Michael Carrick has a new job as rumours of a potential Manchester United return do the rounds. Carrick has been linked with a move back to Old Trafford for a second interim spell as United weigh up whether to sack Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese boss is under mounting pressure to turn the club's fortunes around with United currently mired in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
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Carrick is back in work
Carrick is back in work for the first time since leaving his role as Middlesbrough head coach back in June. The former Manchester United boss was relieved of his duties at the Riverside earlier this year as Boro could only manage a 10th-placed finish.
And Carrick is now back in work following his exit four months ago, though not in the way fans may think. The 44-year-old is presently a UEFA Technical Observer and recently offered his opinion on PSG's 2-1 win at Barcelona.
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Carrick lends his thoughts to PSG's win at Barcelona
On PSG's win at Barcelona, Carrick said on the official UEFA website: "It sounds very basic but the key to the game is one-twos, third-man runs and forward runs behind.
"There was so much focus on pressing forward and relying on regaining it in that direction. But as we saw, the downside of this is there is a lot of space behind and across the back line.
"It's great if you win the ball back or if the other team keep passing to feet and trying to keep possession but it leaves you exposed against a team that is happy to run and pass less. It's runs in behind that were rewarded."
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Old Trafford return on the cards?
However, Carrick's time as a UEFA Technical Observer could be short-lived if reports of an Old Trafford return are to be believed. Ruben Amorim is under mounting pressure to turn Manchester United's fortunes around, with the Premier League side struggling under stewardship of the former Sporting CP boss.
Amorim could only watch on as his side fell to a 3-1 loss at Brentford last weekend, and a failure to beat high-flying Sunderland at home on Saturday will heighten calls for the club to axe the 40-year-old.
After the game, the Portuguese said: "I think we played the game they wanted us to play, the opponents – really confused: first balls, second balls. If we play the game of the opponent, it’s harder for us. We never settled the game down. We suffered two goals where we knew they are really strong on that, with the long balls. Then we tried to get back in the game. We miss a penalty, and all these moments are a little bit against us. That could change the game, but in the end, we need to – and we should do – better."
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Second United interim stint on the cards for Carrick?
While Oliver Glasner is the favourite to succeed Amorim at Old Trafford, there are suggestions that Carrick could return to United to take on an interim role in the club's dugout. Carrick was briefly in charge of United following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure in November 2021 but he stepped down at the start of December that year when Ralf Rangnick assumed control.
During his short stint at the helm, Carrick oversaw a 2-0 Champions League win over Villarreal, a 1-1 draw at Chelsea and a 3-2 win over rivals Arsenal, which proved his final game as interim boss.
Liverpool starlet Rio Ngumoha has received a new contract that has quadrupled his wages after his breakthrough under Arne Slot, a new report claims. The forward, who scored a vital winner against Newcastle earlier this season, has seen a massive increase on his initial wages of £14,400-per-year.
Ngumoha's rise
Ngumoha has enjoyed an incredible rise in profile in the Liverpool ranks this season, as he has become more and more involved with Slot's first-team. He has made four appearances in all competitions, famously scoring a late, late winner against Newcastle in the league. And The Sun now reports that when that goal went in, the teenager was still earning just 14,400-per-year, as the club have a wage limit for young players. But upon turning 17, his salary has increased immensely.
AdvertisementHis new wage
The winger celebrated his birthday on August 29, and the Reds have almost immediately handed him fresh terms – confirming as much earlier this week – worth 52,000-per-year. That is a four-fold increase on what Ngumoha was earning previously, and goes some way to showing just how much faith the club have in the youngster. He already has 12 caps for England's Under-17s too, as he bids to make an impact on both the domestic and international game in the future.
What's been said about Ngumoha
Slot was full of praise for his newest star after his goal against Newcastle, telling reporters: “He’s a player that can finish really well for his age. How firm his shot was, you don’t see this often for a 16-year-old. I did hear someone afterwards in the dressing room, I won’t say who, said they would have taken that ball, have a first touch, then finish it off. But he is so confident. That’s what I like, because the first ball he got he wasn’t afraid. He immediately took someone on. When the second player came, he got across him, and for him to score that goal is not completely a coincidence because for his age he is an amazing finisher.”
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Getty Images SportNgumoha makes history
The winger's goal against the Magpies made him the Reds' youngest-ever scorer in a Premier League game, scoring at the age of 16 years and 361 days, and he expressed his amazement at writing himself into Merseyside folklore.
He said: “I’m buzzing! I’m so happy to score, especially the winner. A good moment, a special feeling, I’m definitely happy.
“You just have to come on and make an impact and thank God that I did that. It was just a proud moment.”
He added: “Normally, last season especially, the Academy coaches and even the first-team coaches are always saying, ‘Make the back post, make the back post.’
“The fact that I made the back post is just crazy… when I saw it with Mo [Salah] and then Dom [Szoboszlai] putting it through his legs, I was like one-v-one and I just smashed it. The fans, I heard them screaming my name and that’s a sensational moment I would say.
“But you can’t get too carried away with all the noise, like I said, because at the end of the day I probably do that finish 100 times on the training ground so it’s no different with the fans [here]. But obviously the fans backing you there, it’s just crazy.
“I’m 16 but I don’t want my age to show that I can’t play with the older players. I want to prove a point that I can play with not just people my age but many ages above.
“But like I said, there are people at the club who are always helping me and I’m always learning and improving, so I can’t complain.”
Leeds United were given a reality check on Saturday when they were hammered 5-0 by Arsenal at The Emirates in their first away game of the Premier League season.
The Whites beat Everton 1-0 at Elland Road on the opening day of the season, lifting the mood instantly, but were brought crashing back down to earth against the Gunners.
During the Sky Sports commentary of the clash with Arsenal, Gary Neville noted that the starting front three for Leeds needed everything to be “perfect” for them to make an impact, due to their lack of physicality.
That front three included Dan James, Joel Piroe, and Wilfried Gnonto, who were all key players in the Championship title-winning campaign last term. The Premier League is a different beast to the Championship, as Neville explained, and Daniel Farke needs more physicality in his frontline.
Leeds will be well aware that they will not be able to be in control in matches as much as they were in the second tier, which means that they will have to do a lot more scrapping and fighting to earn points at this level.
That is why the 2024/25 Championship top goalscorer, Piroe, may eventually find himself watching on from the sidelines more often than not.
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To his credit, Farke has tried to remain fairly faithful to the players who got the club to the Premier League in the first two matches, starting the Dutch striker in both games ahead of Lukas Nmecha.
Unfortunately, however, Piroe’s lack of physicality has already been very apparent. The striker has lost ten of his 11 duels in the top-flight so far, per Sofascore, which shows that oppostion centre-backs have found it far too easy to get the better of him in physical battles.
This is not a new concern over the former Swansea City marksman, though, as the left-footed centre-forward struggled with the physicality of the Championship at times in the 2024/25 campaign as well.
24/25 Championship
Joel Piroe per 90
Percentile rank vs STs
Dribble success rate
31.8%
Bottom 27%
Successful dribbles
0.41
Bottom 35%
Fouls won
0.44
Bottom 9%
Duels won
2.24
Bottom 3%
Duel success rate
26.9%
Bottom 10%
Aerial duels won
0.90
Bottom 12%
Aerial duel success rate
21.4%
Bottom 17%
Stats via FotMob
As you can see in the table above, Piroe ranked very poorly among his positional peers in a host of physically-based metrics, which is why his start to the Premier League season has not been a surprise.
Leeds were a dominant team that did not need to scrap for second balls and constantly engage in duels in the Championship, which allowed the striker to simply focus on tucking away chances, which he did very well.
Piroe scored 19 goals for Leeds last season, per Sofascore, but his lack of physicality may prevent him from making a similar impact in the Premier League.
Leeds make contact to sign LaLiga star
That is why a fresh report linking the Championship champions with interest in a physical forward should come as very bad news to the current Whites striker.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to AS, as relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs to have made an approach to Getafe over a potential deal to sign Christantus Uche this summer.
The report claims that the Whites have made contact with the Spanish side to register their interest in the versatile attacker, but they have not formalised their interest with an offer as of yet.
It adds that Sunderland, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Burnley have also made contact with Getafe in pursuit of a possible deal for the Nigeria international.
AS also reveals that Getafe are preparing to cash in on Uche to improve the club’s finances and have currently set an asking price of around £17m, but it remains to be seen whether or not any of the four mentioned clubs are prepared to pay that much for him.
Why this is bad news for Joel Piroe
As aforementioned, Piroe’s lack of physicality appears to be an issue for him, and the team, in the Premier League, and it could cost him his place in the starting XI.
The club’s reported interest in signing Uche is, perhaps, a sign that Farke recognises the need for more physicality at the top end of the pitch, because the Getafe star is an incredibly physical attacker.
In fact, the Nigerian star has played 31 times as a central or defensive midfielder in his career, per Transfermarkt, and U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed that he could be developed into a “midfield monster”.
Whilst, due to his experience and potential to play in that role, Farke could utilise Uche in the middle of the park, the 22-year-old played as a striker for Jose Bordalas against Celta Vigo on the opening day of the LaLiga season.
Uche scored and grabbed an assist in a 2-0 win for Getafe away at Celta Vigo, and the clip above shows how the attacker used his mobility and strength to find the back of the net.
Uche (LaLiga)
24/25
25/26
Appearances
33
1
xG
3.73
1.01
Goals
4
1
Big chances created
7
1
Assists
6
1
Duels won per game
6.8
9.0
Aerial duel success rate
42%
75%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the £17m-rated forward also showcased his physicality in LaLiga last season, winning 6.8 duels per game on average, compared to Piroe’s 2.24 in the Championship.
Whilst, perhaps because of his outings in midfield as well as up front, Uche is not a prolific goalscorer who is likely to go and score 15 or 20 goals in the Premier League, the Getafe star could be the physical outlet that Leeds are currently lacking.
Leeds United manager DanielFarkecelebrates after the match
Having a ‘monster’ like Uche to hold the ball up, win flick-ons, and compete with Premier League centre-backs in duels could help the Whites in tight games where they will not be in complete control of the ball.
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Not just Gruev: Farke must drop 4/10 Leeds star who lost 100% duels
Daniel Farke should ruthlessly drop this Leeds flop as well as Ilia Gruev for the next Premier League game.
ByDan Emery Aug 24, 2025
This is why the club’s interest in the forward is bad news for Piroe, because the 22-year-old star is the profile of player who could send the Dutchman down to the bench.
O Fortaleza quase venceu o Corinthians como visitante pela primeira vez, mas Yuri Alberto salvou o Alvinegro da terceira derrota consecutiva, quebrou o jejum de nove jogos sem marcar e sacramentou o empate por 1 a 1 entre as equipes, em duelo válido pela 4ª rodada do Brasileirão, na Neo Química Arena.
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+ ATUAÇÕES: Yuri Alberto entra no segundo tempo e impede derrota do Corinthians para o Fortaleza
Com o empate, o Timão chega aos quatro pontos, deixa a zona de rebaixamento e ultrapassa Flamengo e Atlético-MG, alcançando a 15ª posição na tabela. Já o Leão do Pici permanece dentro do G4, em 4° lugar, com oito pontos.
A equipe de Vanderlei Luxemburgo volta a campo na quinta-feira (11), às 19h30, contra o líder Botafogo, no Nilton Santos. No mesmo dia, às 20h, os comandados de Vojvoda recebem o São Paulo.
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TIMÃO PARA NA TRAVE NO PRIMEIRO TEMPO
Vanderlei Luxemburgo armou o Corinthians no 4-3-3, com Róger Guedes centralizado e Pedro e Adson pelas pontas. A equipe da casa iniciou a partida com marcação em bloco médio, sem pressionar a saída do Fortaleza. A equipe visitante controlava a posse de bola, mas encontrava dificuldades para furar a defesa corintiana.
As melhores chances no primeiro tempo foram do Timão. Roni e Fausto Vera assustaram Fernando Miguel com chutes de fora da área, mas a melhor oportunidade veio dos pés de Fagner. Nos acréscimos da etapa final, o lateral-direito recebeu de Fausto Vera e chutou forte no gol, e a bola carimbou a trave do Leão do Pici.
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GUEDES PERDE GOL INCRÍVEL
O Corinthians voltou com uma mudança após o intervalo: Guilherme Biro na vaga de Pedro. Em apenas quatro minutos, o garoto entortou Tinga e achou Róger Guedes na entrada da área. Livre, o camisa 10 chutou fraco, nas mãos de Fernando Miguel.
VAR EM AÇÃO
O Fortaleza não se intimidou, cresceu no segundo tempo com as alterações de Vojvoda e chegou a abrir o placar aos 24 minutos do segundo tempo. Caio Alexandre tabelou com Yago Pikachu e recebeu dentro da área. Ele cruzou rasteiro e Silvio Romero, com o gol escancarado, empurrou para as redes. Porém, o VAR checou e flagrou impedimento do centroavante no lance.
DE TANTO MARTELAR, FORTALEZA ABRE O PLACAR
O Leão do Pici aproveitou as fragilidades defensivas do Timão no segundo tempo, aumentou a pressão na equipe de Luxemburgo e abriu o placar aos 33 minutos do segundo tempo. Romarinho tabelou com Pacheco, que achou Silvio Romero na entrada da área. Ele toca de calcanhar para Caio Alexandre, que bateu de primeira, da entrada da área. A bola foi no cantinho e Cássio não conseguiu evitar o gol.
ACABOU O JEJUM DE YURI ALBERTO
A queda física abalou o plano tático de Vanderlei Luxemburgo, mas na raça o Corinthians conseguiu o empate, aos 43 minutos. O camisa 9 recebeu pelo centro e tocou para Róger Guedes. O camisa 10 cruzou na área, o goleiro Fernando Miguel trombou com Bruno Pacheco e a bola sobrou para Yuri Alberto, que mandou para as redes. Yuri Alberto vivia não marcava há nove jogos, seu maior jejum no Timão.
Nos acréscimos, Róger Guedes teve a chance da virada em chute colocado, mas Fernando Miguel conseguiu agarrar a bola.
+ Veja tabela e a situação do Timão no Brasileirão
CORINTHIANS 1 x 1 FORTALEZA – BRASILEIRÃO – 4ª RODADA
Local:Neo Química Arena, em São Paulo (SP)
Data e hora:08/05/2023, às 20h (de Brasília)
Árbitro:Ramon Abatti Abel-SC (FIFA)
Assistentes:Guilherme Dias Camilo-MG (FIFA) e Rafael da Silva Alves-RS (FIFA)
VAR:Rafael Traci-SC
Público/renda: 36.512 / R$2.128.014,50
Cartões amarelos: Fausto Vera e Murillo (COR) / Bruno Pacheco (FOR)
Cartões vermelhos: –
Gols: Caio Alexandre (33’/2ºT) (0-1) e Yuri Alberto (43’/2ºT) (1-1)
CORINTHIANS- Cássio; Fagner, Gil Murillo e Fábio Santos (Bidu, 19/2ºT); Roni, Fausto Vera (Romero, 36/2ºT), Adson (Romero, 24/2ºT), Matheus Araújo (Yuri Alberto, 19/2ºT) e Pedro (Biro, após o intervalo); Róger Guedes.Técnico:Vanderlei Luxemburgo
FORTALEZA- Fernando Miguel, Tinga, Brítez, Titi e Bruno Pacheco; Lucas Sasha (Vinícius Zanocelo, 17/2ºT), Hércules (Yago Pikachu, 17/2ºT), Caio Alexandre, Calebe (Pochettino, 38/2ºT)e Moisés (Romarinho, 37/1ºT); Thiago Galhardo (Silvio Romero, após o intervalo). Técnico: Juan Pablo Vojvoda
Arsenal intend to remain active in the summer transfer window, even after their statement signing of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.
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ByMatt Dawson Jul 27, 2025
After a near-two-month-long saga, sporting director Andrea Berta and manager Mikel Arteta welcomed the prolific centre-forward, with Arsenal finally agreeing an initial £55m deal which could be worth up to £64 million if add-ons are met.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)
Money on new signings
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
25/26 – summer
£208m
Gyokeres was unveiled as a new Gunners player to a delighted Singapore crowd just before Arsenal’s 3-2 friendly win over Newcastle, and there is a possibility of him debuting against Tottenham on Thursday.
“We are so pleased with the excellent deal we have completed to bring Viktor Gyökeres to the club,” said Berta in an official statement.
“Viktor is an exceptional talent and has consistently demonstrated he has the qualities and winning mentality required of a top-level centre-forward. His physicality, intelligence and work ethic make him a perfect fit for our vision.
“We are confident Viktor will have a major impact on the pitch and become an important figure in our dressing room. Welcome, Viktor!”
Gyokeres’ arrival perhaps comes as Arsenal’s most significant bit of transfer business in the last few years, with a proven goalscorer long viewed as the missing piece of Arteta’s potential title-winning jigsaw.
The 27-year-old scored an incredible 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting, and their president Frederico Varandas seriously dug his heels in over letting Gyokeres leave the Portuguese champions.
Gyokeres’ agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, was even forced to waive his commission fee to help facilitate the transfer, and following weeks of talks, Arsenal at long last reached a full agreement last week (Fabrizio Romano).
After Gyokeres, Arsenal are believed to be targeting a number 10 to complement club captain Martin Odegaard, with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze firmly on Berta’s radar as a key option.
Arsenal offered Arda Güler and Raul Asencio in Real Madrid part-exchange deal
Now, according to reports from Spain, Arteta and co have been offered a different playmaker in Turkey international Arda Güler.
Indeed, it is now believed Real Madrid are proposing Guler and defender Raul Asencio, plus £78 million, in exchange for star Arsenal centre-back William Saliba.
In what is an audacious claim from Europe, Berta is said to be “seriously considering” this part-exchange bid from Real, even if Arsenal and Saliba are currently locked in talks over a contract extension.
Guler has struggled for consistent game time at the Bernabeu overall, but did manage six goals and 11 assists by the end of 2024/2025 whilst playing every game of Real’s Club World Cup campaign under Xabi Alonso.
However, while Guler has displayed flashes of real brilliance since bursting on to the scene at Fenerbahçe, even being dubbed the ‘Turkish Messi’, losing Saliba would be far too big of a price to pay, even if Asencio would also immediately come in his stead.
كشفت تقارير صحفية آخر تطورات التوتر الذي نشب بين ثنائي الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة خلال الفترة الماضية وما الإجراء الذي اتخذه هانز فليك مدرب الفريق.
برشلونة بدأ الموسم بفوزين أمام ريال مايوركا وليفانتي وتعادل مع رايو فاليكانو في أول 3 جولات ببطولة الدوري الإسباني.
وانتشرت تكهنات في الفترة الأخيرة حول فتور العلاقة بين فيرمين لوبيز وجافي بسبب صديقة الأول، وزعمت تقارير أن الوضع وصل إلى حد المقاطعة بينهما.
جافي وفيرمين لوبيز تدرجا في ريال بيتيس قبل الانضمام إلى برشلونة والانتقال إلى لاماسيا، وكانت علاقتهما قوية للغاية.
إلا أن حادثتين وقعتا في أغسطس الماضي كانتا السبب في حدوث الكثير من القلق في غرف خلع الملابس، وفتح الباب أمام جميع أنواع الاحتمالات لحدوث مشاكل كبيرة على مدار الموسم، وذلك وفقًا لصحيفة “آس” الإسبانية.
اقرأ أيضًا | فيرمين لوبيز يكشف حقيقة خلافه مع “صديق عمره” في برشلونة
وقعت الأولى خلال الجولة الآسيوية وتحديدًا في كوريا عندما التقى جافي بصديقه فيرمين خلال حصة تدريبية، واصطدم الاثنان بشدة.
كان فيرمين لوبيز هو من انتهى به الأمر في وضع أسوأ، إذ احتاج إلى مساعدة للنهوض ومواصلة اللعب مرة أخرى خلال التدريبات.
بعد بضعة أيام في برشلونة، التقيا مجددًا خلال حصة تدريبية، في هذه المناسبة تبادلا بعض اللوم والكلمات القاسية واضطر زملاء الفريق إلى التدخل لمنع تفاقم الأمور.
بدأت هذه الحادثة الثانية تُقلق الطاقم الفني أكثر، لأنهم مُدركين أن علاقة سامة قد تتشكل بين اللاعبين وبالتالي قد تؤثر في النهاية على غرفة الملابس، لذلك تولى هانز فليك مسؤولية الأمور بنفسه وتحدث مع اللاعبين في محاولة للسيطرة على مشاعرهما.
وأفادت “آس” أنه يمكن تفسير وصول تياجو ألكانتارا أيضًا على أنه الرجل الذي تم اختياره لمنع سيطرة الأنانية على الفريق وتشكيل شخصية اللاعبين الشباب.
Sunderland are the early big spenders out of all the newly promoted teams heading up to the Premier League.
Leeds have secured three new buys in the form of Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, and Sebastiaan Bornauw, but the Whites’ promising business has been blown out of the water by the Black Cats’ lavish approach, as seen in Sunderland forking out a combined £50m to land both Enzo Le Fee and Habib Diarra.
Plenty more luxurious buys could soon be on the menu away from this club-record £30m deal, as Regis Le Bris eyes up Ligue 1 and beyond to improve his budding squad.
More transfers expected at Sunderland
Le Bris must know the French top division inside and out, having previously been at the helm of ex-employers Lorient in the division.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
He’s certainly clued up on those who he thinks could take the Premier League by storm, with Sunderland reportedly interested in the likes of Lyon’s electric attacker Georges Mikautadze and standout Toulouse centre-back Charlie Cresswell to immediately improve their first-team options, while they are also allegedly keeping close tabs on 20-year-old starlet Arthur Evom Ebong.
Yet, his next buy could see him venture out to Serie A to try and link up with Matteo Guendouzi.
Matteo Guendouzi at Lazio
Indeed, reports from Italy suggest that Lazio are scared about the prospect of keeping their star Frenchman around this summer, with Aston Villa, neighbours Newcastle United and Sunderland named as interested parties.
Guendouzi’s PL numbers for Arsenal by season
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
19/20
34
0
3
18/19
48
1
2
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Although it is reported that Sunderland may have to splash out a club-record £43m to land Guendouzi, it could be a worthwhile splurge to make, even as the Black Cats edge closer to adding Noah Sadiki to their plentiful midfield options.
His wealth of Premier League experience could potentially be invaluable to the Wearside underdogs as they climb back up to the top-flight, alongside the fact that the 26-year-old has turned into an even more formidable central midfield option in Italy.
Former Arsenal player Matteo Guendouzi
Why Guendouzi would be a better signing than Sadiki
Of course, Sadiki could go on to be another youngster that Sunderland manage to get the very best out of, with the Congo international no doubt joining the Stadium of Light ranks dreaming of becoming the Black Cats’ next Jobe Bellingham-style project.
Last season, the 20-year-old undoubtedly impressed those out in Belgium, with the versatile Saint-Union Gilloise number 27 helping himself to two goals for his Europa League-competing outfit across the 2024/25 campaign, leading to Sunderland making their £17.75m move.
Yet, if it’s immediate success Sunderland are after – instead of waiting around for a youngster to learn the Premier League ropes – Guendouzi is their next best possible buy.
The 6-foot-1 battler is very much well-versed in what it takes to be a competent performer in some top leagues, having now made a mammoth 151 appearances in both Ligue 1 and Serie A, away from just his 57 top-flight outings in North London.
He will no doubt be chomping at the bit to return to England, too, considering he wasn’t always the star of the show at the Gunners. Still, even from just 23 Premier League starts during his final Arsenal season, he still showed off his presence as a “monster” – as he’s been glowing labelled by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – winning 4.8 duels per game.
Guendouzi’s Serie A numbers for Lazio (24/25)
Stat (* = per game)
Guendouzi
Games played
37
Goals scored
1
Assists
3
Touches*
68.3
Accurate passes*
52.1 (91%)
Ball recoveries*
4.7
Stats by Sofascore
The 26-year-old has since refined other aspects of his varied game at the Stadio Olimpico, with the table above showing off his well-rounded characteristics as a far more confident and assured performer when averaging a mightily impressive 91% pass accuracy last season in the hustle and bustle of Serie A.
If there’s any manager that could get even more of Guendouzi, too, it’s Le Bris, with the popular Wearside boss once coaching the Frenchman during the early stages of his football education at Lorient.
Also hailed as possessing “something special” by journalist Aaron West in the past, it does feel as if the time is right for the ex-Gunners midfielder to return to England and be a star, whilst Sadiki waits for his moment in the spotlight down the line.
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With the 2024/25 season coming to a close, clubs have been fighting it out for the major trophies. The EFL Cup was wrapped up in February, with Newcastle United winning their first gong for 55 years, while the FA Cup went to Crystal Palace as they secured their first major trophy.
Both clubs overcame top opposition at Wembley to defy the odds on their way to silverware, with Liverpool and Manchester City on the wrong end of painful defeats under the arch.
Liverpool and Arsenal were the ones fighting it out for the Premier League crown, but it was the Reds who prevailed, in the process winning their 20th top-flight title.
And Tottenham Hotspur won the battle of the Premier League strugglers in the Europa League final, with their first major honour for nearly two decades coming at the expense of Manchester United, who will finish in the bottom region of the league table alongside the Lilywhites despite their progress in Europe.
Meanwhile, Chelsea lifted the Conference League and the first edition of the newly expanded Club World Cup.
Here, we take a look at the most trophies won by English clubs, with a detailed look at the top 11.
For this list, minor competitions like the Community Shield and the Intertoto Cup have not been taken into consideration, while ‘European cups’ does not include the UEFA Super Cup, though these are counted alongside honours such as the Intercontinental Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Rank
Team
League titles
Domestic cups
European cups
Others
Total
Liverpool
20
18
9
5
Man Utd
20
19
5
3
Arsenal
13
16
2
0
Chelsea
6
13
7
4
Man City
10
15
2
2
Aston Villa
7
12
1
1
Tottenham
2
12
4
0
Everton
9
5
1
0
Newcastle
4
7
1
0
Blackburn
3
7
0
0
Nottingham Forest
1
6
2
1
11 Nottingham Forest 10 trophies
Nottingham Forest'sMurillocelebrates scoring their first goal with Nottingham Forest's AnthonyElangaand Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood
Nottingham Forest enjoyed their finest season in decades, finishing seventh in the Premier League table and qualifying for Europe. They haven’t won a major trophy since the League Cup back in 1990 under the leadership of Brian Clough, the most successful manager in the club’s history.
He led the team to their first and only top-flight title in 1978, before claiming back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980. Add in four League Cups, and it is no wonder why so many loved Cloughie. Forest have also won two FA Cups and a European Super Cup, taking their total to 10 major trophies won.
Competition
Times won
Last won
First Division
1
1978
FA Cup
2
1959
League Cup
4
1990
European Cup
2
1980
European Super Cup
1
1979
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Blackburn Rovers haven’t been in the top flight since 2012, but they rank joint-10th with Forest in terms of most successful English clubs.
All but two of their major trophies came before 1930, winning two league titles and six FA Cups. They ended an 81-year drought for a league title by winning the Premier League in 1995, while Graeme Souness won the League Cup during the 2001/02 season.
This remains the last time the club lifted silverware.
9 Newcastle United 11 trophies
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe reacts
Before winning the EFL Cup in 2025, Newcastle United had the longest drought of any club in England that has won at least one major trophy. Indeed, the last time Newcastle had lifted silverware before 2025, the Beatles were still together and the Vietnam War was ongoing as the Magpies won the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
The Toon have won four league titles in their history, along with claiming six FA Cup titles. The last of these came in 1927 and 1955 respectively.
Eddie Howe’s charges will now surely have their eyes on further success, particularly as they return to Europe and look to place themselves among Europe’s elite for the foreseeable future.
8 Everton 15 trophies
Everton have enjoyed brief periods of success during their history before going through long droughts.
Up until the 1940s, the Toffees had won five league titles and two FA Cups prior to enduring a quiet period. League titles in 1963 and 1970 sandwiched an FA Cup triumph in 1966.
Since then, only four more trophies have been won by the Goodison Park outfit, with the last one coming in 1995. They will have to wait until next year to end this drought.
7 Tottenham Hotspur 18 trophies
Much was made about Tottenham Hotspur’s trophy drought, which stretched back to 2008, as a club of their size should have claimed a couple of major honours since.
It took them 17 years to taste cup glory since Jonathan Woodgate’s winner saw them beat Chelsea in the EFL Cup final, with their 2025 Europa League final against Manchester United handing Ange Postecoglou the chance to break the club’s hoodoo – one that he took.
Brennan Johnson’s scrappy goal in Bilbao ended that long wait for major silverware, with Spurs lifting the Europa League trophy for a third time, with their latest triumph their fourth on the continent, having won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963.
Overall, Spurs have won 18 major trophies throughout their history, with their other 14 being domestic honours, including eight FA Cups. Almost bizarrely, they have not even been in an FA Cup final since 1991, yet have played in two European finals in the time that has followed.
Meanwhile, their league titles tally stands at two, with their last one coming in 1961. Only time will tell if their Europa League triumph proves to be a catalyst for more success in the future.
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ByRoss Kilvington May 22, 2025 6 Aston Villa 21 trophies
Aston Villa’s main period of success came during the late part of the 19th century and early years of the 20th century. The club won six league titles and six FA Cups during this period.
Arguably, their finest achievement has been winning the European Cup in 1982, defeating Bayern Munich in the final. This came after they had secured their seventh top-flight title the season before.
A total of 21 major trophies have been won by the Midlands side, but you’d have to go back to 1996 for the last time they lifted anything of note.
5 Manchester City 29 trophies
Manchester City have benefited from being taken over by wealthy owners as, before the takeover in 2008, City had won just nine major honours.
The last 17 years have seen the club claim eight league titles, three FA Cups, a Champions League title and six League Cup trophies.
Pep Guardiola turned City into arguably the finest team of the Premier League era, but the club’s struggles in 2024/25 were summed up by a second successive FA Cup final defeat – most recently to Crystal Palace – when victories would have seen them tie with Arsenal in the overall list.
4 Chelsea 30 trophies
Chelsea’s success during the first 20 years of the 21st century was undoubtedly down to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Between 2003 and 2022, the Blues won 20 major trophies, including five Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.
It wasn’t until 1955 that the club won their first league title, while they had to wait until 1970 to win the FA Cup. Recently, Enzo Maresca led the club to a Conference League triumph and the expanded FIFA Club World Cup title in his first season.
3 Arsenal 31 trophies
While Spurs and Newcastle get flak for their respective trophy droughts, Arsenal have won just one FA Cup in the last eight years.
Overall, though, the Gunners have won a total of 31 major honours since their formation in 1886, including a record 14 FA Cup wins.
Furthermore, they have also won 13 league titles throughout their history, along with two European trophies – the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970 and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.
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ByRoss Kilvington Oct 30, 2024 2 Manchester United 47 trophies
Manchester United rank second on this list, courtesy of winning a staggering 47 trophies in their history. Two managers won the bulk of these honours – Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Indeed, Busby won eight major trophies, culminating in the 1968 European Cup triumph, 10 years after the Munich air disaster. The Red Devils went through a slump until Ferguson managed to work his magic. By 2013, he had won 28 trophies throughout an iconic spell.
They have some work to do to reach number one, however…
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Looking ahead to their first attempt to get back into the Premier League next season, Southampton are now reportedly in advanced talks to hire an impressive 32-year-old manager.
Southampton's search for a new manager
The Southampton job isn’t exactly one that every manager will be jumping towards this summer after the Saints suffered relegation from the Premier League. Having opened their season with Russell Martin in the dugout, the Saints were ready to take on the Premier League their way and opt out of simply sitting in a deep defensive block.
As attractive as that approach looked, however, it did not result in much-needed points and those at St Mary’s soon switched their mindsets towards survival, sacking Martin in the process.
Their next decision was always going to be crucial, even if some were already convinced that relegation was looming. Following Martin’s tenure, it wouldn’t have been absurd to suggest that a pragmatic, experienced Premier League manager should have been the way forward, but Southampton took an alternative approach once again – this time hiring Ivan Juric in December.
Southampton manager IvanJuricreacts
Having enjoyed experience at AS Roma, Torino, Genoa and others in Italy, Juric stepped into the Premier League for the first time before enduring a nightmare spell. With one game remaining, the manager has already been sacked and Southampton have their place in history as the second-worst Premier League side in history, with one more point than the historic 2008 Derby County team.
Back at square one ahead of their return to the Championship, names such as Danny Rohl and even Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard have reportedly been among the candidates in the running for the job, but Southampton’s search has continued.
Whilst it could be neither of those young managers, the Saints have since reportedly turned towards an impressive 32-year-old who now looks the likeliest to commence a new era at St Mary’s.
Southampton in advanced talks to hire Will Still
According to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, Southampton have now approached Will Still and are in advanced talks to hire the 32-year-old manager, who just left Ligue 1 side RC Lens to be closer to his family.
Will Still at RC Lens.
The manager told reporters after his side defeated AS Monaco on the final day of the Ligue 1 season: “I will not be the coach of Lens next season. Today was my last match of the season at Bollaert. For multiple reasons, the main reason behind my decision is that I need to go back home. It is a logical choice for me to be closer to my wife, for her well-being.”
Back in England, Southampton are now reportedly confident that they will secure Still ahead of next season. The interest of the Saints should come as little surprise, either, given just how successful Still, who plays an attacking 4-3-3 system, has been in France at both Reims and Lens.
For Southampton, should they be successful in their pursuit of Still, they’ll be hiring another young coach to follow on from Martin’s previous spell in charge.
Celtic have made a habit of bringing back former players in recent times and could now do the same again once the summer window rolls around, according to pundit Paul Slane.
Celtic's summer transfer business is already underway
When discussing the Bhoys’ summer business, Kieran Tierney’s impending arrival at Parkhead on a free transfer is a topic worth delving into.
The Scotland international could potentially win a Champions League trophy at Arsenal before heading back to his boyhood club, representing quite the coup for Brendan Rodgers ahead of next season.
Greg Taylor could be Tierney’s direct competitor at Celtic if negotiations over a new deal for the former Kilmarnock man prove successful, potentially leaving Jeffrey Schlupp’s future up in the air amid his contract being set to expire at parent club Crystal Palace.
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Intriguingly, Tierney isn’t the only player Rodgers has opted to bring back during his tenure. Portuguese icon Jota made a shock move from Rennes in January after only six months at the Ligue 1 outfit.
Since pitching up in Glasgow’s east end for a second time, the 26-year-old has registered five goals and two assists in 13 appearances across all competitions, reminding supporters of his supreme quality on the flank.
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Ultimately, talented stars who gain admiration from elsewhere will mostly move on from Celtic at some point. That is a fact of life for any Scottish Premiership club, but the fact that they have been able to re-capture their services later down the line is a testament to the Bhoys’ recruitment department.
Of course, you don’t want a strategy that becomes entirely contingent on heroes of the past, but Slane suspects that Celtic could repeat the trick this summer.
Celtic backed to re-sign Kyogo Furuhashi this summer
Speaking on Open Goal (59:40), former Celtic man Slane rejected a suggestion entertained by Tony Watt insinuating Heart of Midlothian striker Lawrence Shankland could be targeted to bolster the Bhoys’ forward line.
Instead, he believes his old side should look at potentially swooping for Kyogo Furuhashi after his move to Rennes in January, where he has yet to score inside six top-flight appearances.
Initially, Watt stated when asked on the possibility of Shankland coming to Celtic: “Celtic probably need another number nine now, don’t they? Because the boy Kenny’s not really going to sniff. Somebody that scored 25 goals, I don’t think it would be the worst.”
Replying to his opinion, Slane then added: “The reason I’ll say no is I would have a wee sniff at bringing Kyogo back. It will be the same as Tierney and Jota and you’ll get him for less than you sold him. It will be a great bit of business.”
Labelled “excellent” by Celtic boss Rodgers, Furuhashi scored 85 times in 165 matches for the Bhoys and established himself as a fan favourite among supporters while leading the line at Parkhead.
However, he sought a new challenge and most supporters would likely want a new name to come into the fold this summer, given the need for fresh additions with future sell-on value.