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da jogodeouro： Manchester City’s Champions League campaign is over.

da dobrowin： On Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola’s side were hammered by Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, with Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick seeing the holders easily progress; Nico González’s first goal for the club in stoppage time scant consolation.

It’s pretty indisputable that this Champions League campaign was an abject failure for the Citizens, this their earliest elimination since 2013, with their only victories in the competition coming over Slovan Bratislava, Sparta Prague and Club Brugge.

So, once again, Man City’s transfer strategy is coming under intense scrutiny; did the reigning Premier League champions let their answer to Mbappé go?

Kylian Mbappé's Real Madrid career so far

When the world was watching on Wednesday, Mbappé really came to the fore, scoring all three as Real Madrid swatted Man City aside, the 17th Champions League hat-trick by a los Blancos player, which is a new competition record.

The Frenchman now has 27 goals to his name this season, on target every 113 minutes on average, which certainly isn’t bad, but it hasn’t been all plain sailing since he made the move to the Spanish capital.

Earlier in the season, Jonathan Wilson of the Guardian argued Mbappé’s arrival had disrupted the ‘balance of the forward line’, adding that the Frenchman ‘cut a frustrated figure’ during October’s 4-0 Clásico defeat at the hands of Barcelona, in which he was caught offside eight times, a record-breaking amount.

In November, Didier Deschamps decided to leave les Bleus’ captain out of his squad for Nations League fixtures against Israel and Italy, citing ‘non-sporting problems’, which Mbappé later revealing he’d been struggling with a “mentality issue” throughout the season.

Nevertheless, speaking on the La Liga weekly podcast, former Man United and Wimbledon striker Terry Gibson believes the concerns surrounding Mbappé’s early season form were overblown, and that expectations were merely set ridiculously high when he signed.

Now, having scored 18 goals since the start of December, he is being widely praised, with Adwaidh Rajan of BBC Sport noting he’s gone from ‘adapting’ to ‘thriving’, teammate Jude Bellingham, speaking to TNT Sports after Wednesday’s win, described him as “brilliant” and “dangerous”, while Mbappé himself says he wants to “define an era” and “make history at Real Madrid”.

Man City had no answer to Mbappé on the night, but did they recently sell their own version, a decision they’re being made to regret?

Man City sold their answer to Mbappé

Mbappé wasn’t the only big-name striker who arrived in the Spanish capital last summer because, across the city, Atlético Madrid bought Julián Álvarez from Manchester City for a reported fee of £81.8m.

Chalkboard

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At the time, this was viewed as an excellent deal for Man City, with Richard Jolly of the Independent noting they got great value for Erling Håland’s ‘second-choice’, while Steve Price of Forbes added that the Argentine became the Sky Blues’ record-sale.

However, this isn’t so much the case anymore, with Dermot Corrigan and Thom Harris of the Athletic documenting that Álvarez has ‘hit the ground running’ at Atleti, adding that nobody is questioning his transfer fee anymore.

His recent Panenka penalty in a Madrid derby, that finished 1-1 at the Bernabéu, takes Álvarez’s tally to 17 goals for the season, leaving los Colchoneros third in La Liga, just a point behind both Barça and Real Madrid, hence why Graham Ruthven of Total Soccer Show described this as Europe’s best title race.

Interestingly, FBref deem Alvarez to be a similar player to Mbappe among La Liga forwards, so let’s analyse how their first seasons in Madrid compare.

Kylian Mbappé vs Julián Álvarez 2024/25 comparison

Statistics

Mbappé

Álvarez

Appearances

37

37

Minutes

3,043

2,385

Goals (per 90)

0.77

0.64

Assists (per 90)

0.09

0.15

Goals – xG

0

+3.7

Shots per 90

4.64

2.75

Shots on target %

50.6%

46.6%

Shot-creating actions

111

83

Goal-creating actions

14

12

Touches per 90

37.48

38.15

Take-on success %

44.7%

54.4%

All statistics courtesy of FBref.com

As outlined by the table, Mbappé ranks higher than Álvarez for most metrics, but only just, with the Argentine coming out on top when it comes to assists per 90, take-on success % and touches, admitidly the latter is only marginal.

In this season’s Champions League, only one player, namely Barça’s Raphinha, boasts a higher goals – xG figure than Álvarez’s +3.8, underlining how clinical he has been; for reference, Mbappé’s figure of -1.7 leaves him 862nd, out of 870, in this statistic.

Alex Kirkland of ESPN claims Álvarez could become Atlético’s ‘next great striker’, following in the footsteps of Diego Costa, Radamel Falcao, Diego Forlán​​​​​​​ and current teammate Antoine Griezmann.

Meantime, Charlotte Coates of BBC Sport believes Guardiola made a ‘mistake’ letting Álvarez leave, with the manager himself admitting “it could be a problem”, having previously described the Argentine as “incredible”.

So, would Man City have beaten Real Madrid if they’d had Álvarez in their ranks? Perhaps not, but it is still looking more and more like a mistake to allow him to depart.

Related Forget Dias: Pep must axe 5/10 Man City star after "hall of shame" display

Manchester City exited the Champions League with a 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid last night.

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da bet7： Arsenal are an entirely different club from the one Mikel Arteta took charge of over five years ago.

da leao： The Spaniard has turned what was a flailing midtable team into one that is now challenging for the Premier League title for the third consecutive year without many of their star players.

Much of the club’s evolution has to be put down to the manager’s tactics and leadership, but arguably even more important than that has been his recruitment.

The former captain has overseen the signing of several key players over the years, including one in the summer of 2021 who has seen his valuation soar.

Arsenal's 2021 summer signings

If you are talking about a signing made by Arsenal in the summer 2021 window, the first name that will come to mind for most is Martin Odegaard.

The Norwegian international spent the latter half of the prior campaign on loan with the club, and while he wasn’t sensational in that period, Arteta saw enough, and he was signed for around £30m with £4m of add-ons.

Since then, the former Real Madrid wonderkid has established himself as one of the most important players in the squad, was named captain at just 23 years old, and, while he’s not at his best at the moment, has amassed a pretty good tally of 38 goals and 31 assists in 179 games.

Another of the big signings that summer was Aaron Ramsdale, who moved from the recently relegated Sheffield United for around £30m, including add-ons.

The Englishman’s time in North London is an interesting topic, as while he won over fans and pundits during his first two campaigns and was a key member of the team who almost won the title in 22/23, he was suddenly replaced by David Raya the following year.

At the time, Arteta told the press that he did not have a set number one, but it was quickly apparent that he much preferred the Spaniard between the sticks, so after making just 11 appearances across all competitions last season, he was sold to Southampton in the summer for a fee of £18m that could reach £25m.

However, there was another addition to the first team in 2021, who cost more than Ramsdale and Odegaard, who remains an important player in the squad, and a recent increase in his valuation reflects that.

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Expand Collapse The Arsenal signing worth millions more today

So, while the likes of Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Takehiro Tomiyasu were all signed in the summer of 2021, the most expensive addition of the window, for Arsenal, that is, was Ben White.

The defender joined the Gunners from Brighton & Hove Albion for a fee of around £50m, and while there were more than a few dissenting voices from the media at the time, especially after his lacklustre debut, it would be hard to describe the transfer as anything other than a success.

In his first campaign with the club, the Poole-born “warrior,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, made 37 appearances for the team.

However, they primarily came at centre-back, which changed upon the arrival of William Saliba ahead of the 22/23 campaign.

Yet, instead of being phased out of the team, the 27-year-old dynamo simply moved out to right-back, where he has been ever since and, when fit, has a brilliant partnership with Bukayo Saka.

Interestingly, the former Brighton ace now has more competition than he did before with Jurrien Timber. Still, as brilliant as the Dutchman has been, we can see a world in which the Englishman comes back as the first choice off the right when he’s fully recovered from his knee surgery, in part thanks to his ability to provide width by overlapping brilliantly with Odegaard and Saka.

In all, the 6 foot 1 ace has made 146 appearances for the Gunners, in which he’s scored six goals and provided 11 assists, and this importance to the squad has seen his valuation soar, with Football Transfers now valuing him at up to €81.7m, which converts to around £68m, or £18m more than he cost Arteta and Co almost four years ago.

White’s Arsenal career

Appearances

146

Goals

6

Assists

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.11

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Ultimately, it might not have been the most obvious transfer to make at the time, but in the years since, White has become an instrumental part of this Arsenal team and is more than deserving of his new price tag.

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da fazobetai： Potential new Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has been tipped to sign one striker for Mikel Arteta due to his unique connection with the player.

Arsenal in talks to replace Edu Gaspar with Andrea Berta

da betcris： Long-serving former transfer chief Edu Gaspar resigned from his Arsenal role in November, with PSG director Luis Campos among the high-profile director names considered by Arsenal since then.

Related Arteta makes exit decision as talks held with £180k-per-week Arsenal star

The Spaniard is already planning for next season.

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However, it has now come to light that Arsenal could be closing in on another name to succeed Edu – former Atlético Madrid director Berta.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Man Utd (away)

March 9th

Chelsea (home)

March 16th

Fulham (home)

April 1st

Everton (away)

April 5th

Brentford (home)

April 12th

The Italian is apparently in very advanced talks to join Arteta’s side, according to some reports, with journalist Pete O’Rourke even telling Football Insider this week that his appointment is “all but done” despite Arsenal holding negotiations with Yossi Benayoun.

With Berta’s possible switch to the Gunners boardroom gaining more and more traction, transfer rumours are understandably going to follow, and many supporters will be eager to hear what the 53-year-old’s plans could be this summer if he is indeed hired.

Berta tipped to sign Matheus Cunha for Arsenal

The former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere has claimed that Wolves forward Matheus Cunha could be a very credible target for Berta given their Atletico ties.

The £90,000-per-week striker, dubbed “sensational” by Micah Richards, has been a star for Wolves this season, and he’s also got a very enticing £62.5 million release clause written into his new contract.

“Berta knows Cunha from their time at Atlético Madrid, and it could be a deal that goes through,” said Aliadiere. “He’s having a great season in a team that’s struggling to fight relegation. That shows you how good he is and how quickly he’s adapted to the Premier League. He could be a good signing too.”

Aliadiere added that the pending appointment of Berta is a “very” exciting one.

“I think by the sound of it and what I was reading this morning, Andrea Berta seems to be the man in pole position at the moment. It seems like only small details remain, so it looks like he could be the new one.

“He has great experience and has been at Atlético Madrid for 12 years. If you look at the signings he has made and what the club has achieved, it is very exciting. Very, very exciting

‘If we look at the job Edu has done from when he came in and where Arsenal were, the signings he has made, I think he has done very well. You don’t work at Atletico alongside Diego Simeone if you’re not very good at your job, so I am very excited. But of course, we hope to sign some big players now.

“It is very exciting, and hopefully Berta’s good connections with the players he has signed in the past can help Arsenal. I think he would need to have a great relationship with Arteta.”

da aposte e ganhe： Arsenal are now planning to hold talks over a move for a “superstar” striker, who is now looking increasingly likely to leave his club for a fee of £50m this summer, according to a report.

Arteta's striker woes at Arsenal

da imperador bet： Manchester City’s drop-off this season should have presented the Gunners with a perfect opportunity to win the Premier League title, but with Liverpool now sitting 13 points clear, it looks like they will be finishing in second place once again.

The lack of an out-and-out striker has been a problem all season, with Kai Havertz receiving criticism from the media prior to his season-ending injury, being branded “terrible” by talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy for his performance against Newcastle United.

With Gabriel Jesus also on the sidelines, Mikel Arteta has no fit senior strikers at present, meaning Mikel Merino has been forced to lead the line in recent times, coinciding with some poor results.

Related Arsenal leading Man Utd in £62m transfer race for "dominant" 20-goal star

He would solve their biggest problem…

Posts 1

Arsenal have failed to score in their last two games, underlining the need to sign a striker when summer comes around, and they are now starting to take action, according to a report from Caught Offside.

The report states the Gunners are now planning to hold talks over a move for Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, who will be allowed to leave for €60m (£50m) in the summer, amid a contract stand-off.

The north Londoners are attempting to beat Manchester United to the signing of Vlahovic, with their interest said to be more concrete than their Premier League rivals’.

There are other options in mind, however, with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko set to be considered, while Arteta is also thought to be a big fan of Alexander Isak, although it may be difficult to prise the Swedish forward away from Newcastle United.

"Superstar" Vlahovic may not be the best option

The Belgrade-born striker has been lauded as a “real superstar” by members of the Italian media in the past, and he has a very respectable goal record in the Serie A, during spells with Juventus and Fiorentina.

Season

Appearances

Goals

2019-20

30

6

2020-21

37

21

2021-22

36

24

2022-23

27

10

2023-24

33

16

2024-25

20

9

That said, there are doubts over whether the 25-year-old should be Arsenal’s top target, given that Victor Osimhen is set to be available for just £12m extra, and the Lagos-born marksman has an even more impressive goal record in Italy.

Isak would be the dream signing for the Gunners, given that the Newcastle United star is proven in the Premier League, scoring 19 goals this season, but the £120m price tag could be prohibitive.

The one thing that is certain is Arsenal must pursue a deal for a striker this summer, considering their title hopes have dissipated since making the decision not to bring in a new forward during the January transfer window.

da betano casino： Tottenham Hotspur’s campaign dangles by a thread, with Sunday’s defeat at Craven Cottage the latest in a lasting litany.

da mrbet： Hopes of success through the Premier League are negligible, for Spurs are sat in 14th with nine games to go, some ten points behind tenth-place Bournemouth.

However, Ange Postecoglou will cling to the Europa League and rightly so. Tottenham beat AZ Alkmaar last week to move into the quarter-finals, where a two-legged tie with Eintracht Frankfurt awaits.

Winning the competition would not only end an interminable trophy drought but carve a pathway through to next season’s Champions League proper.

Plenty of variables and the wrong move could spell the end for Ange. However, the Australian has reshaped Tottenham into an outfit with attacking inspiration once more. Injuries have weighed the club down in 2024/25, but there have been several threads which speak of an exciting future.

Lucas Bergvall is chief among them.

Lucas Bergvall's Tottenham future

When Tottenham won the race for teenage prodigy Bergvall in January 2024, they left Barcelona munching dust as they claimed the prized signature for an £8.5m figure.

Some bargain, that. The Swedish midfielder, still only 19, stayed in his homeland with Djurgården until the end of the 2023/24 campaign, but after arriving in London last summer, his talent and intelligence have swiftly seen him graduate in Postecoglou’s system to a high station, featuring 38 times, scoring one goal, adding four assists.

The fact he hasn’t graced the youth scene even once stands as a barometer for his ability and recognition within Ange’s project. Of course, injuries to other teammates have accelerated his development and then some, but Bergvall has largely stood out, earning praise from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola for being “unstoppable” on the ball.

The data backs that one up, for sure. As per FBref, Bergvall ranks among the top 1% of centre-midfielders across Europe over the past year for successful take-ons per 90, perfectly highlighting his expertise in that area.

It goes to show that Tottenham have the framework for something special, there is enough substance about this squad to create a trophy-winning future.

However, injuries and, yes, Ange’s failings may well have set the club back this year. So much hinges on getting a grip on that European trophy.

Bergvall’s great, but he is only a teenager. Looking back, Postecoglou might regret cashing in on a midfielder who plays in a similar vein to the Sweden international and might just have been an invaluable option in the middle of the park this season.

Ange must regret selling "master" for cheap

Tottenham Hotspurs’ advancement to the last eight in the Europa League owed in large part to Bergvall’s brilliance in the centre, notably winning all seven duels and completing each of his three attempted dribbles, as per Sofascore.

He’s only going to get better, but there is certainly a sense that he might have benefitted from Postecoglou keeping Giovani Lo Celso in the squad this year.

Tottenham signed Lo Celso from Real Betis in 2019, initially on loan, before the Spanish side re-signed him for a cheap £8.5m fee last summer when he had one year remaining on his contract.

The technically gifted midfielder largely struggled to impress in Tottenham, scoring ten goals across 108 matches, but he did enjoy moments under Postecoglou’s wing last season, with his performances this year proving he may well have still been of use.

Lo Celso is riding the crest of a wave this season, and if we contrast his metrics in La Liga with his performances throughout the 2023/24 campaign in the Premier League, it’s clear he’s got enough about him across the different functions of the midfield game to have made a positive impression once again this term.

Giovani Lo Celso – League Stats (23/24 & 24/25)

Match Stats*

23/24 (Prem)

24/25 (La Liga)

Matches (starts)

22 (4)

16 (11)

Goals

2

7

Assists

2

1

Touches*

28

57.7

Pass completion

92%

83%

Key passes*

0.8

1.7

Dribbles*

0.4

0.9

Ball recoveries*

2.1

3.3

Tackles + interceptions*

1.2

2.1

Ground duels (won)*

2.5 (67%)

5.4 (60%)

Data via Sofascore (* = per game)

As you can see, Lo Celso’s role at Betis has given rise to his playmaking qualities, but his defensive sharpness remains of particular note, combining with a “magic” touch on the ball – as has been noted by football reporter Oliver Young-Myles – to produce a refined and rounded midfielder.

As per FBref, the 28-year-old actually ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive passes and tackles, the top 2% for passes attempted and the top 6% for shot-creating actions per 90. It’s no wonder he’s been described as “the master of the last pass” by journalist Milena Gimon in the past.

He doesn’t dribble forward with regularity, but Lo Celso has completed 73% of his ball-carrying attempts in La Liga this term, highlighting his aptitude on that front too, another emulation of Bergvall’s abilities.

With a far superior goal threat, wonderful ball-playing game and defensive security, there’s little question Lo Celso is outperforming most of Tottenham’s midfield this term, Bergvall among them. This is not to the Swede’s discredit, but rather an illumination of the wrongdoings down N17. He should have been kept on the books.

All told, Lo Celso was underwhelming for the majority of his time in north London, but his prolific performances this year suggest that £8.5m fee wasn’t a fair reflection of market value when he left.

Not only that, the Argentinian star could have added the perfect extra dimension to Postecoglou’s struggling side this term, easing the burden on the shoulders of youngsters like Bergvall.

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da betway： Arsenal are preparing for a summer that could see considerable changes at the Emirates Stadium, with outgoings likely a prerequisite before new arrivals make their way to North London.

Arsenal set for busy summer following injury frustration

da spicy bet： The Gunners have been dealt an unfortunate hand with injuries, but Mikel Arteta will still feel a sense of regret when analysing how their Premier League title challenge has fizzled out in mid-March.

Bukayo Saka’s lengthy absence alongside Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus being ruled out indefinitely directly correlate to their inconsistent run of results, and they neglected to strengthen in the winter window. Either way, this season hasn’t gone as envisaged for a club that had genuine hope of becoming top dog at the start of the campaign.

Trophies have evaded Arteta over the last few years despite constructing a squad that has earned recognition for their ability to keep pace with the rest. Far too often, the final hurdle has become a bridge too far, which will only heighten anticipation surrounding summer reinforcements in the capital.

Andrea Berta will arrive as Sporting Director, and forcing Arsenal’s move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi through has become a key priority for Edu’s replacement. Morten Hjulmand has emerged as an alternative should talks stall for the Spain international.

Arsenal’s inconsistent run of results

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

Premier League

Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal

Premier League

PSV Eindhoven 1-7 Arsenal

Champions League

Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal

Premier League

Arsenal 2-2 PSV Eindhoven

Champions League

On the more ambitious side of the scale, the Gunners’ interest in Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes would represent a transformational shift in their engine room should any deal come to fruition.

Nevertheless, exits will be needed to make that a realistic possibility, and Arteta may now have seen enough regarding one of his side’s most high-profile operators in the middle of the park.

Arsenal could now sanction Thomas Partey exit amid transfer talks

According to TBR, Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has held talks with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. He is in line for a summer exit on a free transfer once his £200,000-per-week contract expires at the Emirates.

The Gunners appreciate the Ghana international’s ability to fill several gaps in the squad but are deemed ‘unlikely’ to offer an extension on the same terms he currently inherits at the club. At this point, no discussions have been held over a fresh deal for the 31-year-old.

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Ever the mainstay, Partey has scored three times and laid on three assists in 41 appearances this campaign. Predominantly featuring in the engine room, he has also filled in at right-back amid Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s absence.

Dubbed “outstanding” by Roy Keane in 2020, the man in question has been deemed as Arsenal’s fourth most consistent performer on Premier League duty by WhoScored, sitting above the likes of Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and David Raya.

Despite his status as one of Arteta’s long-serving assets, a clean break between both parties could now be on the table come the summer. Squad cycles end, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is sacrificed to fuel the fire for another title challenge next term.

da brdice： Liverpool are ready to accept an offer for a £150,000-a-week player who could leave Anfield this summer with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Alexander-Arnold set to sign for Real Madrid

da bet vitoria： It looks set to be an active few months for the Reds in the transfer market, despite Arne Slot’s side being on course to win the Premier League.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher wants to see up to six players brought in ahead of the 2025/26 season, with a replacement for Alexander-Arnold on the to-do list.

Related Sky Sports: Arne Slot holds talks to sign £40m+ "monster" for Liverpool

He’s a top priority for the Dutchman.

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“I’m excited to see where Arne Slot will take Liverpool because it looks like they’re going to win the league, but there are still so many areas to improve. He needs a centre-back as back-up to the two that we have, he’ll need a right-back with Trent Alexander-Arnold likely to leave.

“I think he needs a centre midfielder to replace Endo, someone younger and that he trusts, a centre-forward to play and a left-winger. There are at least five or six players he needs to get in – three to go straight in the team and three to be strong back-ups.”

The English full-back has been heavily linked with a move to the Bernabeu, with reports claiming a transfer is 99% done after terms were agreed.

Expert Fabrizio Romano has said that all parties are confident a deal will be done after Alexander-Arnold’s Anfield deal expires in the summer.

Jeremie Frimpong has been earmarked as a replacement for Alexander-Arnold and reports have claimed that Slot has held talks with Frimpong’s reps over a move to Liverpool.

However, Alexander-Arnold may not be the only player to depart the club. Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are also out of contract at the end of the campaign, whereas Federico Chiesa has also been linked with a Liverpool exit.

Liverpool ready to loan out Chiesa as Lazio make contact

As per reports in Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, Liverpool are ready to send Chiesa out on loan for the 2025/26 season and are willing to include an option to buy of €15m.

This comes after Lazio made initial contact over a transfer, though Chiesa’s salary of £150,000-a-week appears to be too expensive for the Serie A side. Indeed, his wages are even high at Anfield, taking home more than regular starters Luis Diaz and Ibrahima Konate combined.

It does look as if the Reds are ready to move the Italian on over the coming months, with the 27-year-old not exactly starring at Anfield after joining last summer.

Chiesa’s stats at Liverpool

Games

11

Goals

2

Assists

2

Yellow cards

1

Minutes played

387

He’s struggled with injuries and has scored just twice, with Chiesa’s latest goal coming in the EFL Cup final defeat to Newcastle United at Wembley. Under contract until 2028, Liverpool appear to be willing to send the attacker out on a temporary basis, making this one to watch.

da 888casino： And so, it all comes down to this. A pivotal game that could not only define a season, but also define the future of Manchester United.

da realsbet： Victory in the Europa League final would see United sneak into next year’s Champions League, providing the benefit of additional funds and an extra negotiating tool for upcoming transfer negotiations.

It would also provide a welcome boost for the early Ruben Amorim regime, a moment to kickstart a tenure that has been largely wretched on the Premier League front.

The Portuguese coach has repeatedly stated that winning the competition would not be enough to “save” the club’s season, although the prospect of potentially finishing empty-handed and in 17th in the table is too grim to ponder.

In truth, the Red Devils simply have to win. The problem is, the same will be true of Tottenham Hotspur, amid the need to end their own 17-year barren run with regard to silverware.

With so much riding on a game of immense magnitude, Amorim and co can’t afford any passengers – something which a certain Rasmus Hojlund is looking like right now.

Rasmus Hojlund's game in numbers vs Chelsea

While Ange Postecoglou took the decision to rest his key men against Aston Villa on Friday – with Micky van de Ven among those left out of the matchday squad at Villa Park – Amorim opted for a different approach at Chelsea, having deployed what could well be his starting lineup for tonight’s clash in Bilbao.

The worry for the former Sporting CP boss will be that despite an encouraging opening, which saw Harry Maguire’s fine finish chalked off for offside, the Red Devils still ended up on the losing side, having again failed to provide that cutting edge in the final third.

Amid what was the eighth league game in succession without a win for the Old Trafford side, chances were few and far between, with Amad Diallo coming closest with an effort from the angle late on.

For Hojlund, meanwhile, it represented yet another game this season in which he failed to even register a shot in the top-flight, having merely been a bystander to proceedings at Stamford Bridge.

Indeed, the struggling Dane lost the ball on 13 occasions from his 26 touches, as per Sofascore, having also failed to complete a single successful dribble, alongside recording a 65% pass accuracy rate.

Chalkboard

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

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A particular issue remains the 22-year-old’s desire to engage in needless battles with opposition centre-backs, as he ultimately won just two of his 11 total duels, getting little change out of Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill.

Amorim subsequently stated that he is “really happy” with the former Atalanta man, although perhaps the Portuguese is merely attempting to gee up the misfiring marksman, amid the lack of an obvious alternative through the middle.

Hojlund’s Europa League record – 24/25

Stats (*per game)

Record

Games (starts)

14 (10)

Goals

6

Shots*

1.5

Big chances missed

4

Goal frequency

154min

Assists

2

Big chances created

5

Key passes*

1.3

Total duels won*

36%

Possession lost*

5.4

Stats via Sofascore

Indeed, it might be time to consider actually replacing Hojlund with a wildcard solution, even if it would be a risk in a game of such importance…

How Man Utd can replace Hojlund

With just ten goals to his name in 2024/25, including just four in the top-flight, Hojlund is approaching the end of a miserable second season in Manchester, having failed to build on a debut campaign that saw him finish as the club’s highest scorer in all competitions.

Those woes have ensured that it would be worth considering a potential centre-forward replacement for Wednesday night’s clash, albeit with options limited due to Joshua Zirkzee’s recent absence through injury.

The Dutchman has been pictured in training, alongside Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot, although whether he will be rushed back into the action this evening remains to be seen.

One solution may be to trial Kobbie Mainoo in that role once again, following his surprise start as a striker against Crystal Palace in February, albeit with that experiment failing to work out as the youngster ‘faded after the first 15 minutes’, as per journalist Samuel Luckhurst.

The aforementioned Maguire, meanwhile, should surely only be a last resort in the dying embers of a game, with the Englishman needed to hold the fort defensively, amid concerns over the likes of Matthijs de Ligt.

With that in mind, Amorim may instead need to call upon talismanic skipper, Bruno Fernandes, to slot into a false nine berth, with the 30-year-old yet to be trialled in that role in this 3-4-3 system.

The Portugal star has previously played in that central berth in the past, having notably worked in tandem with Scott McTominay as part of a front two in last year’s FA Cup final win over Manchester City.

A player of invaluable versatility and quality, the playmaking “genius” – as hailed by Erik ten Hag – appears to thrive wherever he is deployed, with such a switch then allowing Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte to offer greater defensive solidity as part of the midfield two.

Fernandes, meanwhile, could then be flanked by two of Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Mason Mount in the number ten berths, with that fluid frontline potentially able to cause problems for a Spurs side who have endured their own notable woes this term.

A further benefit of that switch would be Fernandes’ ability to drop deep and drag the likes of Van de Ven and Cristian Romero with him, rather than the alternative of Hojlund attempting to engage in a duel with the stellar duo.

As The Athletic’s Jay Harris has noted, ‘with Van de Ven and Romero in the starting XI, Spurs can play thrilling football and look capable of competing for trophies. Without them, they look mediocre.’

Trying to get the better of the centre-back pairing will be vital at San Mames, with Fernandes able to give the two men something more to think about, rather than being content in dealing with the hapless Hojlund.

Yes, it would be a bold call to make such a switch for a final, yet with his performance at Stamford Bridge having been so underpar last time out, Hojlund can’t merely be guaranteed of start simply because of the lack of alternatives.

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da betsul： Manchester United are believed to be in pole position to sign a £4m+ striker who has also been targeted by Real Madrid in 2025.

Man Utd looking at more transfers after Cunha

da betway： The Red Devils are preparing for their first summer transfer window under the co-ownership of INEOS and manager Ruben Amorim, and there is plenty of work to be done following a disastrous 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

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A plethora of incomings and outgoings are expected at Old Trafford, and the first arrival ahead of Amorim’s first full season in charge is set to be Wolves attacker Matheus Cunha. Man Utd are set to trigger Cunha’s £62.5m release clause and give the Brazilian a five year deal at Old Trafford.

However, after Cunha, Man Utd are looking to make more additions to their squad, with Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo a serious target who could end up playing alongside the Brazilian behind a striker under Amorim.

At the back, Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford has been linked as a replacement for Andre Onana, and in midfield, Atalanta star Ederson is a man in demand with the Red Devils making contact over a transfer.

As shown over the last 12 months in deals for Ayden Heaven, Chido Obi and Patrick Dorgu, Man Utd are looking to build for the future by signing some of the best youngsters around, and they are now looking to sign a new teenage talent.

Man Utd in pole position to sign £4m+ striker who Real Madrid wanted

According to reports in Spain, relayed by Sport Witness, Man Utd are in pole position to sign Albacete forward Christian Kofane this summer.

It is claimed that the Red Devils, alongside AS Monaco and Erik ten Hag’s Bayer Leverkusen are leading the chase for the 18-year-old forward, who has a release clause of just €5m (£4.2m), following his ‘explosion’ at the Segunda Division side.

Interestingly, Kofane has also been targeted by Real Madrid after bursting onto the scene in 24/25 for Albacete, with ‘half of Europe’ keeping an eye on the Cameroon-born striker.

Kofane’s stats for Albacete

Games

19

Goals

8

Assists

1

Minutes played

1,175

As can be seen, the teenager has made quite an impact in Spain after scoring on his La Liga 2 debut back in November, and by the looks of things, a move to Old Trafford could be one to keep an eye on over the coming months.

da 888casino： Leeds United have conducted excellent work in the transfer window over the last couple of years, undoubtedly aiding their Championship title-winning campaign in 2024/25.

da dobrowin： Daniel Farke has built a superb side, which has constantly been affected by sales, with Georginio Rutter, Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville all departing last summer after the play-off final defeat.

The likes of Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Joel Piroe have all been signed since the German’s appointment in the summer of 2023, all playing influential roles in securing promotion to the Premier League.

However, added spending is likely needed over the next couple of months if the Whites are to maintain their Premier League status for more than just a single season.

With the summer window rapidly approaching, the hierarchy have already wasted no time in targeting reinforcements to aid Farke in his quest throughout 2025/26.

The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new additions

Striker Callum Wilson has been the biggest name on Leeds’ shortlist over the last couple of weeks, with it reported that Farke’s side were leading the race for his signature this summer.

The 33-year-old is set to leave Newcastle United this summer, with his contract set to expire at the end of June, but could face competition from West Ham United for his signature in the coming months.

However, he’s not the only player on their shortlist ahead of the off-season, with £10m Union Berlin right-back Josip Juranovic emerging as another option, according to TBR Football.

Their report states that the Whites are battling Burnley, West Ham and Fulham for the 29-year-old’s signature after making 17 appearances in the Bundesliga this campaign.

It also claims that the Croatian would be interested in a move to the Premier League during the upcoming window, with no offers yet made for his services.

Why Leeds’ latest target could be Farke’s next Tanaka

Midfielder Ao Tanaka has cemented himself as a fan favourite at Leeds after his heroic displays during his debut campaign in Yorkshire – being named in the EFL’s Team of the Season as a result.

The Japanese international joined the club from German outfit Fortuna Düsseldorf for a fee in the region of just £3.5m, which now looks to be a bargain given his showings at Elland Road.

The 26-year-old made 43 appearances, scoring five goals and registering two assists, highlighting the impact he’s made at both ends of the pitch over the last few months.

He will likely be a key part of any success endured in the Premier League throughout 2025/26, more than deserving of an opportunity in the top-flight given his time in Yorkshire to date.

Should the hierarchy complete a deal for Juranovic, it would hand Farke another version of the midfielder, joining the club from a German side – market that has evidently served them well in recent times.

Any move for the 29-year-old would see added competition for Jayden Bogle, offering depth should Sam Byram fail to agree a new contract at Elland Road.

Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal for the Union Berlin ace would set the club back, he would be a shrewd addition, producing numerous key stats that would see him be a fit in the first team.

Josip Juranovic’s stats for Union Berlin in the Bundesliga (2023/24)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

17

Minutes played

1159

Chances created

2.1

Successful crosses

2.1

Dribble success

58%

Tackles won

62%

Duels won

3.3

Recoveries made

4.8

Stats via FotMob

He’s managed to win 62% of the tackles he’s entered, along with 4.8 recoveries made, handing Farke an added defensive presence in what’s likely to be a difficult campaign.

However, Juranovic, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by former boss Ange Postecoglou, has also starred with the ball at his feet, creating 2.1 chances per 90 and completing 58% of the dribbles he’s attempted – offering the likes of Piroe, Dan James and Wilfried Gnonto an opportunity to improve their goalscoring tallies.

Given the interest from elsewhere in the Premier League, the hierarchy will have to act quickly to avoid missing out on his signature this summer, potentially landing themselves a bargain transfer in the process.

Should he manage to get anywhere close to the levels produced by Tanaka in Yorkshire over the last few months, it would be yet another sensational signing and one that would increase their chances of Premier League survival in 2025/26.

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