Aston Villa’s transfer activity this summer has been a careful balancing act, reflecting both ambition and necessity.

After losing academy graduate Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle and contending with persistent Premier League profit and sustainability regulations (PSR), Unai Emery’s side have sought reinforcement across multiple positions.

The Midlands outfit have already added Evann Guessand from Nice, but there remains a pressing need to bolster creativity and experience in midfield, particularly in the event of Morgan Rogers’ departure.

The club’s early campaign has been patchy, with a draw against Newcastle followed by a 1-0 defeat away at Brentford.

Despite summer interest from Newcastle and Manchester United, Ollie Watkins continues to lead the line.

However, there is a growing recognition that midfield reinforcement is required to support their talismanic striker, which in turn will unlock the team’s full attacking potential.

Previously, Aston Villa have gambled on other technically gifted Brazilian midfielders, exemplified by Philippe Coutinho’s arrival after struggling for form at Barcelona.

Now, another South American talent is emerging on the radar, with the potential to recapture that same blend of flair and influence.

Villa enquire about potential Rogers replacement

According to journalist Santi Aouna, Aston Villa have opened discussions with West Ham regarding the possibility of signing Lucas Paquetá.

The 27-year-old Brazilian, who has amassed 55 caps and 11 goals for his national side, is considered one of several midfield options should Villa need to replace Morgan Rogers before the close of the transfer window.

West Ham are understood to be holding out for a fee in the region of £60m, with initial inquiries suggesting Villa would need to meet a minimum valuation of £40m before talks could commence.

Paquetá has undoubtedly experienced a turbulent period at the London Stadium, having faced betting allegations in August 2023.

Although he was cleared of all charges in 2025, the episode is reported to have affected him profoundly.

Transfer Focus

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

Nevertheless, he continues to be highly rated.

Former West Ham player Declan Rice praised the attacking midfielder’s abilities, describing him as “mind-boggling” in terms of quality and vision.

Clubs including Crystal Palace, Manchester City, and Tottenham have reportedly monitored the player, though news of Spurs’ recent acquisition of RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons will reduce the likelihood of any continued interest.

For Villa, Paquetá represents a chance to combine proven Premier League experience with the technical finesse necessary to complement both new arrivals and established stars such as Watkins.

Why Paquetá could be Villa’s next Coutinho

Tactically, Paquetá offers Aston Villa a multifaceted solution.

Primarily an attacking midfielder, the Brazilian excels in creating and progressing offensive sequences, with metrics that underline his all-around capability.

According to FBref, last season, he ranked in the 74th percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (2.89) and the 79th percentile for progressive passes (6.16), demonstrating his ability to influence both goal-scoring opportunities and build-up play.

Additionally, he boasts the 84th percentile for touches in the opposition penalty area and the 75th percentile for tackles per 90, illustrating a willingness to contribute defensively – a balance Emery prizes in transitional play.

His aerial ability is also notable, with the 89th percentile for aerial duels won per 90, making him a threat in both open play and set-piece scenarios.

The comparison with Coutinho is plain to see.

Before arriving at Villa Park, the Brazilian struggled to live up to his colossal pricetag at Barcelona before briefly flourishing on loan at Bayern Munich.

When at his best, Coutinho combined exceptional vision, dribbling, long-range shooting, and set-piece delivery, ultimately making him a dangerous attacking asset.

Paquetá, arriving at a stage in his career where his technical maturity and Premier League familiarity intersect, could offer a more immediate and sustained impact than his predecessor.

From a squad composition perspective, Paquetá could integrate seamlessly with Villa’s existing framework.

He would complement Watkins in attack, add creativity in the final third, and relieve pressure on newly-signed Guessand, allowing Emery greater flexibility in rotation and tactical setups.

The midfielder’s proficiency in linking play and breaking lines would enhance Villa’s transitional play, which has been a key focus under Emery’s management.

If the deal progresses, it would also signify Villa’s commitment to international-level talent capable of impacting the Premier League immediately.

After losing Ramsey, and with ongoing interest in Rogers from external clubs, adding a player of Paquetá’s calibre would send a clear message regarding the club’s ambitions.

Aston Villa are prepared to invest in both technical skill and experience to remain competitive domestically and in this year’s edition of the Europa League.

Ultimately, a successful move for Paquetá could mirror the allure of Coutinho’s signing while avoiding the pitfalls that hindered his predecessor.

Villa would acquire a player with vision, creativity, and finishing ability, tempered by Premier League experience and tactical maturity – qualities capable of elevating both the midfield and the team’s overall attacking profile.

For supporters, it represents an opportunity to witness Brazilian flair integrated into a system designed for consistency and results, potentially bridging the gap between raw talent and polished Premier League performance.

Emery's own Grealish: Aston Villa agree terms for "magical" late signing

Aston Villa are ready to welcome one or two late signings to their squad as the transfer window draws to a close.

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 29, 2025

Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz and Liverpool controlled the noise from the summer transfer window on Merseyside, but David Moyes’ Everton have quietly assembled a team more capable of competing on higher ground than in recent years.

Whether the Toffees will make it a successful one is, of course, anyone’s guess, but the signs certainly suggest that improvements have been made under Moyes’ wing.

But then, what to define as success? Everton sit sixth in the Premier League after four games, two wins tallied and three games unbeaten. The Farhad Moshiri era fizzled out rather quickly, and staving off the threat of relegation was the aim.

But now, Everton want more, and understandably so. There have been some good signings in recent years, but maybe this current crop feel a little different.

Everton's best signings of recent years

Everton’s men’s side bid farewell to Goodison Park at the end of the 2024/25 season, but the change afoot was to be more than just the scenery.

A host of first-teamers left at the end of their contracts, and many needed to be shipped out if Everton wished to segue into a new, finer form.

Abdoulaye Doucoure was among those to leave at the end of their contracts, but the Malian midfielder’s departure was a more poignant one than most. 32 years old, he was still an industrious and effective part of the team, but he was also the highest earner on the books, taking home £130k per week.

His departure was necessary, especially with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Charly Alcaraz added to the central midfield ranks, the latter permanently.

The three years after Doucoure’s £20m move from Watford to Everton in 2020 were sparse in regard to jackpot signings, although Dwight McNeil has been a fantastic player when fit, and Amadou Onana did well before being turned for a healthy profit when sold to Aston Villa for £50m in July 2024.

It was one year ago, though, that Everton signed Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille for £15m. The Senegalese winger is among the most electric to play in England, and he has been described as being capable of “magic” moments by Sky Sports commentator Seb Hutchinson.

His ten-goal return in 2024/25 was eclipsed by no Toffees member, and he was the cream of the crop.

Perhaps he’s not anymore. At no disrespect to the fleet-footed winger, Jack Grealish has arrived at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and looks eager to step up as the club’s talisman this term.

Moyes has hit the jackpot on Jack Grealish

This summer, Everton handed Grealish a lifeline. The England international was a Three Lion no more, kept from duty for his country across Thomas Tuchel’s first three camps. Sir Gareth Southgate opted against picking the Manchester City man for the 2024 Euros.

In fairness, Grealish had fallen from grace under Pep Guardiola’s wing. Joining the Premier League giants for a British record £110m fee in 2021, Aston Villa’s beloved maverick never quite captured the same effortless flair that defined his time at Villa Park, even if he has decorated his cabinet with a wealth of silverware.

It was time for a change, and Moyes offered him a platform to reinvent himself this summer, signing the 30-year-old on loan in August.

Grealish has been in fine fettle since joining, posting four assists from as many games and winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.

Grealish – PL stats

Stats (* per game)

24/25

25/26

Matches (starts)

20 (7)

4 (3)

Goals

1

0

Assists

1

4

Touches*

28.5

48.3

Accurate passes*

18.8 (91%)

24.8 (88%)

Big chances created

2

3

Key passes*

1.2

2.8

Dribbles*

0.7

2.0

Ball recoveries*

1.3

4.5

Tackles*

0.5

1.8

Duels (won)*

2.4 (55%)

6.8 (54%)

Data via Sofascore

While the data pool is shallow at this stage of the season, Grealish is already demonstrating an ability beyond what was seen across his last two years at the Etihad Stadium, more confident and creative.

He’s already shaping into the Merseysiders’ attacking talisman, especially given the profligacy of the centre-forwards, and with that in mind, maybe Grealish could prove to be Everton’s own version of the aforementioned Isak, who joined Liverpool in a British record £125m move on transfer deadline day.

Isak, 25, has established himself as one of the best strikers in the world over his three terms on Tyneside, with pundit Alan Shearer even hailing him as “world-class” last season, scoring against Liverpool at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup, and hurling constant daggers into the net to propel Newcastle back into the Champions League.

There’s no question that he was the attacking leader for the Toon, and he will be for Liverpool too, especially as the 33-year-old Mohamed Salah approaches the autumn of his career in England.

Grealish is not a striker, and he’s never been a particularly reliable goalscorer, but he could be Everton’s new hero in a different way, inspiring and galvanising and making things happen in a way that none of his peers, even Ndiaye, can match.

Both Ndiaye and Grealish are players who stand out as among Everton’s finest signings in many years. It’s not a particularly high bar, but there are many teams across the Premier League and across Europe who would jump at the chance to welcome such stars to their ranks.

Who knows if Everton will turn Grealish’s loan spell into a permanent deal? The opening weeks of the campaign suggest that it should be so. Last term, Theo Walcott remarked that he is a player of “incredible talent”, but that his spark had been “coached out of him”. Moyes is instilling that joy and wonder once more.

The playmaker’s wage demands would need redress: the attacking midfielder cannot take permanent residence in Moyes’ squad without agreeing to a pay cut.

But if some agreement could be engineered, Everton would land themselves one of the most talented players in the Premier League, a player who has already shown himself capable of standing out in a rising team and with a smile on his face too.

Just like Isak over at Anfield, Grealish has the chance to be a superstar in a new setting, and TFG must ensure they get his signature scribbled in permanent ink.

Related Big Beto upgrade: Everton have already sold "the new Lukaku"

This centre-forward would thrive at the front of David Moyes’ Everton system.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Sep 16, 2025

Champions turn contest in favour as visitors drop their guard in the sun

Vithushan Ehantharajah12-Apr-2025

Dan Worrall claimed three wickets to help secure a healthy Surrey lead•Getty Images

Surrey 253 (Sibley 100*, Wheal 4-65) and 136 for 1 (Pope 56*, Sibley 55*) lead Hampshire 219 (Prest 44, Gubbins 43, Worrall 3-37) by 170 runsYou can get caught out on Saturdays like these at the Kia Oval.The sun shines scorchingly bright to start, enticing you to take it easy, as you lounge through the opening hours without a care in the world. And then, without warning or even a goodbye, it ducks out leaving you exposed to the chill, scrabbling for the security of layers to cover up that newly acquired farmers’ tan.Of course, many of the 4,132 who started their weekend here will have been wise to all that, taking jumpers and nothing for granted. But 11 not included in that tally – who all happened to be donning a Rose and Crown crest – were given a stark reminder of how sharply things can shift against you on an April day in south London, even when the odds had started in your favour.At about 12.04pm, Hampshire were coasting at 84 for 1, Mark Stoneman and Nick Gubbins steady and unperturbed, even if they were still 169 behind Surrey’s first innings. By 6.26pm, when the floodlights were doing too much of the illuminating, the visitors were now trailing by 170, Surrey’s second innings not just going, but flying.Over six hours of play, and Hampshire were more or less back where they had begun, with far less control. If anything sums up the kind of folly the County Championship can occasionally throw up, this was it. But there were no cricketing gods to curse, and not even the early lure of the sun could be blamed. The lack of progress was very much on Hampshire.Their confusingly slow morning of 42 runs in 29 overs played into Surrey’s hands, particularly given a wicketless first half of day two’s opening session. Then came a collapse of three for six that laid waste to Hampshire’s drudgery, as unnecessary as it may have been. The error of their ways was eventually shoved all the way down their throats by a 36-over evening session in which Dom Sibley and Ollie Pope skipped along to half-centuries with Surrey closing on 136 for 1.The risk of Hampshire’s impasse was clear for all to see. This is a Surrey attack that does not let up. Even Matthew Fisher, freshly down south, got in on the squeeze, straddling midday with an impressive six-over spell – four of them maidens – that went for just seven runs, occasionally beating the edge of both Stoneman and Gubbins.It was while Fisher was operating from the Vauxhall End that Dan Lawrence profited in front of the Micky Stewart Members’ Pavilion. Gubbins inexplicably guided a delivery from wide on the crease around the corner to leg slip, having survived an appeal for an identical dismissal the ball before.Gubbins’ misjudgement turned the focus on the preceding 64 minutes, in which he and Stoneman added just 29 runs. Three overs later, Stoneman had been trapped in front by a suitably rested Dan Worrall, tagging back in for Fisher, before a torturous 1 off 27 from Toby Albert was ended by Jordan Clark to make it 90 for 4.With the top four back in the changing-room, and the innings moored, the onus was back on Tom Prest to take the initiative, as he had done last week with 57 in the successful chase against Yorkshire. A flashed edge over third slip ahead of the lunch break – Hampshire’s first boundary in 26 overs – at least hinted at impetus to come after the interval.The 22-year-old ended the first over of the afternoon session with back-to-back straight drives for four. And when Dawson responded with successive fours of his own – driven through cover, then flicked around the corner – Hampshire had already bettered the morning boundary count (three) in the space of six deliveries.Greater ambition came with greater risk, of course, though Dawson felt aggrieved when given out lbw, seemingly certain of an inside-edge. However contentious, it was a deserved first wicket at the Kia Oval for Fisher. Skipper Ben Brown followed him back not long after with a nine-ball duck that included a life when Sibley shelled a simple chase at first slip.It was from this point that Prest was backed up by Brett Hampton for the best part of 10 overs. The New Zealander was happy to play the aggressor, swinging his huge forearms at anything and everything in his half, bringing about one novel boundary in front of square leg when he was aiming for cover.The only plus point for Hampshire was their first innings seemed in terminal decline when Hampton and Prest were seen off in the space of 11 deliveries, particularly given the modes. The former squeezed out a Clark inducker between bat and pad, stifling the ensuing lbw appeal, but inadvertently sending the ball towards Pope at first slip. England’s vice-captain broke forward and flung himself low to complete the catch. Prest, having negotiated the best part of Worrall’s bumper spell against him, aimed a lazy flinch at one that did not get up as much and found Ryan Patel at short leg for 44.Then came Abbott’s late dash to 37, 13 of them taken off Fisher’s 16th and final over, as a short-ball ploy was met with three step-away-and-carves through the off side, which also happened to be the shorter hit. By the time Abbott was done – bowled by Lawrence defending down the wrong line – Hampshire had closed the first-innings gap to 34.With a bumper 42-session to come after tea, there was an opportunity for wickets to turn this match into a second-innings shootout. But Abbott was the only bowler to register a dismissal, nailing Rory Burns in front, only after he and Sibley had brought up 56 between them in the 13th over. Having carried his bat the day before, Sibley went on, for another 55 unbeaten runs, with the only point of alarm coming when he almost ran himself out on 47.Pope best exemplified the shifting scenario, contorting it further with a breezy half-century brought up with consecutive sixes off Sonny Baker – the first carved over point, the second uppercut over third. No other side have been as chastened by Pope’s shot-making as Hampshire, and this was a ninth fifty-plus score against them in 11 first-class matches against them.They had kept him quiet in five previous innings, including seeing him off for 14 on Friday. But his average against them has ticked back up to 96.30, and it is not unreasonable to expect that to be higher by the time he and Surrey finish batting.Few sides are quite so ruthless as the defending champions when in such a commanding position. And while Hampshire will learn from how this match has been switched upon them by their own apprehensive approach, maybe they should have been wiser given how relentless their opponents have been over the last three years.

The international break has been and gone (until next month), and Newcastle United are primed to get their season up and running after an opening stretch that was disruptive to put it mildly.

Alexander Isak’s new life at Liverpool has begun, but Eddie Howe and co managed to pull through and equip their Magpies with firepower enough to challenge at the upper rung of the Premier League and in the Champions League too.

Two points and two goals from three top-flight fixtures to start the season underscore Howe’s task, and he will need to win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon without the suspended Anthony Gordon.

Joelinton is understood to have recovered from a fitness issue, but new recruits Jacob Ramsey and Yoane Wissa are sidelined for the foreseeable, the latter of which presents something of a conundrum after being welcomed as Isak’s direct replacement.

Wissa and Nick Woltemade, who joined from Stuttgart for a club-record £69m fee, are sure to contest for a place at number nine across the campaign, each meting out their differing skills on opponents throughout, and though Wissa would surely have started against Wolves, his injury means Woltemade is slung into the deep-end from the outset.

Why Howe must start Woltemade

Woltemade’s ceiling is high, but he has untapped potential, and Howe would likely want to ease him through the rigmarole of Premier League integration.

Wissa, on the other hand, scored 19 times for Brentford in the English top flight last season, leading Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam to hail his “absolutely sensational” finishing. However, the forward’s recent injury will propel Woltemade into the spotlight.

Having signed from Brentford for £55m on transfer deadline day, Wissa provides the Toon with the clinical goal threat withdrawn upon Isak’s sale. However, supporters will have to wait for a taste of his sharp attacking skills.

Given that Newcastle have blanked twice already this term and simply have to beat Wolves at St. James’ Park, Woltemade will need to be at the races as he leads a squad lacking both Wissa and Gordon’s qualities.

Now, the job involves finding the right conditions for Woltemade to succeed at number nine, and Howe might want to unleash right winger Jacob Murphy to achieve this, with the veteran’s wide spread of talents perfect for a striker such as him.

How Jacob Murphy could get Woltemade firing

Murphy would admit that for the lion’s share of his Premier League career he has been something of a journeyman, competent and industrious but rarely standing out.

However, he has become a star under Howe’s tutelage, hailed by correspondent Scott Wilson as being an “unsung hero”, having featured 139 times for the Englishman, the fourth-highest of any player across his reign on Tyneside.

And last season, Murphy came alive off the right flank, combining deliciously with Isak to form an unlikely and deadly partnership, bagging nine goals and assisting 14 more. Ten times did the duo directly come together to breach opposition defences.

Alexander Isak

27 (6)

33

Jacob Murphy

9 (14)

23

Anthony Gordon

9 (7)

16

Harvey Barnes

9 (5)

14

Bruno Guimaraes

5 (8)

13

Bringing this back to Woltemade, Isak might wear Red now, but Newcastle’s new attacking recruit could form a neat connection of his own with the experienced English winger, not just a talented goalscorer but also ranking among the top 5% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for successful take-ons, the top 15% for progressive passes and the top 18% for ball recoveries per 90.

The 23-year-old scored 12 times in the Bundesliga last season, starting only 17 matches, and that budding clinical edge could be served well by a partner in Murphy, who could also feed into the German’s dynamic range of underlying qualities.

Murphy’s intelligence underpins his style of play, and he will have no qualms about maintaining a provider approach to best serve Newcastle’s new centre-forward, whose clinical shooting and crispness on the ball last season led FBref to draw Isak as one of his most comparable players.

Less mobile than the 25-year-old, Woltemade is still one of the most technically proficient young strikers in the business, and he has a knack for the kind of smooth link-up play that will enhance Howe’s interchanging attacking system.

Moreover, he actually had a higher conversion rate than Wissa last season and was more accurate with his overall shot-taking, and this all comes together to present an “absolutely ridiculous” skill set, as has been noted by journalist Zach Lowy.

What Woltemade needs, now that he is expected to be hauled onto the centre stage immediately, is a reliable dance partner to guide him through the nerve-wracking opening moments. Wolves’ resilient and well-drilled defensive shape will seek to restrict the towering talisman, but Howe’s is a well-oiled team too, and Murphy knows the ropes better than most.

Murphy’s starting berth would come at the expense of either that of Anthony Elanga or Harvey Barnes, but both are compelling options from the bench, and this merely speaks at the strength in depth at Newcastle, even with Isak gone and Gordon and Wissa unavailable.

Wolves have suffered a pretty dour start to the season themselves and will be desperate to strike a blow on Tyneside, but Newcastle have an underlying current of coherence and quality that shoots from left to right in Howe’s system, and the scratchy noises from a turbulent summer transfer window have now abated, and Newcastle are ready, and Woltemade is ready, and Murphy will help him score.

Newcastle brewing Isak-level star in 18-year-old who's "similar to Mbappe"

Eddie Howe could develop Newcastle’s next Alexander Isak at St James’ Park.

ByWill Miller Sep 12, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians irá enfrentar o Universitário-PER com um time alternativo. O duelo é válido pela partida de ida dos playoffs da Copa Sul-Americana.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansGil se manifesta após ser cobrado e xingado por torcedores do Corinthians em hotelCorinthians10/07/2023CorinthiansRóger Guedes é responsável por quase metade dos gols do Corinthians na temporadaCorinthians10/07/2023CorinthiansVeja como o Corinthians planeja a volta de Renato Augusto ao time titularCorinthians10/07/2023

+ Torcedor do Corinthians, ajude a escolher o nome da área dedicada ao seu time no Lance! 

O técnico Vanderlei Luxemburgo decidiu não relacionar todos os atletas que foram titulares na vitória contra o Atlético-MG, pela 14ª rodada do Brasileirão. Assim, Luxa repete a estratégia utilizada na rodada final da Libertadores, quando o Timão já estava eliminado da competição e precisava de um empate com o Liverpool-URU para garantir vaga nos playoffs da Sul-Americana.

Renato Augusto, que voltou aos gramados após cinco jogos ausente, está entre os relacionados e deve ganhar minutos como reserva.

A novidade na lista é a volta do atacante Romero, recuperado de um problema no joelho. Além do paraguaio, o técnico corintiano chamou nove atletas das categorias de base para o duelo contra os peruanos.

continua após a publicidade

VEJA OS RELACIONADOS

Goleiros: Carlos Miguel, Kauê e Matheus Donelli

Laterais: Léo Mana, Matheus Bidu, Rafael Ramos e Vitor Meer

Zagueiros: Bruno Méndez, Caetano, João Pedro, Murillo e Renato

Meio-campistas: Biro, Giuliano, Matheus Araújo, Maycon, Renato Augusto e Roni Atacantes: Adson, Felipe Augusto, Giovane, Pedro, Romero e Wesley

+ Timão avança? Veja todos os confrontos dos playoffs da Sul-Americana

Uma provável escalação conta com: Carlos Miguel; Rafael Ramos, Bruno Méndez, Caetano e Bidu; Roni, Maycon e Matheus Araújo (Giuliano); Adson, Felipe Augusto e Biro (Wesley)

continua após a publicidade

Luxemburgo fechou a preparação para o confronto com o Universitario com um trabalho tático. Houve também um treino de enfrentamento em campo reduzido e um complemento de cobranças de falta e pênaltis. Os titulares realizaram um trabalho separado no campo e na caixa de areia

Birmingham City has seen their positive start to the brand-new Championship season unravel somewhat in recent games.

Indeed, the Blues raced out of the blocks very quickly after promotion with two wins and a draw, kickstarting their season on an unbeaten footing.

However, since an unexpected EFL Cup exit at the hands of Port Vale, the usually confident side have lost their way, as seen in the unfamiliar feeling of back-to-back defeats greeting Chris Davies recently.

Birmingham now find themselves all the way down in 11th position in the early league standings off the back of these two losses, with Davies praying he can get a tune out of his underperformers again very shortly, with Kyogo Furuhashi and Jay Stansfield – in particular – looking uncharacteristically rusty.

Birmingham's woes in attack this season

Birmingham are no longer the feared team in the division, having once bagged a weighty 86 goals on the way to lifting the League One title on a resounding 111 points.

Now, they find themselves in a middle-of-the-road position in the league above, with their recent attacking performances leaving a lot to be desired, arguably.

Frustratingly, since being in the right place at the right time to convert a golden opportunity back in August, summer arrival Kyogo, has regularly fired blanks.

Indeed, his lacklustre showing against Leicester City at the end of the month saw him make no accurate passes, while also struggling to catch out Jakub Stolarczyk with a goal-bound effort.

Having cost a reported £10m to bring to St. Andrew’s this summer, there will be a lot of worries already in the air that the former Celtic attacker isn’t cut out for the intense pressures of the EFL, and he will be viewed, down the line, as a costly mishap.

It’s not just new signings who have failed to settle up top, however, with Birmingham’s usually dependable number 28 in Stansfield also misplacing his shooting boots.

His last three outings in the cup and league have seen goals pass him by, with just 69 touches coming his way across those clashes, as the ex-Fulham youngster recedes into his shell.

Davies does have Marvin Ducksch as an alternative option in this department, but he will surely be resentful of Birmingham’s decision in the summer to part ways with this EFL-experienced marksman, who is now outperforming both Kyogo and Stansfield.

Kyogo & Stansfield being outperformed by ex-Blue

An unfortunate consequence of promotion glory is the rash decision-making that follows, as certain individuals are cast aside for flashier purchases who they hope will star in the league above.

In all fairness, there was plenty of logic behind Birmingham’s decision to part ways with electric goal machine Alfie May this summer, considering the hard-working veteran has never fired home a goal in the challenging Championship across his lower-league career to date.

Still, unwanted records like that are meant to be broken, and with May fresh off a promotion-winning return of 16 goals and eight assists in the third tier, Birmingham might well have been better placed to persevere with their experienced 32-year-old and see what he could do if given a chance up a league.

Birmingham’s loss has ended up being Huddersfield Town’s gain, though, with the brand-new Terriers number 26 now outperforming both Kyogo and Stansfield, situated back in League One, as he prepares to be yet another driving force for a side attempting to push back into the EFL’s elite division.

Games played

6

Games started

4

Mins per game

64 mins

Goals scored

2

Assists

2

Shots per game

2.4

Big chances missed

2

When looking at the table above, in league action for Lee Grant’s men this season, May boasts one more goal involvement than both the Englishman and the Japan international, with those four goals and assists coming about despite making just four starts.

His ability to be a “wonderful” option from off the bench – as he was once labelled by ex-boss Nathan Jones – would certainly boost Birmingham right now, with Davies no doubt now growing impatient with the wasteful displays of both Stansfield and Kyogo.

Of course, there’s no guarantee May would come back into the fold and be an instant success in such a daunting division.

But, there are certainly worse shouts out there, as Davies now tries to get his team firing again to ensure they don’t slide down the competitive league even more.

"Strange" – Reaction as Birmingham linked with signing 29 y/o free agent

Could the Blues get their man?

ByHenry Jackson Sep 11, 2025

أعلنت رابطة البريميرليج عن الفائز بجائزة رجل مباراة مانشستر سيتي وإيفرتون في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، والتي أقيمت مساء اليوم السبت.

واستقبل مانشستر سيتي خصمه إيفرتون على ملعب “الاتحاد” في إطار مباريات الجولة الثامنة للدوري الإنجليزي.

وتمكن مانشستر سيتي من تحقيق الفوز أمام خصمه إيفرتون بهدفين دون مقابل، ليرفع رصيده للنقطة 16.

وحصل على جائزة رجل المباراة، إيرلينج هالاند مهاجم مانشستر سيتي، بتصويت الجماهير بعد أدائه المميز.

وسجل هالاند هدفي مانشستر سيتي أمام إيفرتون، وذلك خلال 5 دقائق، حيث أحرز الأول في الدقيقة 58 والثاني بالدقيقة 63.

وارتفع رصيد هالاند إلى 11 هدفًا على قمة ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لموسم 2025-2026.

وجاء تصويت الجماهير لصالح هالاند بنسبة 95%، ليحصل على جائزة رجل المباراة اليوم أمام إيفرتون.

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.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  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.

Advertisement

• 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."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  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."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• 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.

Former Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro is all set to take up a shock new international job ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Ballon d'Or winning ex-Juventus star was without a job since Dinamo Zagreb parted ways with him in April this year. However, Cannavaro is now set to return to football management to lead Uzbekistan in their maiden appearance at the 2026 World Cup.

Cannvaro set to manage Uzbekistan

Italy legend Cannavaro has agreed to join the Uzbekistan national team as their head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America, according to . The Italian has verbally agreed to manage the Asian nation and he will be announced as Uzbekistan's next head coach in the next 24 to 48 hours. 

AdvertisementAFPCannavaro's vast experience in Asian football

Cannavaro is quite familiar with Asian football as he spent seven years as a manager in club and international football. He started his professional managerial career in the Chinese Super League at Guangzhou Evergrande, where he spent five seasons as head coach over two stints. In between, the 52-year-old also managed Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr and the Chinese national team.

Return to European football

Cannavaro returned to Europe in 2022 and enjoyed brief spells at Benevento, Udinese and Dinamo Zagreb. He joined Zagreb in December 2024 but lasted only five months at the club as he was sacked by the Croatian side after 14 matches in charge. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportCannavaro to manage Uzbekistan in historic 2026 World Cup campaign

Currently ranked 54th in the world, Uzbekistan booked their berth at the 2026 World Cup in June. They will compete in a World Cup for the first time in their history and Cannavaro will oversee their historic campaign in North America. 

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has faced mounting criticism in the aftermath of their botched deal for Eberechi Eze, and talks for Man City winger Savinho haven’t exactly been plain sailing either.

VIP Tickets

Secure your matchday experience with Seat Unique.

See at Seat Unique

Eze ultimately chose a move to boyhood club Arsenal ahead of Spurs, despite agreeing personal terms with the latter, when Mikel Arteta’s side swooped in at the last second and offered him a chance of returning to N5.

Tottenham also had a verbal agreement with Palace over the finances of a deal for Eze, but as the old saying goes – a signing is never done until all the contracts are signed.

Arsenal’s dramatic late hijack leaves Thomas Frank still without a star number 10 to replace the injured James Maddison, nor does the Dane have an heir to club legend Son Heung-min out wide.

Just under two weeks ago, Tottenham entered talks for both Eze and Savinho in separate deals, prompting huge excitement among the fanbase, but there is the possibility that Frank ends up with neither.

Eze is completely off the table, but in Savinho’s case, the north Londoners are not giving up, despite City blocking the deal as things stand.

Reports from Brazil earlier this week claimed that Tottenham are vowing to go all out for Savinho behind-the-scenes after losing out on Eze, and his agents are in London right now attempting to facilitate a deal (Globo Esporte).

Spurs could even submit a club-record £69 million bid for the Brazil international, but Pep Guardiola has previously insisted that he wants him at Eastlands for “many years” amid Levy’s interest.

Savinho is out injured right now, funnily enough, but an alternative to the 21-year-old could be Real Madrid star Rodrygo – if Spurs can’t agree a deal for the City man.

Tottenham make approach for Rodrygo amid chance of Real Madrid loan deal

Frank and Guardiola are poised to come head-to-head this weekend, and it gives club officials a chance to hold further talks over Savinho, as widely reported elsewhere.

However, City appear to be making this very difficult, and Rodrygo’s pool of suitors is running low.

The 24-year-old Brazil star, who bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season, has struggled for starts under new manager Xabi Alonso, and Defensa Central have claimed that Real could sanction a loan-to-buy deal as Tottenham take note.

Now, Mundo Deportivo, relayed by Sport Witness, have an update on the story – reporting that Tottenham are the only side to have approached Real over signing Rodrygo – and his potential exit remains a ‘live’ possibility heading into the final stretch of this summer.

Jude Bellingham called the ex-Santos star their most “underrated” and “gifted” player this year, and if a deal is there to be had, it is certainly one worth considering.

Rodrygo would be the statement signing that Tottenham are crying out for after a very testing window, and one that could seriously lift spirits around N17.

Readers like you help support FootballFanCast. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.