Leeds United will hope they can consolidate themselves as a Premier League club this season, with another promotion hunt on the cards to get up to the top-flight, not the most attractive proposition.

Instead, Daniel Farke’s Whites will pray they can comfortably stay up, despite all the weighty pressure against them, and become a top-flight regular again, much like their heyday in the 90s when Champions League football was even on the menu.

The German is working against his own label as an unproven manager at the very top, too, with a relegation blotting his otherwise sparkling CV in England when at the helm of Norwich City.

Still, the early signs suggest Leeds could be here to stay, with the Whites in a promising 11th spot at the time of writing, after a Sean Longstaff-led effort clinched a 2-2 draw against AFC Bournemouth last time out.

Longstaff's promising start at Leeds

Longstaff nearly held the individual honour of being Leeds’ match-winner against the Cherries, with his fierce effort that cannoned in off the post, gifting his new employers a slim 2-1 lead.

Unfortunately, Bournemouth had other ideas late on when Eli Kroupi scored a last-gasp equaliser, but Andoni Iraola’s men snatching a share of the points shouldn’t detract too much from Longstaff’s sublime showings all season long.

Up against their South Coast visitors, the former Newcastle United man would amazingly notch up seven key passes.

One of those passes saw Joe Rodon head home from an inch-perfect corner kick delivery – while also showing off a fiery side to his game when winning a high ten duels to keep plugging away up against the likes of former Leeds man Tyler Adams, lining up for the away team.

It will just be up to the brand new Leeds number 8 to keep up this sterling, having often fallen victim to recurring injury issues at St James’ Park that saw him fade into the background under Eddie Howe.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

For just £12m, however, Leeds look to have struck gold on an instant bargain. Yet, it could be argued that the Whites gave up an even bigger talent than Longstaff last summer, when parting ways with a midfielder for a mere £3.7m.

Former Leeds star is now better than Longstaff

Leeds have fallen foul of many blunders in recent transfer windows, with their summer activity before their relegation out of the top-flight come the end of the 2022/23 season seeing them purchase many a half-hearted presence.

Faces such as Rasmus Kristensen, Luis Sinisterra, and the aforementioned Adams would all down their tools after their demise to the Championship was confirmed, with Marc Roca also falling into this bracket of failed signings who then shied away from the intense battles to follow in the EFL.

The seven-time Spain international would only go on to make 36 first-team appearances in West Yorkshire before then packing his bags to head to his native country initially on loan, after the Whites crashed out of the promised land.

He did show signs of his top-flight quality for Leeds, even if he did sour his relationship with the club when exiting at the first possible chance after relegation, with one goal and two assists being notched up by the 28-year-old in Premier League action sticking out, alongside winning a high 4.1 duels per game

Games played

26

14

Goals scored

2

2

Assists

2

2

Touches*

56.7

47.2

Accurate passes*

38.1 (85%)

32.9 (88%)

Ball recoveries*

5.7

3.6

Total duels won*

3.7

2.4

Former Leeds favourite Tony Dorigo would even hail Roca as a “wonderful” talent when displaying these bursts of quality, with the Real Betis number 21 further validating that his stint in England was an off-spell by starring in La Liga consistently.

Indeed, when looking at the table in greater detail, it’s clear that Roca is a similar level talent to Longstaff or even greater, with 5.7 ball recoveries on average sticking out during his debut season back on Spanish soil. Longstaff, despite his energetic Yorkshire beginnings, has only averaged 2.7 to date.

He even reminded English crowds of what he is capable of recently when assisting Antony’s leveller in the Europa League against Nottingham Forest.

With the Spaniard also capable of slotting in at left-back or as a centre-back if needed, it could well be now that Leeds look back on the sale of the “outstanding” – as he has been labelled by journalist Jose Rodriguez for his efforts in La Liga – Catalonian as one they regret, especially for such a low amount at £3.7m.

Still, the proof will be in the pudding as to whether Roca is a stronger talent than Longstaff or not come the end of the season, as the Newcastle-born number eight attempts to make his showing against Bournemouth a commonplace expectation.

Leeds have found their new Phillips in "unbelievable" star & it's not Stach

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Going head-to-head with Premier League rivals Chelsea, Newcastle United are now reportedly racing to sign a Champions League captain for Eddie Howe.

Howe calls for "aggression" against Arsenal

Although Newcastle have endured a slow start to their Premier League campaign, Sunday’s meeting with Arsenal represents the perfect opportunity for the Magpies to truly get going. Howe’s side have had the Gunners’ number in the past and there’s no doubt that St James’ Park will be rocking after the manager called for “aggression” from his players.

With Anthony Gordon back in contention, it will be interesting to see whether Nick Woltemade is once again forced to come from the bench or if he’ll get the chance to impress for the first time alongside the former Everton winger.

Speaking about the towering forward, Howe recently told reporters: “We don’t play with a ten, so I see him as a nine. But a nine who plays differently to others we’ve had. You can’t compare Nick to Callum Wilson, two totally different profiles. Both can be effective.

“It’s about utilising strengths and teammates understanding how Nick plays. He showed creative flair and link play against Bradford – really impressed with him.”

Of course, what could help get the best out of Newcastle’s big-money signing is a trip back into the transfer market. And that could see the Magpies swoop in ahead of Chelsea to sign a Champions League captain.

Newcastle join Manuel Locatelli race

As reported by Caught Offside, Newcastle have now joined the race to sign Manuel Locatelli from Juventus alongside Premier League rivals Chelsea. The Italian giants are naturally reluctant to sell their captain, but accept that an offer in the region of €40m (£35m) is likely to leave them with little choice next year.

Newcastle’s starting midfield is one of the strongest that the Premier League has to offer, but the quality beyond that may be a slight concern for those at St James’ Park. The addition of Locatelli would solve that problem.

League stats 24/25

Manuel Locatelli

Bruno Guimaraes

Minutes

2,822

3,271

Progressive Passes

294

271

Progressive Carries

33

64

Ball Recoveries

141

188

Dubbed an “intelligent passer” by analyst Ben Mattinson last year, it’s clear to see how Locatelli would thrive alongside Guimaraes. The two midfield controllers could unlock a new approach entirely for Howe, whose side has struggled to break down low blocks in the current campaign.

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With 294 progressive passes to his name last season, Locatelli would be an excellent addition to Newcastle’s midfield. Whether the Magpies can lure the Juventus captain away from Turin remains to be seen, however.

The Premier League is reportedly set to vote on proposals that could see a “salary cap” of sorts introduced at the top end of English football. An “anchoring” plan has been drawn up, which would limit spending for elite clubs, with shareholders expected to address that issue in November. Several teams, including Manchester rivals United and City, are said to oppose the concept.

• Who is in favour of anchoring and which teams oppose it?

  reports on how arch-rivals from Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium have expressed concerns regarding the introduction of regulations that would restrict Premier League clubs to spending five times what they generate from prize money and broadcast revenue on wages and transfers.

  Said proposals were first revealed in March 2024, with a poll taken at the time. It is claimed 16 voted in favour, with City, United and Aston Villa opposing the plan while Chelsea abstained. Concerns are said to have been raised regarding the negative impact that such rules would have on the Premier League’s ability to retain its status as “the strongest domestic competition in Europe”.

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  Point deductions: Penalties that would be introduced

  Teams on the continent are already governed by UEFA’s “squad cost ratio” rules, which aim to reduce spending to 70 per cent of revenue. The Premier League’s proposal would set that bar at 85 per cent, with the anchoring plan running alongside.

  Clubs in England already operate under Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) which allow clubs to post losses of £105 million ($141m) across a three-year timespan. A meeting in November will reportedly address the issues of “squad cost ratio rules, anchoring and sustainability rules linked to football’s new independent regulator”.

  An insider has told The Times: “If we bring in these anchoring rules, it could dramatically affect the Premier League’s ability to attract the world’s best players. How can that be in the best interest of English football?”

  It is suggested that if the anchoring rules were to be introduced, then some teams would immediately be in breach of them – given estimated spending figures. It is reported that sanctions would include “a minimum six-point deduction plus a point for every £6.5million of overspend”.

• Would anchoring rules make the Premier League less competitive?

  The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) is said to be considering legal action if anchoring is introduced, due to the impact said regulations would have on player wages. The Premier League already finds itself caught up in several legal battles.

  Those voting in favour of the reforms have been warned that they risk seriously undermining the competitiveness of English top-flight football. Another source told The Times: “Many clubs don’t have a particularly strong view on this issue because they don’t think it will affect them given their current spending levels. It feels like we are actually sleepwalking into this.”

  The clubs in question are said to believe that the rules will actually make the Premier League more competitive, as they help to level the playing field somewhat, ensuring that the division remains attractive to broadcasters in multibillion-pound deals.

  Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is among those to disagree, as the Red Devils draw up plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium that will help to push their revenue figures ever higher. He has said: “The last thing you want is for the top clubs in the Premier League not to be able to compete with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, PSG – that’s absurd. And if it does, it then ceases to be the finest league in the world.”

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  PSR punishments and protracted FFP saga

  Everton and Nottingham Forest are among the clubs to have been stung with PSR punishments, having faced point deductions, while Manchester City remain locked in a 115-charge Financial Fair Play case.

  A final ruling in that long-running saga is said to be close, with an independent hearing having concluded late in 2024, but City could drag it out even further if appeals are lodged against any punishments. Various sanctions – ranging from point deductions, transfer embargoes and even expulsion from the top tier of English football – have been mooted over the course of the last two-and-a-half years.

Established by FIFPRO in 2005, the World 11 is the only global football award decided exclusively by professional footballers

The FIFPRO Men's World 11 is voted upon annually by the best players in the modern game. Dating back to 2005, the award celebrates footballing excellence on the global level.

The 2025 awards will mark the 21st edition, and will be announced on Nov. 3. The 11 players who receive the most votes at their position are selected for the FIFPRO World 11. Players from 70 countries have voted for the 2025 Men’s World 11 and Women’s World 11.

Here is a look back at every previous squad, with global superstars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Didier Drogba, Gianluigi Buffon and more all taking centerstage.

FIFPRO2024

Goalkeeper: Ederson (Manchester City)

Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Forwards: Kylian Mbappe (PSG/Real Madrid), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)

AdvertisementFIFPRO World 112023

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)

Defenders: Ruben Dias (Portugal), John Stones (England), Kyle Walker (England)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (England), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), Bernardo Silva (Portugal);

Forwards: Vinicius Jr (Brazil), Kylian Mbappe (France), Erling Haaland (Norway), Lionel Messi (Argentina)

FIFPRO World 112022

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)

Defenders: Joao Cancelo (Portugal), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), Casemiro (Brazil), Luka Modric (Croatia)

Forwards: Kylian Mbappe (France), Erling Haaland (Norway), Karim Benzema (France), Lionel Messi (Argentina)

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FIFPRO World 112021

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)

Defenders: David Alaba (Austria), Leonardo Bonucci (Italy), Ruben Dias (Portugal)

Midfielders: Jorginho (Italy), N’Golo Kante (France), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Erling Haaland (Norway), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Lionel Messi (Argentina)

MatériaMais Notícias

Pela primeira fase da Copa do Brasil Sub-20, o Grêmio foi ao Beira-Rio e eliminou o Internacional, nos pênaltis, após empate por 1 a 1 no tempo normal. Rubens, que entrou no segundo tempo, abriu o placar para o Tricolor enquanto Lucca marcou o tento que levou para a marca da cal.

O clássico contra o arquirrival ocorreu entre os jogos de ida e volta da final do Campeonato Gaúcho Sub-20. Na partida de ida, no Alfredo Jaconi, o Grêmio venceu o Juventude por 5 a 2 e está muito próximo de levantar a taça do estadual da categoria pela primeira vez desde 2014.

>Assista aos jogos do seu clube do coração com aquela gelada! Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00

– Nosso time treinou forte na semana, sabíamos que se fizéssemos o que treinamos, íamos sair com o resultado positivo. Vitória em clássico sempre é importante, ainda mais em partida decisiva e elevou ainda mais a confiança da equipe pro jogo de volta da final – disse o autor do gol gremista.

Na partida contra o Juventude, Rubens também balançou as redes, melhorando ainda mais seus números. São 12 gols e cinco assistências para o ponta em 27 jogos na temporada pelo sub-20, sendo quatro tentos nas últimas cinco partidas.

– Estou vivendo uma grande fase, podendo ajudar meus companheiros com grandes jogos e gols importantes. Mas, o mais importante, sempre, será conseguir a vitória – finalizou.

O segundo e decisivo jogo da final do Campeonato Gaúcho Sub-20 será no próximo domingo (20), às 11h (de Brasília), no CT Hélio Dourado. O Grêmio pode perder por até dois gols de diferença que, ainda assim, levantará a taça.

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Harris stuns with 16-ball fifty as Bears triumph, despite Suzie Bates’ best allround efforts

ECB Reporters Network31-May-2025Bears 193 for 6 (Perrin 87, Harris 55, Bates 2-23) beat Durham 151 (Bates 65, Davis 3-27) by 42 runsLaura Harris introduced herself to Edgbaston with an explosive 16-ball half-century as Warwickshire beat Durham by 42 runs in the women’s Vitality Blast at Edgbaston.Australian new signing Harris smashed 55 from 21 balls to support Davina Perrin’s classy 87 from 61 as the home side piled up 193 for 6.Durham replied with 151 all out in 19 overs, their Blast campaign destined to start with defeat after their reply rapidly declined to 15 for 3. Suzie Bates (65) and Bess Heath (45) assured respectability for their side but Georgia Davis took 3 for 27 to seal Warwickshire’s first win of the tournament following their opening-game tie with The Blaze at Trent Bridge.After choosing to bat, Warwickshire were given an excellent platform by Perrin and Abi Freeborn. Restricted to just a single from the first over from Lauren Filer, they worked the ball around intelligently to add 70 from 57 balls.Freeborn departed after Filer turned in her follow-through and threw down the stumps as the batter sought a single. It was excellent work from the bowler but she soon wished she hadn’t bothered. Nineteen minutes later the new batter had 50.Harris got off the mark with a straight six off Katie Levick, followed that with successive fours and then swung a Filer full toss over the long leg rope to thunder to 25 from eight balls. Her third six, smote straight off Levick, raised her half-century from 16.Even after Harris was slickly stumped by Heath off Bates, there was little respite for Durham as Perrin took three fours and a six off a Mady Villiers over. A deserved century beckoned for Perrin but she spent much of the closing overs at the non-striker’s end before, having hit 12 fours and two sixes, she fell to a stinging return catch by Bates in the final over.Durham’s reply started badly when Katherine Fraser edged the third ball, from Issy Wong, to wicketkeeper Freeborn. Wong struck again with her seventh ball when Hollie Armitage missed an attempted scoop off middle stump and was lbw. It was 15 for 3 after Mady Villiers drove Charis Pavely straight to extra cover.There was no way back from there. Bates and Heath added 80 from 64 balls but the required rate hit 11 runs per over and Warwickshire captain Davis exploited the pressure with two wickets in four balls. Heath and Mia Rogers were bowled and stumped respectively after missing slogs.Bates accelerated boldly but when she missed a scoop and was lbw to Hannah Baker, the tail was left to find 51 from the last three overs. It couldn’t.

سلطت تقارير صحفية الضوء على الإصابة القوية التي تعرض لها بيدري، نجم خط وسط الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة بعد مباراة الكلاسيكو أمام ريال مدريد.

ويعاني برشلونة الفترة الماضية من إصابات عديدة أثرت على ظهوره في المباريات الأخيرة، ولا سيما اللقاء الأخير أمام ريال مدريد في كلاسيكو الدوري الإسباني.

وخسر برشلونة بثنائية مقابل هدف في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا”.

وكان برشلونة قد أعلن صباح أمس، الأربعاء، إصابة بيدري بتمزق في العضلة ذات الرأسين الفخذية الطرفية في فخذه الأيسر، وكشفت صحيفة “آس” أن مدة غيابه ستصل إلى شهر ونصف.

اقرأ أيضًا | مدة غياب بيدري عن مباريات برشلونة بعد إصابته بـ”تمزق خطير”

وفقًا لصحيفة “سبورت”، فإن الإصابات الخفيفة في أوتار الركبة تُشفى في غضون ثلاثة أسابيع، بينما تستغرق الإصابات المتوسطة حوالي 6 أسابيع وبعضها يتطلب تدخل جراحي، حسب ما قاله أحد الأطباء المتخصصين.

وأكمل الطبيب: “طوال الموسم، هناك تقلبات في اللياقة البدنية، يتم خوض المزيد والمزيد من المباريات، وتزداد وتيرة اللعب، وتحدث إصابات العضلات بسبب هذا الحمل الزائد والجهد المُفرط”.

وأتم أن على بيدري وإدارة برشلونة الصبر حتى لا يحدث أي انتكاسة مرة أخرى وتتكرر الإصابة لأنه حتى مع استخدام أجهزة متطورة لقراءة حالة اللاعب البدنية وGPS، قد تحدث بعض الإصابات أو الانتكاسات بطرق غير متوقعة.

Everton were pegged back by Jarrod Bowen’s second-half goal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, leaving David Moyes’ side three games without a win, but there was much to like about this Monday night effort in the Premier League.

However, there’s a sense that the Toffees might be somewhat one-dimensional in their approach play right now, funnelling the ball out to Jack Grealish, who wasn’t at his best against the Hammers but remained the brightest spark.

Problems persist regarding number nine. Beto toiled once again, missing a good opportunity to score in the first half, and Thierno Barry lacked composure and positional intelligence across his second-half cameo.

However, there were bright sparks for Moyes and his team as they drew this match against West Ham United.

Everton's best performers vs West Ham

James Tarkowski hasn’t quite looked himself so far this season, and all of an Everton persuasion will be eager to see Jarrad Branthwaite complete his long-awaited return from injury and settle back into the backline.

However, the decision to extend Michael Keane’s contract before the summer was rubber-stamped after his thumping header after 18 minutes, rising and directing into the net with such emphatic power.

Grealish we have mentioned, but his alternative wideman, Iliman Ndiaye, was also bright, winning four duels and creating two chances, as per Sofascore. However, the Senegalese’s sharpness when it matters could do with some work.

Off the bench, Tyler Dibling also looked bright. The teenager stepped in for Ndiaye and put in a promising late-stage display, leading The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland to comment that he “would like to see much more” of the fleet-footed talent.

However, there’s another man who often goes under the radar who deserves a bit of credit. Indeed, James Garner put in an impressive, workmanlike performance in the middle of the park, showcasing his technical skill besides with the delivery for Keane’s thumping header.

Might Moyes have unearthed the next Leighton Baines?

Everton's new Leighton Baines

Garner has been at Everton for a while now, joining from Manchester United for £15m in 2022. He has played 92 times for the Merseysiders and has made a positive impression since Moyes replaced Sean Dyche at the start of the year.

As Sofascore reveal, Garner took 82 touches, more than any other player on the field, completed 88% of his passes, won three of four ground duels and found the target with four long balls across the evening. The Liverpool Echo handed him a 7/10 match rating for his labours.

Given that he has already played three times as a stand-in left-back this season, the 24-year-old could grow into Moyes’ next Baines, should he continue to go from strength to strength.

Now Everton’s assistant manager, Baines was one of the most talented left-backs in the Premier League during his long stint at Goodison Park, hailed by Kevin Phillips for having “a wand of a left foot”.

Baines made creativity an art form for defenders before it was cool. He boasted such accuracy on the ball and was intelligent with his passes. Furthermore, Baines was very much a set-piece specialist.

While Garner isn’t a defender, his versatility lends itself to the berth, and there’s no denying he has an eye for a pass that doesn’t differ all that much from Baines’ back in his heyday.

Moreover, he has a power in his ball-striking which nearly came up trumps. His ferocious strike late on bore testament to that.

It’s worth pointing out that Garner’s contract expires next summer, and with work still needed across a range of positions, it feels vital that the industrious Englishman’s terms are renewed.

Moyes has previously acknowledged the scale of Everton’s rebuild and that it would take more than just the one transfer window to bring it all together.

Recent results have underscored that, for sure, but with players like Garner doing the hard yards, Moyes will be sure to retain the essence of his long-standing philosophy while imbuing his team with new modern touches. Garner embodies both.

He's now world-class: Everton sold bigger talent than Ndiaye for just £22m

Everton messed up getting rid of this former star who is now worth £30m more.

By
Kelan Sarson

Sep 28, 2025

It’s been a brilliant few days for Arsenal.

On Saturday, they got to sit back and watch Chelsea, Manchester United, and, most crucially, Liverpool lose, while they went on to claim all three points in dramatic fashion away to Newcastle United.

However, there is no time to get distracted, as Mikel Arteta and Co have another game to prepare for against Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

With games coming thick and fast, the manager should be looking to make a host of changes to the starting lineup, including dropping one promising player for a world-beater.

The changes Arteta needs to make to the Arsenal lineup

It was a gruelling game at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon, and with another potentially testing match against an improving West Ham United this weekend, Arteta should consider making some changes to the starting lineup to face Olympiacos.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The first of those changes should come between the sticks, with Kepa Arrizabalaga coming in for David Raya, and while the former Chelsea keeper didn’t play in the last UCL game, this one should be a slightly easier affair and a real chance to rest the Gunners’ number one.

At right-back, Ben White deserves a chance to start another game in place of Jurrien White, who was unreal against the Toon. On the other flank, it should be a second start of the season for young Myles Lewis-Skelly, who added some real dynamism when he came off the bench on Sunday.

In the middle of the park, it might be worth keeping Martin Zubimendi at the base of midfield, especially as this game could provide an opportunity for the manager to start Martin Odegaard alongside Eberechi Eze.

The latter is still getting to grips with how the team plays, so keeping him in the lineup makes sense to help him with that, and then when it comes to the latter, he needs to get back his match sharpness as quickly as possible if he’s going to play a significant role over the coming months.

Moreover, playing both of them in midfield should give the side a far more cutting edge and help deal with a stubborn low block, if that’s how the Greek side opts to play.

Finally, up-top Arteta should keep Viktor Gyokeres in the side as he was looking better on Sunday, and the more chances he gets to bolster his goal tally, the more confident and therefore effective he should become.

Gabriel Martinelli should come in off the Swede’s left, and then on the right, Ethan Nwaneri should be handed another start, as Bukayo Saka no longer needs to be run into the ground anymore, especially when the teenager is more than good enough to cover for him.

With all that said, there is one more area of the lineup that needs to be addressed – an area where Arteta should make another bold call.

Arteta should axe one of Arsenal's most exciting players

So, one of the players who should retain their position at centre-back for the game is Gabriel Magalhães, as he will not want to sit out after scoring that goal against Newcastle.

However, alongside him, Arteta should bring William Saliba back into the side.

Yes, that means dropping the incredible Cristhian Mosquera, who has looked so good already this season that one content creator has already branded him the club’s “signing of the summer.”

However, there is really one key reason why he should be dropped, and no, it’s not because he made the mistake that led to the goal on the weekend.

Instead, it’s the fact that he is still relatively young for a defender – 21 years old – and inexperienced at this level, so it might be wise to take him out of the lineup for a game or two and ensure he’s not overplayed.

However, when it really comes down to it, the reason the former Valencia gem should be dropped is so that Saliba can come back into the team.

The “world-class” titan, as dubbed by Fabrizio Romano, came on at half-time at St James’ Park due to minor fitness issues, and that is one of the reasons he should be in from the start against Olympiacos, so he can build up his fitness and match sharpness ahead of the weekend.

Appearances

140

Starts

137

Minutes

12193′

Goals

7

Assists

3

Points per Game

2.06

Moreover, if the manager opts to play several of his young stars, such as Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, and possibly even Max Dowman, it would make sense to ensure the centre-back pairing is as strong as it can possibly be.

Ultimately, while Mosquera is an incredible talent, Saliba should be in from the start to regain his fitness and provide balance for what could be a relatively inexperienced team.

Not Mosquera: Arsenal have signed a Gabriel & Saliba hybrid in £45m "beast"

The international star could be a game-changer for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta this season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 30, 2025

Liverpool meet Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. It’s a fixture typically freighted with emotion, one of the biggest and fiercest rivalries the Premier League has ever hosted.

But for the Anfield side, they know they need a big performance regardless, having fallen to three successive defeats before the October international break. These are uncharted waters for Arne Slot, both during his Liverpool tenure and previously in his Dutch homeland with Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar.

Despite slipping in the final stages of successive matches against Crystal Palace and Chelsea, Liverpool have fallen just one point behind league leaders Arsenal, and now they are back at Anfield.

The Red Devils have come away from Anfield with the spoils shared across both of the past two top-flight terms, but their own struggle for form under Ruben Amorim’s wing this season suggests that this is a fantastic chance for the defending champions to remind the Premier League what they are made of.

Who Slot should start up front vs Man Utd

Alexander Isak might have been called “the best striker in the Premier League” by pundit Jamie Carragher last season, but the debacle that was his summer transfer saga has disrupted his start to the season.

And Hugo Ekitike has only been too happy to take advantage and kickstart his own career in Liverpool. Having joined from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69m fee in July, the Frenchman has scored five goals and assisted one more across ten matches so far this season, starting eight of those games.

Newly blooded in Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus set-up, Ekitike boasts a rare attacking profile, deadly in the final third but also mobile and intelligent and electric on the ball.

The Frenchman’s red card for taking his shirt off in celebration, already on a yellow, having scored the winner in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup tie against Southampton, likely knocked him down a peg in Slot’s estimation, and he only made a cameo during the defeat at Stamford Bridge, having previously been suspended for the loss at Crystal Palace.

Will Isak reprise the starting berth he held against Chelsea? It was a tough evening for the visitors, but the Sweden international showed off his quality to claim the assist for Cody Gakpo’s second-half equaliser.

With the cogs not exactly whirring across Liverpool’s frontline right now, it feels like the chance to rise in stature is there for the taking.

Indeed, Slot does have the option to go down a different track, should he choose. Without a doubt, Isak and Ekitike are Liverpool’s most talented and effective centre-forwards, but there’s another who should play a part against Chelsea and even overshadow Ekitike.

Liverpool play Man United this weekend, and this particular Redman could call upon the spirit of former star Xherdan Shaqiri at Anfield.

Liverpool's new version of Shaqiri

Whether Slot decides to deploy him from the opening whistle or as part of a second-half wave that, on the basis of evidence, may be needed, there’s no question that Federico Chiesa will be primed to play his part against Liverpool’s most notorious rivals.

The 27-year-old has been one of the sharper forwards in the Anfield squad so far this season, bouncing back from a testing maiden year in England, struck by injuries and overlooked by Slot after arriving from Juventus for a cut-price £12.5m fee.

But he’s so far been among the most clinical players at Slot’s disposal this season, bagging the winner on the opener against Bournemouth, netting again at Selhurst Park and setting up both Isak and Ekitike’s strikes during the win over Saints.

Hugo Ekitike

10

5 (1)

Mohamed Salah

10

3 (3)

Federico Chiesa

6

2 (2)

Cody Gakpo

10

2 (2)

Alexander Isak

6

1 (1)

Rio Ngumoha

5

1 (0)

Hailed as a “wizard” of a footballer by broadcaster Roger Bennett for his efforts with Juventus, Chiesa has that special ability to make things happen when his team needs him most.

And in this way, he could be the next version of Shaqiri on this important weekend. The Swiss international, now 33 years old, only played 63 matches across three campaigns for the Merseysiders, but he certainly left his mark, instrumental in beating Barcelona on that most historic of nights in the Champions League and popping up with some big moments in the Premier League too.

It was super-sub Shaqiri who came off the bench to score twice and help Liverpool along to a 3-1 win over Manchester United in December 2018, as Jurgen Klopp went neck-and-neck with Pep Guardiola at the height of his City dynasty.

Liverpool ultimately fell short that year, but triumph on the continent certainly helped cushion the blow. And anyway, Liverpool would triumph in the Premier League one year later, with Shaqiri in amongst the celebrations.

Like Shaqiri, Chiesa is an injury-prone forward, but he has immense quality and is now showing an ability to retain his quality in the English game.

Might he steal Ekitike’s thunder against the Red Devils? The Italy international will surely be hoping to grace the field after Slot kept him on the bench against Chelsea. After all, he has, on a number of occasions already this term, looked to be Liverpool’s focal threat.

Last season, opportunities were few and far between for Chiesa at Liverpool. However, he has proved himself as a testament to tenacity and unwavering self-belief. Now, the Italian is a secret weapon for Slot’s side.

In the past, Shaqiri came up trumps for Klopp when facing Man United. Now, Chiesa could repeat that trick.

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