Chelsea were dealt a nightmare earlier this week after the news of Levi Colwill’s serious ACL injury, with Enzo Maresca heading into the new season minus one of his star defenders.

The Englishman, in a serious incident of bad luck, suffered his fresh injury blow at the end of his first training session back at Cobham.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

Colwill will now be out for the majority of next season after undergoing scans and surgery on the problem, making the potential addition of a new centre-back suddenly all the more important.

Chelsea recently put pen to paper on a deal for Jorrel Hato, who joined in a near-£38 million move from Ajax, but the club view him as more of a left-back and an alternative to Marc Cucurella.

The Blues were apparently still looking at new centre-backs even before Colwill’s injury, so it is safe to say they’ll be at least considering moving for one now as we approach the final weeks of the window.

“Chelsea are still going to be in the market for a new centre back and a new goalkeeper, even after Jorrel Hato coming in, who as we reported is seen as Marc Cucurella competition anyway,” wrote journalist Simon Phillips via his Substack late last month.

There is no guarantee that both positions are signed at this stage or even just one, and it will be dependent on outgoings for centre backs, which I have another article on later today, and opportunities. But Chelsea are still very much exploring both markets for this summer.”

However, those within the club believe Chelsea already have a solid Colwill replacement.

Chelsea coaching staff want Renato Veiga to replace Levi Colwill

According to TBR Football and journalist Graeme Bailey, that man is 22-year-old centre-back Renato Veiga.

The Portugal international has been widely expected to leave this summer after spending the second half of 2024/2025 on loan at Juventus, with Chelsea even offering Veiga out to various clubs.

However, it is now believed that members of Chelsea’s coaching staff believe that Veiga should be given the chance to replace Colwill and show his worth.

“Chelsea are gutted about Colwill, he is such a popular player and is a key performer for them, and they are fully supporting him,” said Bailey.

“However, they are assessing their options, and I am told there are some voices at Cobham who believe that with Veiga, Anselmino and Hato, they could very well cope without him in the short-term.”

Maresca sent a public message to the 22-year-old last season, amid credible reports at the time that Veiga wanted to be used as a centre-back, not at full-back where the Chelsea boss was often deploying him.

“We brought Renato from Basel and he’s played well in different positions,” said Maresca, via Ben Jacobs.

“This has allowed him to join the [Portugal] national team for the first time in his life. Even if he’s not playing in his [preferred position], he’s playing for his national team in his early 20s since joining Chelsea. We are very proud about that.”

With Colwill out injured, it appears Veiga could well be granted his wish to be used more centrally if push comes to shove.

In a major boost in pursuit of yet another addition, one Glasgow Rangers target now reportedly wants to complete a summer switch to Ibrox as the 49ers continue negotiations.

Rangers gearing up for crucial UCL second leg after Ibrox win

It’s an important week for Rangers and the most important of Russell Martin’s tenure so far. The Gers travel to Greek side Panathinaikos in hope of sealing their victory in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. With a 2-0 lead to defend, the Scottish Premiership giants already hold a key advantage, but will be wary of preventing any dramatic comebacks.

Of course, if the Greek side square up against the Rangers side that were just held to a 2-2 draw by Championship side Middlesbrough in a pre-season friendly, then the Gers could certainly be in for a few twists and turns.

Left frustrated by the result, Martin told reporters: “The first half was a bit frustrating because we’re playing a good team. They’re athletic, they pressed really aggressively, but a lot of the moments that were uncomfortable for us were down to a lack of intensity on our part.

“And I said to the guys, I didn’t like the warm-up, there’s a bit of disappointment in a few people, maybe not in the team and all that stuff.

“But, if you’re disappointed and especially playing for this football club, you have to show it in being more aggressive and more intense, not being downbeat and sort of just being out there and letting the game pass you by a little bit. So they know that now. That can’t happen.”

The more that the former Southampton boss sees his side in action, the more he will learn and that has seemingly seen him turn his attention towards the likes of Abu Kamara and one other potential addition.

Rak-Sakyi now wants Rangers move

As reported by The Sun and relayed by Ibrox News, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi now wants to complete a summer switch to Rangers as the 49ers continue to negotiate a deal which could cost as much as £10m with Crystal Palace.

The talented winger spent last season on loan at Sheffield United and impressed many as he scored seven goals and assisted another two for the Blades. Even after impressing in England’s second division, however, the 22-year-old’s place in Oliver Glasner’s plans is far from guaranteed, and he has now set his sights on Ibrox as a result.

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Dubbed “fearless” by Crystal Palace fan account HLTCO, Rak-Sakyi would be following the likes of Thelo Aasgaard, Emmanuel Fernandes, Djeidi Gassama and Joe Rothwell on the list of players to swap English football for Martin’s Rangers side if he completes a move in the coming weeks.

The Gers have so far enjoyed an impressive overhaul, with the 49ers looking to make an instant statement, and the arrival of the Crystal Palace gem would only add to that.

تحدث جوزيه مورينيو مدرب بنفيكا البرتغالي بعد الهزيمة أمام تشيلسي بهدف على ملعب ستامفورد بريدج، في الجوة الثانية بمرحلة الدوري لدوري أبطال أوروبا.

وقال مورينيو في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “أبولا” البرتغالية عن هدف تشيلسي: “إنه هدف محبط، الفريق كان مثالياً في تغطيته وأسلوب لعبه”.

وأضاف: “بنفيكا لم يواجه أي مشاكل وديناميكية تشيلسي صعبة، لكن اللاعبون تصرفوا بشكل جيد”.

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وواصل حول قدرة بنفيكا على استعادة ثقة جماهيره: “هذا لن يتحقق إلا بالنتائج الجيدة حتى لو لم تكن نتيجة جيدة ولكن إذا كان الأداء جيدا، فالخسارة تبقى خسارة”.

وأكد مورينيو: “بعد الهزيمة أمام كاراباخ، اللاعبون لم يرغبوا بمغادرة منازلهم في اليوم التالي وإذا أرادوا غداً تناول العشاء في إحدى الشوارع فلن يهنيهم أي مشجع لبنفيكا، أعتقد أن هذا أمر إيجابي، أنا شخص أركز على النتائج والخسارة تبقى خسارة”.

ورد مورينيو على استعداد بنفيكا للقاء بورتو يوم الأحد المقبل: “إنهم فريق رائع يمرون بلحظة رائعة ويفوزون بكل شئ، ويسجلون الأهداف ولا يستقبلون أي هدف ولكن من يأتي إلى ستامفورد بريدج ويلعب بهذه الطريقة؟ يجب أن تشعر بالقلق ولكن لا تخشى بورتو كما لم تكن تخشى من تشيلسي”.

وختم مورينيو: “يمكننا الاستفادة من الهزية أمام تشيلسي، لعبنا بروح رياضية مع فريق جيد، كان من الممكن أن تكون النتيجة مختلفة، لم نتدرب كثيراً معاً، تشيلسي كان قوياً جداً في التحولات وأجرى تغييرات لتنشيط الفريق وكان لاعبيهم من مقاعد البدلاء أفضل من لاعبينا، لديهم كثير من الحلول، نحن مستاءون من الخسارة لكننا متفائلين بشأن التطور التكتيكي والذهني الذي بنيناه، سيكون لدينا أربعة أيام للوصول لحالة أفضل والتدريب”.

The Darwin Nunez era has come to an end. However Liverpool fans choose to remember it, they can’t argue that it wasn’t eventful.

The Uruguayan centre-forward arrived on Merseyside to much fanfare, with Jurgen Klopp having hand-picked the raw and powerful talent after his immense breakout year with Portuguese giants Benfica, scoring 34 goals across 41 matches in 2021/22.

That included an eye-catching performance against Liverpool in the Champions League, with goalscoring games against Barcelona and Bayern Munich preceding it.

When Nunez arrived, many thought he would follow in his footsteps of his countryman Luis Suarez. It was expected this maverick of a striker, oozing quality, would leave his mark on Merseyside.

But that wasn’t the case at all.

Why Liverpool had to sell Darwin Nunez

Nunez was given ample chance to make it work at Anfield, but ultimately, two of the finest modern coaches in Klopp and now Arne Slot have failed to unlock this enigma of a number nine.

At times a maverick, Nunez’s wastefulness and ability to get lost in the flow of matches ultimately led to his downfall, with Slot only starting him once in last term’s Premier League edition since Boxing Day. Across 47 matches in all competitions last year, the 25-year-old only scored seven goals.

And when Slot remarked that he “can’t accept if a player doesn’t give everything” following clear dejection when the striker missed a crucial chance against Aston Villa in February.

It’s for these reasons that an initial £46m fee has been agreed with Al Hilal for the transfer of the South American, who is now expected to have a medical with the Saudi Pro League side.

Touted as a talisman, Nunez leaves with a share of fond memories but plenty of moments that left something to be desired. A replacement is needed.

Liverpool preparing bid for Nunez upgrade

As per Spanish sources, Liverpool are preparing a fresh bid for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, having seen an initial £110m offer rejected last week.

This has since been corroborated by Fabrizio Romano.

The press over in Spain believe that Liverpool are prepared to break the British transfer record that they set with the £116m signing of Florian Wirtz in June by pressing ahead with a move for Isak, who, aged 25, wants to join the Anfield side.

Everything hinges on the Magpies’ success in signing a replacement, and with Manchester United having won the race for Benjamin Sesko, uncertainty reigns with that one.

Why Liverpool want Alexander Isak

Having signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for a £79m fee this summer, many observers might consider a record-breaking move for Isak somewhat superfluous on FSG’s part, but Liverpool are depleted up top in regard to numbers, and Isak would be the cream of the crop.

Not just a devastating goalscorer but an artful and athletic player, considered by his United teammate Nick Pope for being “like a wizard” on the ball, Isak is the real deal, and would be worth every penny as Slot looks to build and sustain a dynasty.

The £120k-per-week talent might even have enough talismanic aura about him that he steps up as Liverpool’s new inspiration, something that will weigh heavily on Slot’s mind as the 33-year-old Mohamed Salah enters the penultimate year of his journey on Merseyside.

Scoring 27 goals and supplying six assists for Newcastle last season, Isak certainly plays his role as the line leader with aplomb, and his goal against Liverpool to seal the Carabao Cup title at Wembley underscores his Steven Gerrard-esque quality, stepping up when his side need him most.

Gerrard had such desire and self-belief, and he had it in spades. The Liverpool legend is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, having played 710 matches for the Reds, scoring 186 goals and supplying 155 assists for his teammates.

But he was often the man for the big occasion, chipping in with his biggest career hauls against some of Liverpool’s biggest rivals, with Newcastle, Chelsea, Man United, Everton and Arsenal all featuring prominently on that list.

Steven Gerrard – Most G/A vs PL Opponents
Club	Apps	Goals	Assists	G/A
Newcastle	27	10	8	18
Bolton	23	7	9	16
Man City	26	6	10	16
Everton	33	10	4	14
Man Utd	35	9	5	14
Arsenal	34	6	8	14
Aston Villa	27	13	0	13
Data via Transfermarkt

Moreover, who could forget that FA Cup final performance, releasing a howitzer of a strike to force extra time against West Ham United in the 2006 FA Cup final.

The 45-year-old also inspired Liverpool’s historic Champions League triumph the year before, and stood proud as Anfield’s leader, through thick and thin, across the wide span of his unforgettable career.

Isak might not be cut from the same positional cloth, but the centre-forward has that rare quality that few players across the globe boast: the knack at grabbing games by the scruff of the neck and pushing his team forward, through to victory.

He showed as much against Liverpool at Wembley only earlier this year, after all, while his record against the so-called ‘Big Six’ is also nothing to be sniffed at.

A man for the big occasion, the Swede has scored six times in five meetings with Spurs, four in six against both Chelsea and Liverpool, while also netting two apiece against both Manchester City and Arsenal, across six and five encounters, respectively.

Regarded by journalist Harry de Cosemo for having “hero status” on Tyneside, Isak could immortalise himself in Liverpool by completing a transfer to Slot’s side, adding not just world-class ability but a willingness to step up and lead.

Just like Gerrard did. Time and time again.

More important than Isak: Liverpool begin bid for "world-class" £87m star

Liverpool have entered the race to sign a highly-coveted Luis Diaz heir.

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Angus Sinclair

Aug 7, 2025

Over the years at Manchester City, a celebrated few have managed to bag a goal on their debut for the Premier League giants.

Notably, both Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland registered goals on their first appearance in City’s sky blue, with Tijjani Rejinders now a part of this exclusive club after stroking a superb effort home against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He was also directly involved in the opener when delicately laying it off to Rico Lewis to assist the aforementioned Haaland, before putting it on a plate for the deadly Nordic centre-forward himself to close the one-sided game at 4-0.

Already, it looks as if City have struck gold on a Premier League-ready star, with the hope now that another statement signing can also go through before September’s deadline to try and replicate the immediate success of this £42.5m deal.

Man City make £86m superstar their main target

City aren’t having it all their own way in the chaotic transfer window.

It seems as if they will miss out on long-term target Xavi Simons, with the in-demand RB Leipzig attacking midfielder reportedly more interested in a switch to Chelsea than moving to the Etihad.

Transfer Focus

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

That won’t knock their confidence for too long, as another statement move looks to be in the offing to further enhance City’s potent attacking personnel that tore Wolves to shreds.

Indeed, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, City hold Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo in high esteem, with Pep Guardiola and Co singling out the £86m-rated Brazilian as a main target, if Savinho does decide to leave City behind for Tottenham Hotspur.

City will hope that the entertaining South American attacker can be an instant hit in the hustle and bustle of the Premier League, much like Reijnders displayed at Molineux, with the pair holding many similarities, away from just potentially lining up alongside each other in England.

How Rodrygo can be Reijnders 2.0

Before embarking on this new adventure in Manchester with Guardiola’s men, Reijnders had managed to establish himself as an easy-on-the-eye midfield figure in some tough European terrains.

Across 232 appearances for both AZ Alkmaar and AC Milan, the much-talked-about Dutchman would tally up a mightily impressive 56 goals and assists, leading to him then picking up a goal and assist on a magical debut in the Premier League, with football pundit Chris Powell naming him as City’s “star-man” post-match.

Rodrygo has similarly lit up the pitches of La Liga with dynamic displays from the midfield ranks, as seen in his bumper 68 goals and 51 assists across 270 clashes in Madrid, with the Brazilian also capable of playing as a centre-forward, away from being a comfortable performer down either wing.

Reijnders has also shown off a similar adaptability across his playing days to date, with a standout five-goal contributions coming his way from only 16 career appearances on the left flank.

Away from just this similarity, the numbers below again show correlations between the two players and their constant desire to make openings and goals happen.

Total shots

2.54

21.5

Shot-creating actions

4.56

3.13

Attempted passes

50.35

44.37

Pass completion %

85.7%

88.2%

Progressive passes

4.69

6.35

Progressive carries

5.07

3.02

Successful take-ons

2.15

1.02

Touches in the attacking penalty area

5.84

2.33

Progressive passes received

11.33

3.53

Rodrygo’s arrival on the scene could see the goals rain even heavier at the Etihad, with the Brazilian attacker far less focused on the build-up play – compared with the brand new City number 4 – and more focused on driving forward with purpose, as seen in him averaging more shots and shot-creating actions over the last year per 90 minutes than the 23-time Netherlands international.

The two new signings together in Guardiola’s XI could push City to stay at the summit, with Rodrygo’s blistering exploits at the Santiago Bernabeu even seeing him be dubbed “world-class’ by Madrid teammate Luka Modric, on top of being labelled as a “jewel” by one analyst.

Man City now targeting "fantastic" Chelsea gem who Maresca wants to keep

The Citizens could deal their rivals a blow.

ByTom Cunningham Aug 17, 2025

شن جاري نيفيل، أسطورة نادي مانشستر يونايتد، نقدًا لاذعًا ضد لاعب نادي ليفربول، وذلك عقب الهزيمة التي تعرض لها الريدز اليوم السبت ضد تشيلسي بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ليفربول مني بهزيمة قاسية أمام تشيلسي بهدفين مقابل هدف واحد، اليوم السبت، وذلك في قمة منافسات الجولة السابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز على ملعب ستامفورد بريدج.

وتعتبر هذه هي الهزيمة الثالثة على التوالي لـ ليفربول في كافة المسابقات، والثانية تواليًا في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

اقرأ أيضًا .. سلوت يبرر هزائم ليفربول المتتالية ويثير الشكوك حول إصابة لاعبه أمام تشيلسي

وسلط نيفيل في تصريحات إلى شبكة “سكاي سبورتس”، الضوء على مستوى إبراهيما كوناتي، مدافع ليفربول، والذي لعب بشكل سيء ضد تشيلسي.

ويرى نيفيل أن كوناتي قد أغضب مدرب ليفربول، آرني سلوت، في لقاء اليوم، مما جعل المدرب الهولندي يستبدله في شوط المباراة الثاني.

وقال نيفيل: “إذا شاهدت كوناتي وهو يستحوذ على الكرة في بداية الشوط الثاني، ستجد أنه كان يتمشى فقط ولا يتحرك بشكل جيد، كان الأمر محبطًا ومزعجًا بالنسبة لي لأكون صادقًا”.

وأضاف نيفيل في حديثه: ”أعتقد أنه أزعج أرني سلوت أيضًا لأنه قرر إشراك لاعب أفضل في الدفاع بشكل أساسي، لكنه لم يجيد الدفاع اليوم. إنه يقدم كل ما لديه، لكن ذلك لم يحدث اليوم”.

Chelsea fans have urged the club to sign a new goalkeeper after Robert Sanchez's early red card against Manchester United. The Spaniard brought down the through-on-goal Bryan Mbeumo and was dismissed in the fifth minute at a sodden Old Trafford. That prompted Blues fans to tear into the ex-Brighton stopper, saying he is a "walking, talking liability" for Enzo Maresca's side.

• Chelsea fans tear into Sanchez for Man Utd blunder

  Chelsea were down to 10 men after just five minutes when Mbeumo was felled by Sanchez just outside the box when the winger was bearing down on goal. This led to a social media pile-on as Blues supporters let rip at the 27-year-old. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Sanchez branded a 'liability'

  @johnsonj005 wrote on X: "How many frickin times are we gonna do this with him!!!!! I don’t understand! Get a new goalkeeper!!!!"

  @LiamDelap9CFC tweeted: "Worst start by Chelsea. Players should be ashamed to reach this situation."

  @Pran__07 commented: "Sanchez literally has 0 brain cells but [Todd] Boehly and [Enzo] Maresca loves him more than their own family."

  @CFCMamo wrote: "We have been saying to buy a goalkeeper the whole summer," and @NealGardner_ added, "For as much money as Chelsea spends, how on earth is Robert Sanchez still their starting keeper? He’s a walking, talking liability."

• Not good enough?

  Many pundits and critics believe that Chelsea cannot return to their Premier League-winning days with Sanchez in goal. While the Spain international is a shot-stopper with impressive athleticism, he can make rash decisions and costly mistakes. Despite that, he has been the club's number one ahead of Filip Jorgensen but this could put his starting spot in jeopardy.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  What next for Sanchez and Chelsea?

  To make matters worse for Maresca's team, Bruno Fernandes gave United a 14th-minute lead, and Chelsea also lost Cole Palmer to an apparent injury inside the first half. It remains to be seen if Sanchez will return to the starting lineup when his suspension is over.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Fortaleza vem em um bom momento na temporada. Após duas vitórias seguidas, uma pela Sul-Americana contra o San Lorenzo e outra contra o Vasco no Brasileirão, o Leão da Pici agora volta suas forças para a Copa do Brasil, na qual tem uma difícil missão: reverter a derrota por 3 a 0 contra o Palmeiras. O atacante Guilherme sabe da dificuldade, mas admite que as vitórias deram confiança ao clube.

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+ Veja tabela da Copa do Brasil-2023 clicando aqui

– Vai ser um jogo muito complicado, sabemos da força do Palmeiras. Mas com certeza com as duas vitórias seguidas que tivemos, em dois jogos muito difíceis, nos dá sim confiança para fazer um grande jogo e tentar buscar o que precisamos, ao lado do nosso torcedor – disse Guilherme, que garantiu que o Leão não priorizará nenhuma competição:

– Nós não priorizamos uma só competição. Temos um elenco forte, e sabemos da importância das três competições que estamos, então encaramos com muita responsabilidade. Cada uma tem sua importância pro clube. Queremos chegar o mais longe possível na Copa do Brasil e na Sul-americana, e no Brasileiro brigar até o fim por coisas importantes.

+ Fortaleza x Palmeiras: onde assistir, prováveis escalações e desfalques

Contratado pelo Fortaleza em fevereiro deste ano, Guilherme já tem 19 jogos com a equipe do técnico Juan Pablo Vojvoda, com quatro gols marcados e três assistências. O camisa 29 comemorou a rápida adaptação ao Leão.

– Me sinto muito bem adaptado ao clube e à cidade também. Desde que eu cheguei aqui, fui abraçado tanto pelos companheiros de elenco, quanto por todos no Pici, além, claro, da torcida. Estou me sentindo muito bem. Espero poder continuar ajudando o clube nos objetivos da temporada.

Such is the toxicity of an online fanbase that very rarely do you get a signing that unifies a bunch of supporters, particularly Arsenal.

Their fans love a vent, they love sharing their frustration but there is also an incredible collective unity. That was seen when Eberechi Eze signed for the Gunners on Saturday.

While a deal was wrapped up by Wednesday evening, this move has been in the pipeline for a couple of weeks now with reports suggeting that they had initially agreed the framework of a move back on August 10th.

After that, Spurs stole in and it looked as though Andrea Berta and Co were set to ignore their summer-long interest.

Well, an injury to Kai Havertz turned the tide. Arsenal need another body and they brought one in swiftly, spending over £60m to bring the Crystal Palace star to the north of London.

If reports are to be believed, they might not be done just yet.

Another late signing for Arsenal on the cards

With the arrival of Eze it is highly likely that Arsenal are now done the in the transfer market when it comes to incomings.

That won’t faze many fans, for this has been a cracking window.

Yet, the one player that’s continued to elude the club despite several months worth of links is Real Madrid winger Rodrygo.

Reports earlier in the window suggested that talks had been held but interest has never been followed up. Well, according to reports in Spain, a bid was actually made for the Brazilian.

Transfer Focus

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

Reportedly, Arsenal have actually submitted an offer worth £67m for the player. However, amid interest from Manchester City, Madrid are not prepared to sanction a sale unless their asking price of around £78m is met.

As a consequence, this is probably one deal too many for Berta this summer.

Why Rodrygo is as exciting as Eze

Wow, just wow. What a deal this is. The moment that Arsenal were able to steal Eze away from their biggest rivals is an event that fans won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

Eze certainly feels like the missing piece of the puzzle. Capable of playing from the left wing or behind the striker as more of a number 10, he’s a maverick, he’s a dribbler, he’s a goalscorer, he’s a creator. He’s got everything in his locker to be a success at Arsenal.

2024/25

43

14

11

2023/24

31

11

6

2022/23

40

10

4

2021/22

19

1

1

2020/21

36

3

6

What fans have perhaps bemoaned the most over the last year is the predictability of the club’s tactics but Eze will certainly help give this attack some unpredictability.

Rodrygo would help do the same and one might still argue that, despite added depth on the left wing now, they don’t have an elite option.

We’re clutching at straws here, but Noni Madueke’s favoured position is on the right and Eze’s preferred role would be more central.

Thus, signing Rodrygo, whether it be now or in the future would be the final piece of the puzzle on the left of Arteta’s forward line.

While he did go 17 games without scoring at one stage last term, the 24-year-old still netted 14 goals and supplied 11 assists. Remarkably, that is the exact same haul as Eze registered for Crystal Palace across all competitions in 2024/25.

In the words of former teammate Luka Modric, he’s a “superstar” talent. He’s also a maverick, just as Eze is, ranking among the top 20% of positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons per 90 minutes and among the best 13% for progressive carries per 90, via FBref.

In the shadow of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr at Madrid, since new boss Xabi Alonso came to the club he’s not received much game time and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before Rodrygo grows frustrated and forces a move away from the Spanish capital.

This is a deal that will likely go into 2026 but there’s no doubt that he’s a fabulous player, someone boasting the same level of unpredictability and excitement in attack as Mr Eze.

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Whilst also chasing deals to sign both Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tyler Dibling, Everton have now reportedly submitted an offer to sign an in-demand midfielder who’s worth around £17m.

Update on Everton's moves for Dewsbury-Hall and Dibling

After a fairly quiet few weeks, Everton have finally come to life in the transfer market. Just under two weeks until the Premier League campaign gets underway, the Toffees have reportedly set their sights on both Dewsbury-Hall and Dibling.

The Friedkin Group are wasting no time with negotiations, either. According to Fabrizio Romano, Everton have submitted an opening bid to sign Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea with the Blues open to his exit this month.

Meanwhile, despite already seeing two bids rejected for Dibling, with their second offer reportedly worth around £35m, those at the Hill Dickinson stadium intend to land both of their attacking targets before the window slams shut.

Securing those two additions would suddenly turn Everton’s summer around. Suddenly, their list of incomings would begin to look impressive, having already signed Adam Aznou, Thierno Barry, Carlos Alcaraz and Mark Travers.

Dibling and Dewsbury-Hall would also please David Moyes, who cut a frustrated figure when questioned about incomings during Everton’s pre-season tour of America.

The veteran manager told reporters: “The truth is we’re not getting them over the line at the moment – that’s a fact. We’re not getting a lot of the deals done which we’re hoping to do, so we’re continually reassessing and moving on, while maybe things are not coming to fruition.”

After Dewsbury-Hall and Dibling, however, Everton may not be done there in the market. Reports are now suggesting that they’ve submitted an offer to sign a £17m target.

Everton submit opening Lopy offer

As reported by Spanish newspaper MARCA and relayed by Sport Witness, Everton submitted an opening offer to sign Dion Lopy from UD Almeria, but that offer failed to reach the Spanish club’s €20m (£17m) valuation.

Linked with Barcelona, Almeria’s £17m demand should come as no surprise, but even as Everton aim to replace Abdoulaye Doucoure, splashing out such a price to welcome a LaLiga2 midfielder would represent a risky decision.

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If they can get that price down, then Lopy, a Senegal international, could prove to be a shrewd acquisition. As things stand, though, Friedkin may well be better off turning to alternative options.

Of course, if they push on despite Almeria’s £17m demand, then Everton should at least hold an advantage in personal talks with the defensive midfielder this summer.

The 23-year-old is represented by the same agency as long-term Everton star Jordan Pickford – handing the Toffees a relationship to instantly put to good use in negotiations.

As the final month of the transfer window continues, whether it’s Lopy, Dewsbury-Hall or Dibling, it looks destined to be a busy couple of weeks in Merseyside.