing a former Liverpool player…

Crystal Palace eyeing Tyler Morton

According to a report from Jeunes Footeux (via Sport Witness), Crystal Palace are now eyeing a move for Lyon midfielder Morton, a matter of months after he left Arne Slot’s side to sign for the Ligue 1 club.

The French side are currently experiencing financial difficulties, which means they may be tempted to cash-in, should Palace be willing to come to the negotiating table with a ‘substantial offer’.

The Eagles are currently monitoring the 23-year-old closely, as they are preparing for Wharton’s departure in 2026, amid interest from a number of unnamed clubs.

The Wallasey-born midfielder, who is represented by the same agent as Borna Sosa, found it difficult to establish himself as a first-team regular at Liverpool, but he has been a key player for Lyon this season, most recently picking up an assist in a 3-2 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

Scout Ben Mattinson has also provided a positive review of the Englishman’s key attributes, saying: “Morton is a complete midfielder with an all-round ability to dictate tempo with his passing, carry forward and win the ball. Particularly his long passing stands out.”

Game time may have been hard to come by at his former club, but the Liverpool academy graduate did manage to impress when given the opportunity, having been singled out for praise for his performance against West Ham United last season.

Morton is at the right age to be a solid long-term replacement for Wharton, but Crystal Palace’s main priority should be to keep hold of their current central midfielder.

Crystal Palace identify Ezri Konsa as Marc Guehi replacement

There is also the intriguing question of what would have happened if the selectors had said no from the start

Alex Malcolm16-Oct-20241:36

What’s the logic of moving Smith back down the order?

George Bailey was very careful with his words when he revealed that Steven Smith would no longer be opening the batting in Australia’s Test team.”Steve had expressed a desire to move back down from that opening position,” Australia’s chair of selectors said on Monday before stating that captain Pat Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald had confirmed that Smith would be moving. Bailey was explicit too in noting that he, despite being the chair, did not decide the order.Smith’s dalliance with opening in Test cricket has been mostly criticised and there are a lot of people who believe it never should have happened.Related

• Australia's opening gamble: Is Sam Konstas ready for Test cricket?

• Australia's selection race: who is in the running to face India?

• Sam Konstas vaults into Australia A squad after twin hundreds

• Steven Smith's Test opening stint over with middle-order return for India

• Australia quicks' unbroken summer could be an 'outlier'

And that is a thread worth pulling on. What if it never did happen?The intriguing part is not the question of who would have opened instead of Smith, which is fascinating but now a moot point. The intriguing part is what would have happened to Smith if the selectors had said no to his request to open the batting.This is where Bailey’s words are instructive. It has been lost somewhat that Smith drove the move. He requested to open the batting initially. He put it on the public agenda. The captain and coach both expressed their preference that Smith stay in No. 4 in the immediate days after Smith flagged his interest. Only after he confirmed his seriousness in undertaking the challenge did the team hierarchy conclude that it was worth doing to accommodate the selection of Cameron Green at No. 4 without forcing someone else to open against their wishes.There will be plenty of people who will say the decision-makers abdicated their responsibilities in that moment and that they should have told Smith it was a bad idea that wasn’t going to be entertained.That criticism is not unreasonable. Selectors, coaches and captains must make tough decisions and have tough conversations. But every decision has consequences and opportunity cost.Steven Smith wasn’t alone in find things tricky at the top•Getty ImagesSmith was hinting he was growing weary of the monotony of batting at No. 4. He has conquered every challenge there is in that role. His returns had been diminishing, albeit receding from a ridiculously high watermark. He had averaged 42.22 in the calendar year of 2023, and just 38.80 with a highest score of 50 in six innings against Pakistan prior to his move to the top of the order.It would take a brave and stubborn leader to hear one of Australia’s greatest ever Test batters request a fresh challenge and then flat out reject it when it was going to solve a selection headache.How would Smith have felt about that? There will be plenty who will argue that players should play the role they’re given rather than dictate terms. But if anyone has earned the right to at least request such a move, it is Smith.And given that he has been less than enthusiastic about shifting from No. 3 to No. 4 in Australia’s ODI team in recent times against his preference, the consequences of denying him the chance to open the batting in the Test team are worth considering. It is also worth noting his returns at No. 4 in the ODI side since the shift have been below his career record, coincidentally or otherwise.Had he remained at No. 4 in the Test side against West Indies and New Zealand there aren’t any guarantees he would have performed any differently than he did opening the batting. Would Australia have won in Brisbane had he been batting at No. 4, given he made an exceptional 91 not out in the chase as an opener? Would he have made a match-winning 174 not out at the Basin Reserve, as Green did? Could he have averaged more than 28.50? Those questions will never be answered. The added strands to Smith staying at No. 4, like how a different opener would have gone and what would have happened to Green, are also unanswerable.At least with Smith opening, he got a taste of what the alternate universe looks like and can potentially return to No. 4 with renewed vigour against India. Had he remained there, he may instead be feeling like Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day heading into this summer.That said, was the move as much of a failure as it has been made out to be?Smith’s average of 28.50 at the top across eight innings in those two Test series was not as bad as it appears on paper. His 91 not out was the highest score by any opener in the four Tests, with only three half-century scores registered by all the openers who played. Usman Khawaja averaged 32.42 in the same four games. Tom Latham averaged 31 in the two Tests in New Zealand but had two single figure scores in Wellington. Will Young, Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul all averaged single figures.There will be plenty of focus on whether Steven Smith can rekindle his best form against India•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesMarnus Labuschagne averaged 16.85 at No. 3 in those same four Tests, with a score of 90, while Kane Williamson averaged 19.25 at No. 3 in New Zealand with a half-century. The conditions were difficult.Smith’s returns were also on par with the career averages of the three main contenders to now take the role in Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw, while David Warner averaged 30.12 across the final two years of his career.Beyond the numbers though, Smith’s initial move to open followed by his request to move back will have unintended consequences despite Green’s injury paving the way for an easy transition.The first of those falls on the team leadership when or if one of Harris, Bancroft or Renshaw gets the nod. All will feel pressure to prove themselves on Test match return in any case, but a nagging sense that they weren’t the first-choice option could be an added burden.A bolt from the blue like Sam Konstas would provide another twist. That would provide a clean, uncomplicated end to a slightly messy 11 months and signal a fresh start although depending on when Green is available again for Test cricket, another debate is on the cards.It will probably end up as a footnote on a storied career, but Smith’s time as a Test opener was a fascinating chapter.

Newcastle United will need to show they can pick up results on the road consistently to continue their fine start to December.

At St James’ Park so far this month, which is the Magpies’ dependable fortress, Eddie Howe’s men have collected a draw and a win, with only two losses from eight matches coming their way on their own turf this season so far.

In stark contrast, three losses have been tallied up away from home, with only one away win next to their name sticking out as a worrying fact.

In their defence, the only success on the road this season saw them emphatically get the better of Everton 4-1 in the Premier League, which might well stand them in good stead against Bayer Leverkusen and Sunderland to come.

Howe will hope his team’s up-and-down nature has been rectified by the time the January transfer window swings back open, with a potentially busy month ahead for the Toon in terms of incomings.

Newcastle looking to sign new midfielder

The unpredictability of January could also see Newcastle offload a couple of players, too, with reserve centre-forward option William Osula alleged to be keen to move away from St James’ Park.

There are also rumours bubbling away about fresh faces joining the building, with former Leicester City ace Bilal El Khannouss just one of many options catching the Toon’s eye in the middle of the park. On top of him, a cut-price £13m move for Ferencváros TC star Alex Tóth could be on the agenda.

The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope has added more fuel to the fire by revealing that Howe and Co are set to make a move for rising AZ Alkmaar star Kees Smit, with the reported transfer fee floating about for his services coming in at the £30m price range.

The inconsistent Toon have long been admirers of the well-rounded Dutchman, and with Manchester United and Liverpool circling, this would be seen as a statement move in January, as Newcastle prepare to spend the big bucks once more. Hope has already described the youngster as “one of Europe’s most exciting teenagers” so this one is certainly something to kick and scream about.

How Smit can be Howe's future Guimaraes

Howe will hope, by landing Smit, that he wins himself a future Bruno Guimaraes, which will be music to the ears of the devoted Tyneside fanbase, after the much-loved Brazilian only affirmed his legendary status at the club more with that audacious strike versus Burnley.

The 28-year-old is now synonymous with Newcastle, with his corner kick effort sailing straight over the head of Martin Dubravka, further backing up comments by his manager that he is a “difference-maker”.

Of course, Smit has some way to go before he’s pulling off screamers like Guimaraes’ ingenious effort regularly in the Premier League, but the 19-year-old does have a powerful effort up his sleeve, with his ability to conjure up a moment of magic from a very early age also seeing scout Jacek Kulig laud him as a “super talent.”

Indeed, this sumptuous effort in the U19 Euros in the summer shows off a star who is incredibly confident and assured in front of goal, with Smit now up to ten goal contributions in the senior ranks at AZ. Newcastle’s beloved captain is up to 27 goals and 29 assists himself in the senior picture at St James’ Park, with Howe hopeful that Smit could reach these levels in time, so he can replace the 28-year-old down the line.

It’s not just their output in terms of goals and assists that makes the two talents in question similar, however, with Smit’s energy and determination centrally also placing himself on the same pedestal as the industrious South American, which has led to the AZ number 26 even being branded as a “duel monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, a tag regularly placed on Guimaraes’ shoulders.

Games played

18

14

Goals scored

0

2

Assists

0

2

Touches*

38.8

62.7

Accurate passes*

23.3 (85%)

42.7 (89%)

Key passes*

1.3

1.8

Big chances created

3

3

Ball recoveries*

3.3

5.7

Total duels won*

2.9

3.3

Smit has certainly grown into being more of a lively performer centrally this season in the Eredivisie, when looking at the table above, making 5.7 ball recoveries and winning 3.3 duels per game.

In constract, the Newcastle skipper has made 5.1 ball recoveries, but he does blow Smit out of the water in the duels department, having won a fierce 5.4 duels so far this campaign in the demanding Premier League.

Still, with the upward trajectory the table outlines, he could reach Guimaraes’ commanding levels very soon, as Howe prepares to win himself a standout talent for the future in January, by securing Smit’s coveted services.

Newcastle star was entering Obertan territory, now he's their "best player"

This Newcastle United star is now beginning to turn around his underwhelming Premier League season.

ByKelan Sarson 4 days ago

CA chief executive believes there is no correlation between Khawaja’s injury and the three days of golf he played in the lead-in to the Test match

Alex Malcolm22-Nov-2025

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has defended Usman Khawaja saying it is “drawing a long bow” to suggest that his decision to play golf prior to the Test match impacted the back spasms that he suffered on the opening day in Perth.Khawaja, 38, has come under scrutiny after the issue forced him off the field late in England’s short first innings on Friday. His absence was ill-timed as England then collapsed while he was stretching to overcome the spasm and it left stand-in captain Steven Smith calling for Khawaja to come back onto the field.Khawaja eventually did return to the field for the end of the innings but, according to ICC rules, had not returned for the equal amount of time he had been off and therefore was ineligible to open the batting. It meant Marnus Labuschagne was forced to open and Smith batted at No.3. Khawaja eventually batted at No.4 and was dismissed for just 2.Khawaja fielded for all 15 overs Australia bowled prior to lunch on day two and looked unaffected. But he dropped a catch at slip after lunch and then jumped for another and his back seized up again. He left the field for the last 48 minutes of England’s second innings and was unable to open again, with Travis Head walking out for the fourth-innings chase alongside Weatherald.”Unfortunately Uzzy is not moving too well,” Cummins told Fox Cricket on Saturday afternoon. “His back flared up again in the slips going for a jump above his head so he’s unable to open.”We were trying to work out whether we shuffle everyone up like the first innings, but Trav ran off and he was keen to give it a crack.”He’s done it quite a bit in white ball cricket so we switched those roles.”Hopefully Uzzy can still fill in a role in the middle order at some point.”Don’t think we’ll see him until after Marn and Smithy.”CA stressed it was a new injury that he had not suffered prior to Friday. Khawaja had played golf on Tuesday and Wednesday either side of Australia’s training sessions. He skipped Thursday’s optional session, with only four of Australia’s XI doing any training, to play golf alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. Several of Australia’s coaching staff also played in the afternoon after the main session.Greenberg, an avid golfer himself who sat with Perth-born professional golfer Min Woo Lee at Perth Stadium on Friday, said there was no correlation between Khawaja’s golf and his back issue.”[Golf] has held him in good stead over the last couple of years. It’s not uncommon for a lot of them to play golf a day prior,” Greenberg told SEN. “Did that correlate to any of the issues? I personally don’t think so.”Usman’s a very seasoned campaigner, he knows his body well, and he knows how to get himself prepared for cricket. So I think that is drawing a long bow. A lot of people talk about cricket being played between the ears.”So getting some time away from being in your hotel or at training I think is really important. I noticed Mitch Starc played golf with him, so it certainly didn’t impact his performance.”Golf is a huge part of Australia’s team culture, as it is for their opponents England. They play regularly in the lead-up to Test matches at home and abroad. The entire squad had a team-bonding trip to northern Scotland to play a week of golf before the WTC final, which they lost to South Africa.CA’s medical and strength and conditioning staff have long sanctioned it, especially for the fast bowlers, as low impact time on their feet that also provided a mental reprieve from the grind of cricket training and playing.

Top-quality fast bowling always helps when you’re trying to win a series in Australia, and the history of the Ashes bears that out

Greg Chappell04-Oct-2025It was Douglas Jardine who said in , “Cricket is a game of skill, but it is also a game of war. You must find a way to win or you are lost.”As the shadows lengthen over the Australian summer, the 2025-26 Ashes series looms in Perth on 21 November, a mere six weeks away. For England, under the audacious stewardship of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, the mantra is clear: speed thrills.Their squad, boasting a “cartel” of express pacemen led by the enigmatic Jofra Archer and the thunderous Mark Wood, offers echoes of history’s lessons. To understand this bold gambit, we must rewind to the summer of 1932-33, when Jardine faced a Hobson’s Choice – take the only option on offer or face certain defeat. Bodyline, that infamous tactic, was not born of malice but necessity, a desperate counter to Donald Bradman’s otherworldly batting. It reminds us that cricket, for all its genteel veneer, can ignite passions that spill beyond civil norms, turning gentlemen into gladiators and crowds into cauldrons of fury.Related

England's Ashes squad have pace in abundance, but do they have the miles?

Winning Down Under: England's post-war Ashes series victories in Australia

Switch Hit: Ashes optimism department

'Unbelievable' Archer primed for Ashes impact, says McCullum

Australia's pace depth: Who's in the Ashes mix if Cummins and co run aground?

Jardine’s predicament was the stuff of captaincy nightmares. Bradman had just dismantled England in their own backyard during the 1930 Ashes, amassing 974 runs at an average of 139.14 – a record that still beggars belief. His triple-century at Headingley was a symphony of dominance, reducing England’s attack to rubble. Jardine, a steely Oxford-educated amateur with a disdain for defeat, knew that accepting Bradman’s supremacy fatalistically was tantamount to surrender. As England’s captain, his remit was unequivocal: find a way, within the laws, to curb this prolific scoring machine. But what options did he have? Conventional bowling had proved futile; spin was neutralised on Australia’s true pitches; and seamers like Hedley Verity offered control but not terror.Herein lies the essence of Jardine’s Hobson’s Choice – the illusion of alternatives masking a singular path. He turned to “fast leg theory”, a tactic not invented by him but refined to lethal precision. Precedents abounded in the 1920s. Australian fast bowlers like Jack Gregory and Ted McDonald had employed similar short-pitched barrages with packed leg-side fields during the 1920-21 Ashes, unsettling English batters on lively surfaces. Jardine, ever the tactician, drew from this example, consulting Nottinghamshire’s Arthur Carr and Percy Fender, who had trialled it domestically. He came upon the idea observing Bradman flinch against Harold Larwood’s bouncer at The Oval in 1930. “I’ve got it! He’s vulnerable!” Jardine exclaimed. Secret sessions in London honed the plan: short balls at the body, a ring of leg-side fielders to snare deflections. It was legal, innovative, and crucially, the only sensible option against a batter averaging over 100.Critics vilified Jardine as unsportsmanlike, but as a former captain, I see his dilemma plainly. Every leader, amateur or professional, bears the responsibility of solving the game’s riddles. To let Bradman score at will would betray Jardine’s team, his nation, and the competitive spirit of cricket. Bradman averaged 56.57 in the Bodyline series – still formidable, but mortal. The series’ flashpoints, like the Adelaide riot after Bert Oldfield’s skull fracture, evoked raw emotions: Australian crowds baying for blood, diplomatic cables flying between boards, threats of trade boycotts (and this during the Great Depression). Sport, in such moments, transcends civility, tapping into tribal loyalties that can fracture empires. Jardine became the scapegoat, retiring from Tests thereafter, but his choice delivered a 4-1 victory. Without it, England would have been lambs to Bradman’s slaughter.This theme – pace as the great equaliser in Australia – threads through every English Ashes win down under since Bodyline. History is unequivocal: to win in these vast, sun-baked arenas, you need express bowlers who can intimidate, extract bounce, and shatter partnerships on pitches that reward raw speed over subtle swing.Top bowling, old boy: Chris Tremlett is mobbed by his team-mates after England make it 3-1 in Sydney early in 2011•Associated PressConsider the 1954-55 series, which England won 3-1 win under Len Hutton. Frank Tyson, called “Typhoon” for his 95mph thunderbolts, claimed 28 wickets at 20.82, terrorising batters with sheer velocity on firm tracks. Brian Statham’s accurate outswing complemented him, but it was Tyson’s pace that broke Australia’s spirit, reducing legends like Neil Harvey to caution. Emotions ran high; Tyson’s ferocity evoked Bodyline, with crowds murmuring about “intimidation”, but in the end it was the key to victory.Fast-forward to 1970-71, Ray Illingworth’s 2-0 triumph. John Snow, lanky and lethal at 90mph, snared 31 wickets, his bounce and skid exploiting Australian frailties. Bob Willis, on debut, added fire. The series boiled over in the last Test, in Sydney, where a Snow bouncer felled Terry Jenner, sparking a bottle-throwing melee and Illingworth leading his team off the field in protest. Again, pace stirred primal reactions, but it secured the urn.Mike Brearley’s 5-1 rout in 1978-79 leaned on Willis’ speed and bounce (20 wickets) and Ian Botham’s deceptive pace and all-round skill (23 wickets). Willis’ hostility on Perth’s bouncy deck set the tone, evoking crowd hostility that bordered on the uncivil – boos, jeers, even objects hurled. Again, without this pace edge, England’s win would have evaporated.England’s 2-1 upset in the 1986-87 series under Mike Gatting, saw Graham Dilley take 16 wickets with his sharp pace. Botham chipped in again with nine wickets, his medium-fast swing and bounce augmented by Gladstone Small’s (12 wickets) awkward speed. Emotions peaked in Melbourne, where Botham’s heroics fused triumph with controversy, his off-field antics amplifying the drama.Most recently, the 3-1 masterclass under Andrew Strauss in 2010-11 rested on James Anderson’s 24 wickets (late swing at 88-92mph), Chris Tremlett and Steven Finn’s towering bounce (31 wickets between them). Their cartel overwhelmed Australia, with Mitchell Johnson’s waywardness contrasting with England’s precision. The Gabba draw turned on pace pressure, and the series’ intensity – verbal sledging, crowd taunts – underscored how speed ignites passions that push boundaries.In each case England’s victories hinged on one or more express bowlers. Spin played cameos but pace was the protagonist, exploiting Australia’s pace-friendly conditions: Perth’s steepling bounce; Brisbane’s humidity, which aids swing; Melbourne’s variable decks. Without it, touring sides wilt under home dominance – think Australia’s Lillee-Thomson terror in the 1970s or McGrath-Gillespie’s relentlessness in the 2000s.England’s 1932-33 series was indubitably secured by fast bowling•JA Hampton/Getty ImagesNow to the present. McCullum and Stokes have done their homework. They have prioritised the fitness of Archer and Wood, assembling a sextet of quicks – including Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, and Josh Tongue – apart from Stokes himself, to launch an assault. “We need that cartel fit and firing,” McCullum declared, echoing Jardine’s resolve. Archer’s X-factor swing and Wood’s 95mph heat are statements of intent; the two have been managed meticulously after injuries to peak in Perth. With only Shoaib Bashir as spinner, they’ve put nearly all eggs in the speed basket, betting on rotation to sustain pressure across five Tests.Australia lack a Bradman, but curbing Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Cameron Green to mortal outputs will be pivotal. The openers will be important to Australia’s success, but it is the middle order that will need to make big runs if Australia are to win the series. If England’s attack delivers and dismantles Australia’s middle order, McCullum and Stokes will join the list of successful England leaders in Australia.Batting-wise, England appear settled, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett’s aggressiveness as openers, Ollie Pope’s flair, Joe Root’s mastery, Jamie Smith’s precociousness, and Harry Brook’s prodigious talent – the latter averages 57.55 in Tests, a comet streaking across world cricket. Australia’s line-up will look more settled before the first Test on the back of early-season form, but vulnerabilities persist in the wake of David Warner’s retirement.Yet, batters will be critical only insofar as they withstand the barrage. This series, like its forebears, will be decided by the superior bowling side. England’s pace gamble could evoke Bodyline’s emotions – imagine a bouncer from Archer felling a key bat, crowds erupting, words flying. Sport’s power lies here: it distils human drama, where triumph and controversy collide, pushing participants and spectators beyond civil norms into realms of raw passion.Jardine took the only sensible option. History affirms pace’s primacy in Australia, and in 2025-26 too, bowling will crown the victor. As the urn beckons, let the need for speed reignite cricket’s eternal fire.

Thomas Frank’s position as Tottenham Hotspur manager is under scrutiny following the 4-1 North London derby defeat against Arsenal.

Tottenham’s humiliating defeat at the Emirates Stadium was arguably the low point of the Frank era so far, hardly laying a glove on their bitter rivals, with their only goal coming from a piece of Richarlison magic and just 0.07 expected goals (xG) recorded by the visitors.

Spurs have fallen to ninth in the Premier League table, but they are still within touching distance of the Champions League places, despite picking up just one point in their last three games.

It is the manner of the loss that will be particularly concerning, however, with Frank’s side once again looking extremely poor going forward, having also struggled to create any opportunities in the 1-0 home defeat against Chelsea.

As such, the manager is undoubtedly under pressure, and there has now been a new update on his future in north London.

Tottenham players concerned by Frank's tactics and lineups

In a report for The Telegraph, journalist Matt Law has revealed the Tottenham hierarchy are determined to give the Dane time to put things right, despite the disappointing loss against the Gunners, but some players have two very worrying concerns.

Indeed, some members of the squad believe the 52-year-old has been focusing on the opposition too much, instead of concentrating on the strengths of his own players, with sources around Spurs also of the belief he has chopped and changed his forward line too much.

Only Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea have rotated their starting XI more often than the Lilywhites this season, which is named as one of the reasons for the inconsistent results, but Frank seemingly remains safe in his job for the time being.

Games

19

Wins

8

Draws

5

Losses

6

Points per game

1.53

It would be a little early to relieve the manager from his duties, given that Spurs are within touching distance of the play-offs, but the negative approach has to be called into question.

When asked whether he was surprised by Tottenham’s defensive approach, Leandro Trossard said: “Yeah, maybe a bit. Because as I said, it’s still Spurs. But we have been facing a back five a lot of times this season, so we’re kind of used to it.”

It is understandable not to play an extremely high line away against Arsenal, given that they have the joint-best attacking record in the Premier League, but the lack of attacking threat is inexcusable.

It is a short turnaround for Tottenham, who face another tough test away against reigning Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.

Where Thomas Frank ranks among the 20 current Premier League managers Every current manager in the 2025/26 Premier League ranked

Every current Premier League boss ranked from best to worst.

ByCharlie Smith Nov 8, 2025

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.

Chelsea teenager who's "truly ridiculous" looks like a right-footed Palmer

The incredible talent could become Chelsea and Enzo Maresca’s next Cole Palmer.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 13, 2025

Wolves now see Rob Edwards as a leading choice to replace Vitor Pereira as manager, having failed to bring Gary O’Neil back to the club.

Pereira was relieved of his duties over the weekend, following a dreadful start to the season that sees Wanderers sit bottom of the Premier League table, with Jeff Shi confirming the decision.

“Vitor and his team worked tirelessly for Wolves and helped guide us through a challenging period last season, for which we are grateful. Unfortunately, the start to this season has been a disappointment and, despite our strong desire to give the head coach time and matches to find an improvement, we have reached a point where we must make a change. We thank Vitor and his staff for their efforts and wish them the very best for the future.”

O’Neil had emerged as a front-runner to replace Pereira, but the former Wolves manager has now reportedly decided against a return to Molineux, feeling it isn’t the right time.

Meanwhile, former Wanderers striker Robbie Keane is another name who has been thrown into the mix, and now a key update has emerged regarding Middlesbrough manager Edwards taking charge.

Edwards speaks out about taking Wolves job

Speaking to BBC Radio Tees, Edwards didn’t rule out taking over as Wolves manager, but admitted his focus is on his current club at the moment.

“I can understand it with my links to the club but my full focus is on this job here, which is a brilliant job, and trying to turn things around for a really big game against Leicester. It’s hard for me to comment on speculation and anything other than Middlesbrough. We’ve done a decent job so far, and all I care about is trying to win tomorrow.”

Journalist Ben Jacobs has added that Edwards is high on Wolves’ wishlist after O’Neil’s snub and has a release clause in his Boro contract, with the Old Gold looking to ‘try and line up a replacement for Pereira before the Chelsea game’.

Edwards is an impressive young manager who already knows Wolves well, not only spending four years there as a player, but also having a brief spell in interim charge back in 2016.

The 42-year-old famously guided Luton Town into the Premier League from the Championship, which was a special achievement, and he has been hailed by journalist Mark Ogden for his “ultra-positive” approach.

Rob Edwards’ managerial career

Matches

Points per game

Middlesbrough

14

1.79

Luton Town

103

1.18

Watford

11

1.27

Forest Green

53

1.75

England Under-16s

1

0.00

Wolves Under-23s

34

1.76

Telford United

42

1.26

While Edwards will clearly be focusing on guiding Middlesbrough into the top flight, the lure of Wolves could be great for him, both in terms of returning to the club and also getting another Premier League job.

He is still a relatively young manager, so there is some risk in Wanderers appointing him, at a time when a more experienced head who knows how to get out of trouble arguably makes more sense.

Related Better than O'Neil: Wolves looking to hire "insanely talented" English boss

Wolves are reportedly keen on a manager who would be a better option than Gary O’Neil.

Posts ByDan Emery Nov 3, 2025

But if those high up at the club feel that the 3-4-2-1-playing Edwards is the right man to get Wolves out of this current mess, they need to be trusted, with age only a number and the Englishman already impressing so much in his managerial career.

Robbie Keane in talks with Wolves as Steven Gerrard gives clarity on future

Sunderland have recruited well since entering the Premier League picture and could now be set to make an ambitious yet methodical play to land Monaco loanee Ansu Fati.

The Black Cats are enjoying a steady start to the campaign under Regis Le Bris, and they have been the most exciting of the newly promoted sides to enter the top flight, attracting praise for their entertaining style of football.

Nevertheless, the Sunderland boss is simply enjoying the ride, as he told BBC Sport before their 1-1 draw with Everton that the next challenge for his group is to remain consistent in what will be a testing run of upcoming fixtures.

Wilson Isidor has stepped up to fill the Sunderland striking role, and Chelsea star Marc Guiu could rejoin the club in January after a brief stint at the Stadium of Light.

Of course, stocking up on attacking reinforcements to improve squad depth will be critical to ensuring the Black Cats survive. Early-season form is a positive indication, but the management team will keep their feet on the ground while supporters dream.

It goes without saying, Sunderland are at their most exciting point for well over a decade at the least. They are back competing at the top table and look to be thriving under the pressure, increasing their appeal to potential signings.

With that in mind, they could now go all out for an exciting international winger with the flair to add another dimension in the final third.

Sunderland could build their team around Ansu Fati

According to reports in Spain, Sunderland are keen to bring Monaco loanee Ansu Fati to the North East and see him as a figure who ‘can lead a growing project within the Premier League’ if he were to complete a move.

Aston Villa are also keen on his services, though Barcelona and Monaco have an agreement in place whereby the latter can purchase him permanently for £9.6 million next summer.

Ansu Fati’s incredible early-season form

Appearances

10

Goals

6

Assists

0

La Blaugrana can also buy him back after that for around £24.5 million. Should either agreement not come to fruition, then Sunderland would be free to pursue the Spain international.

Fotmob illustrate that he has created seven chances and has directed 6 of his 13 shots on target in Ligue 1 this term, playing into the theory that he has enjoyed a rebirth of form in the principality of Monaco.

Sunderland have a new star who's been their best signing under Le Bris – it's not Xhaka

Of course, their league finish and level of ambition moving forward may factor into matters, though it appears Sunderland could well be a match made in heaven for Fati.