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Glasgow Rangers officially confirmed that Kevin Thelwell will take up a position as the club’s new sporting director ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The 51-year-old chief will arrive at Ibrox to take up his role when his contract with Premier League side Everton expires at the end of the season.

In part of his first official interview with the club’s website, Thelwell said: “From the first conversations, it was clear to me how ambitious the club is, and I’m excited to play a part in shaping its next chapter.”

Whilst this can be interpreted in many different ways, that comment from the Everton man suggests that there will be changes to the playing squad in the summer to align with the ambition of the club.

Thelwell will have the chance to ‘shape’ the team, which lost to Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, and that could include ruthlessly getting rid of some of the club’s current players, who have failed to lead Rangers to a trophy this season.

One of the Gers players who could find themselves on the chopping block when the Everton chief officially takes up his position could be striker Cyriel Dessers.

Why Rangers should cash in on Cyriel Dessers

The Nigeria international was signed from Cremonese by Michael Beale ahead of the 2023/24 campaign for a reported fee of £4.3m, and the striker has had mixed success throughout his time at the club to date.

Dessers has scored 29 goals in the Scottish Premiership since the start of last season, which does not sound like a terrible return on paper, but his underlying numbers suggest that his performances have not been as impressive as his goal return indicates.

The experienced marksman has not made the most of the opportunities that have been created for him in the top-flight, missing a whopping 47 ‘big chances’ to go along with his 29 goals.

This shows that he has been incredibly wasteful with the high-quality openings that his teammates have created for him, which has made him a liability in the final third because Rangers cannot trust that he will deliver in big moments due to his lack of composure and quality in front of goal.

Appearances

35

31

Goals

16

13

Conversion rate

16%

19%

Big chances missed

27

20

Assists

4

2

Duel success rate

33%

34%

Dessers has not only struggled in the Premiership, as his statistics above illustrate, however, as the former Serie A attacker has also failed to deliver on the European stage.

Since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, the 30-year-old forward has scored four goals and missed ten ‘big chances’ in 19 appearances in the Europa League. This shows that he has rarely provided a goal threat in Europe for the Light Blues, once again, because of his wasteful finishing.

Dessers, as you can see in the clip above, has had his moments of class, which is also backed up by his return of 29 goals, but he has proven that he cannot be relied upon over the course of a season to lead the line for a team competing for titles.

The striker, as evidenced by the aforementioned statistics, has shown that he is not a reliable finisher, and that is why Thelwell should look to cash in on him to provide the next manager at Ibrox with an upgrade in the number nine position in the summer transfer window.

The incoming Rangers sporting director could seal an instant blinder, however, by axing a flop who has been an even worse signing than Dessers, Nedim Bajrami.

Why Thelwell should sell Bajrami

If Thelwell wants to shape the team in a way that tracks with the club’s high ambitions, seemingly to compete for trophies next season, then the underperformers in the squad should be moved on, if possible, this summer.

Rangers reportedly spent £3.4m to sign Bajrami from Italian side Sassuolo in the summer transfer window of 2024, and he has failed to live up to any hype that came from that amount of money being splashed on his services.

Chalkboard

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

To date, the Albania international has racked up three goals and one assist in 36 appearances in the Premiership and the Europa League combined for the Light Blues this season.

The 26-year-old arrived at Ibrox in what should be the prime years of his career. He is not a young player still learning his trade or a veteran at the end of his playing days, which suggests that it would have been fair to expect instant quality from him on the pitch.

Unfortunately, that has not been the case for Bajrami because, as shown by his aforementioned statistics, he has failed to deliver goals or assists on a regular basis from an attacking midfield or a wide position.

The Albanian attacker, who is reportedly on a wage of £12k-per-week, has scored one goal and failed to provide any assists in his last 13 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants.

Appearances

25

Starts

13

Goals

2

Big chances created

4

Assists

1

Ground duel success rate

46%

Aerial duel success rate

38%

As you can see in the table above, Bajrami has rarely contributed at the top end of the pitch and has failed to earn a place as a regular starter, under Philippe Clement or Barry Ferguson, whilst being weak in his duels out of possession as well.

These statistics show that the £3.4m signing has not given much back in return for the money that was spent on him. Meanwhile, Dessers has, at least, scored 29 goals and provided some good moments in a Rangers shirt in the last two seasons.

This suggests that he has been an even worse signing than the Nigerian forward because they cost a fairly similar amount of money, yet Bajrami has delivered significantly less on the pitch in his time at Ibrox.

With this in mind, Thelwell must instantly axe the attacking midfielder from the squad in the summer transfer window as one of his first moves to shape the squad in a new direction, moving on players who have not performed well enough for a team that wants to compete for titles.

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ByDan Emery Apr 23, 2025

That could represent an instant blinder by the sporting director because it could free up space for a new attacker to be brought in, which could improve the team’s chances of success if they get the replacement right.

Aston Villa have now held internal talks over a move for an “unbelievable” midfielder, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer, according to a report from Sky Sports.

Villa pursuing attacking midfielder

As we edge closer to the summer transfer window, it is becoming apparent that one position in which Villa are keen to strengthen is attacking midfield, and they are particularly keen on bringing in Rosenborg youngster Sverre Nypan.

Sporting director Monchi was recently spotted in Norway, having held talks with Nypan’s father to discuss the possibility of a move, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now suggested the deal could be edging closer to completion.

At just 18-years-old, the Rosenborg starlet is likely to be one for the future, and there are now suggestions the Villans could look to bring in an attacking midfielder with a plethora of experience at the top level.

According to a report from Sky Sports, Aston Villa have now held internal discussions over a move for Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to leave the Etihad Stadium upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the season.

De Bruyne may be reluctant to leave England due to family reasons, which has alerted a number of Premier League clubs to the Belgian’s availability, while there is also widespread interest from abroad.

Inter Miami, Chicago Fire, NYCFC and D.C. United have submitted enquiries, with Serie A side Como also in the picture to sign the 33-year-old.

Romano: Aston Villa star club are "happy" with could leave for right offer

He’s future at Villa Park isn’t guaranteed.

ByBarney Lane Apr 22, 2025 "Unbelievable" De Bruyne is a Premier League great

The Belgium international has admitted he was surprised not to be offered a new deal to remain with City, perhaps considering he has still performed well this season, despite a slight drop-off, picking up three goals and seven assists in the Premier League.

The City legend has recorded a remarkable 121 assists and 71 goals in 284 Premier League games, which establishes him as one of the true greats, and he ranks highly across some key attacking metrics over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Assists

0.43 (97th percentile)

Shot-creating actions

5.97 (96th percentile)

Progressive passes

7.45 (97th percentile)

While De Bruyne is perhaps not at the level he once was, he is clearly still capable of competing at a high level, and it could be a little early to move to the MLS, so it may be worth Villa making a move, as long as his wage demands are reasonable.

Manchester United’s dismal season in the Premier League continued to hit new lows after a 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Vitor Pereira’s side, who have been battling relegation all season, are now level on points with the Red Devils on 58 points, only behind them on goal difference.

A stunning free-kick from Pablo Sarabia was the difference between the two sides in Manchester, as a moment of quality decided the match in a stadium where that has often been the case for the home team in the Premier League era.

A lack of quality sums up where United are at this moment in time – sat 14th in the league table – and their selection of strikers is a damning indictment on the recruitment work done behind the scenes in recent years.

Rasmus Hojlund, signed from Atalanta in a £72m deal in 2023, started against Wolves and failed to score, which means that he has scored three goals in 28 Premier League matches.

Joshua Zirkzee was unavailable and is set to miss the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury, but he has rarely provided the quality that United need in the final third.

Why Man Utd could move on from Joshua Zirkzee

The Red Devils reportedly paid a fee of £36.5m to sign the Netherlands international from Serie A side Bologna last summer to compete with Hojlund for a spot in the starting line-up.

Unfortunately, neither of them have performed well enough to nail down the position of Manchester United’s first-choice number nine, instead taking turns at struggling at the top end of the pitch in the Premier League.

Zirkzee has started 14 of his 32 appearances in the division, which shows that he has failed to perform well enough to be a consistent starter, and scored three goals from 4.82 xG in that time.

Non-penalty xG

0.31

Bottom 36%

Non-penalty goals

0.19

Bottom 16%

Shots

1.89

Bottom 9%

Assists

0.06

Bottom 19%

Expected Assisted Goals

0.10

Bottom 41%

Shot-creating actions

1.99

Bottom 31%

As you can see in the table above, the Dutch centre-forward ranks incredibly lowly among strikers in the Premier League in a host of key goalscoring metrics.

These statistics show that Zirkzee does not get into high-quality goalscoring positions on a regular basis and that he fails to make the most of his opportunities when they do come his way.

The former Bayern Munich gem turns 24 next month, almost two years older than Hojlund, and could be moved on this summer to make room for a new striker. He cost more than £30m less than the Danish prospect, which could make it more appealing to sell to limit any losses on their initial outlay.

Man Utd reach agreement with £30m striker

According to Africa Foot, as relayed by TEAMtalk, Manchester United have already reached an agreement with Victor Osimhen and his representatives ahead of a possible transfer.

The report claims that the Red Devils have struck a deal with the Nigeria international ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, as they look to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

It reveals that Osimhen wants to move to the Premier League to take the next step in his career, and he has now given the green light to a transfer to Old Trafford.

The outlet adds that a permanent exit from Napoli is on the cards for the striker this summer, despite his contract not ending until 2026, and that a fee of up to £30m could be enough to secure his services.

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Whilst an agreement may have been reached with Osimhen and his representatives, Manchester United still need to agree a deal with the Italian club to ensure that the forward is part of Ruben Amorim’s squad for the 2025/26 campaign.

The agreement with the player does suggest that they are closing in on the Galatasaray loanee, though, and that may not be good news for Zirkzee and his future in Manchester.

Why Manchester United should sign Victor Osimhen

The Red Devils must continue on their path to signing Osimhen from Napoli this summer because he could come in to solve the problems that they have had in the striker position this season.

The 26-year-old marksman is a prolific and reliable goalscorer who has proven his quality at the top end of the pitch in recent seasons, in Italy, France, and Turkey, whilst the United front two have struggled throughout the 2024/25 campaign in the Premier League.

24/25

Galatasaray

33

29

23/24

Napoli

32

17

22/23

Napoli

39

31

21/22

Napoli

32

18

20/21

Napoli

30

10

19/20

Lille

35

17

As you can see in the table above, Osimhen has scored 17 goals or more in five of the last six seasons for Lille, Napoli, and Galatasaray, with a staggering 29 goals in 33 matches in the current campaign.

The Napoli forward, who was once described as a “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, was particularly impressive in the 2022/23 Serie A season, scoring 26 goals to guide his side to the title.

Zirkzee, meanwhile, has only scored seven goals in 48 matches in all competitions in his debut year in England, which would be Osimhen’s lowest tally in any of his last six years.

This suggests that Osimhen, who currently ranks within the top 1% of forwards in the Men’s Big 5 Leagues and European competitions for non-penalty xG per 90 (0.98), would come in as a significant upgrade on both Zirkzee and Hojlund due to his ability to consistently and reliably find the back of the net, adapting to new countries and leagues with ease.

In terms of what that would mean for the current United strikers, Zirkzee being older and less expensive than Hojlund could result in him being the one to be sent packing to make room for the Nigerian striker ahead of next season.

Therefore, the news that United have reached an agreement with Osimhen should come as bad news to the Dutch attacker, whose days at Old Trafford may already be numbered.

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It is now down to the board to ensure that they can reach an agreement with Napoli, whether that is for a fee of £30m or not, to bolster Amorim’s attacking options.

Manchester United could soon be searching for a replacement for their biggest earner, Casemiro.

The central midfielder on £350,000 a week, which works out at more than £18m per season, has been linked with an Old Trafford exit over the last 12 months.

He remains a Red Devils player for now, but with Ruben Amorim, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS seemingly looking at youth and planning for the future, Casemiro’s days at Man Utd could be numbered.

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1 ByBarney Lane Feb 24, 2025

Still sneaking into an underperforming Manchester United side for the drab goalless draw against Man City at the weekend, a refresh of the United midfield is surely just around the corner.

With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at 10 midfielders Man Utd could target to replace Casemiro.

1 Ederson Atalanta

Heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford over the last six months has been Ederson of Atalanta.

United have reportedly held internal talks over a move for the Brazilian, who has been labelled as a ‘well-built central midfielder’. The Red Devils aren’t the only club keen, though, so may need to act fast.

2 Frenkie de Jong Barcelona

United have been linked with a move for Frenkie de Jong for years now, but could 2025 be the year the Dutchman finally moves to Manchester?

A transfer was mooted last summer with De Jong seen as a potential long-term upgrade on Casemiro. He has continued to impress with the Catalan giants, so it wouldn’t be a shock if Man Utd returned.

3 Aurelien Tchouameni Real Madrid

An ambitious target would be Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni, though his name has been mentioned in the media as a Man Utd target in 2025.

Dubbed ‘one of the best defensive midfielders on the planet’, Tchouameni would surely cost as much as Casemiro did, maybe even more, if United are to bring the Frenchman to Manchester, but at 25, they should get far more out of him if a move worked out.

4 Hugo Larsson Eintracht Frankfurt

Reports earlier this year suggested that Man Utd are ready to spend to sign Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson this summer.

Valued at around £50m, Larsson is just 20 years of age, but has been making great strides in Germany since joining Frankfurt in 2023. Also a full Sweden international, Larsson is valued at a career-high €35m (£29.8m) by Transfermarkt – a figure which may only increase in the coming years.

5 Morten Hjulmand Sporting CP

When Manuel Ugarte moved to PSG from Sporting CP, Morten Hjulmand was signed as his replacement in midfield and has been starring in Portugal ever since.

Amorim therefore knows the Denmark international very well and Man Utd were reportedly in pole position to sign Hjulmand at the end of 2024, so he could be another target.

6 Adam Wharton Crystal Palace

One of the brightest English midfielders around at the moment is Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace.

At the age of 21, Wharton is a Premier League regular for the Eagles and a full England international who has been to a major tournament. INEOS appears to be targeting young stars at Old Trafford, and a £60m+ move to Man Utd for Wharton has been rumoured recently.

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ByBarney Lane Feb 26, 2025 7 Joao Gomes Wolves

Another Premier League option for Man Utd to replace Casemiro could lead them to Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes.

The Brazilian has been a regular at Molineux in recent years and was reportedly wanted at Old Trafford before Ugarte arrived. United are still keen on Gomes, so we may see the two alongside each other for the Red Devils, should they get their way.

8 Leon Goretzka Bayern Munich

A high-profile option with plenty of experience at the highest level is Leon Goretzka of Bayern Munich.

The German has won 11 major honours at the Allianz Arena, including the Champions League, and Man Utd have been linked with a move over the last six months. However, Goretzka’s huge £215,000-a-week wage could be a problem.

9 Exequiel Palacios Bayer Leverkusen

A World Cup winner with Argentina and a Bundesliga champion with Bayer Leverkusen, Exequiel Palacios could be a shrewd addition at the right price for the Red Devils.

At 26 years of age, you could argue that Palacios is in his prime and still has plenty of high-level years ahead of him. After learning under one of the best midfielders in Xabi Alonso, Man Utd may be wise to revisit their 2024 interest.

10 Christian Ordonez Velez Sarsfield

With INEOS looking at the future, they may look at replacing someone like Casemiro with a promising youngster such as Christian Ordonez.

He’s previously been mooted as a Casemiro replacement at Old Trafford in a deal worth just over £8m. The 20-year-old has even been dubbed ‘one of the strongest’ in Argentina, so Man Utd could land a future star in Ordonez.

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United are in need of a revamp in the summer.

2 ByBarney Lane Feb 4, 2025

The harsh winter months have proven to be Manchester United’s recent undoing in the Premier League.

Since the 1st of November hit, the Red Devils have reverted back to their inconsistent selves under Ruben Amorim, with three wins on the trot in October then followed up by two unwanted draws on the spin, before a ten-man Everton got the better of Amorim and Co on their own patch 1-0.

They did respond to that home humiliation at the hands of the Toffees with a much-needed 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, but an unsatisfactory 1-1 draw last time out against West Ham United only saw the misery pile up once more.

How will the up-and-down outfit fare across their remaining five fixtures to come across a jam-packed December? Only time will tell.

Whatever does take place, United will be able to take some solace in the January transfer window reopening, as several bumper deals are alleged to be in the works…

Man United's list of transfer targets

Indeed, it does appear as if the red half of Manchester will be very busy during January, as Amorim’s men hunt down some improvements all across the pitch.

A clear priority, when looking at the rampant rumours coming to the surface, is United’s desire for a new central midfield talent, with both Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson incessantly linked to the Theatre of Dreams.

Away from bolstering their personnel in the middle of the park, United also look to be on the prowl for some fresh winger additions, with a spectacular swap deal perhaps in the offing.

As per Football Insider, Paris Saint-Germain are keen on picking up Marcus Rashford in the summer as his Old Trafford future hangs in the balance. To smooth out a potential deal, the French giants could offer Bradley Barcola to the Red Devils who has shone in spurts at the Parc des Princes as a promising attacking talent.

The faltering Premier League side could have to wait it out until the summer for this swap deal to come into play, but it might well be a deal still worth persisting with, as Amorim potentially wins himself his next Amad Diallo in the blistering Frenchman.

How Barcola can be Amorim's next Amad

Amad hasn’t always found his stay at Old Trafford to be smooth sailing.

Under Erik ten Hag, the tricky Ivorian only managed to muster up a paltry three goals and two assists from a limited 24 appearances.

Amorim

41

9

11

Ten Hag

24

3

2

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

8

1

1

Ruud Van Nistelrooy

4

2

1

Ralf Rangnick

1

0

0

Transition to the here and now, however, and the 23-year-old is very much a consistent first-team presence under his hot-and-cold Portuguese manager, with an impressive haul of nine goals and 11 assists next to his name under Amorim’s reign, seeing him be described as an “explosive” threat by analyst Statman Dave.

Barcola would aim to reach these same heights under Amorim’s guidance if he were to swap Paris for Manchester shortly, having also been noted as being an eye-catching winger at the peak of his powers, with “devastating pace” to burn, as per U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Thankfully, the 18-time France international also has some lethal end product to back up all his entertaining tricks and flicks, much like Amad, with Barcola up to 31 goals and 33 assists in total now for his current employers.

Last season saw the 23-year-old put away a stunning 40-goal contributions in all competitions, with United praying that Barcola’s possible entry on the scene can take them to that next level, away from folding at the hands of Everton, as the left winger’s stunning exploits have even seen Luis Enrique’s men lift the Champions League trophy.

Off the back of helping his team clinch this unbelievable honour in Europe’s elite competition, Barcola had certainly lived up to his hype as “one of the best left wingers in Europe” which was handed to him by Como scout Ben Mattinson. The Premier League would be the next big test, though, for the slick number 29.

Looking at what Amad has managed to achieve under Amorim on the flanks, Barcola should be able to enter into a new daunting division and succeed.

It certainly won’t be a cheap deal to pull off, with a whopping £87m price tag previously touted, when Barcola was on Arsenal’s reported shopping list.

But if United want to make their attack even more of a mouth-watering prospect – away from already possessing Amad and the likes of Bryan Mbeumo – sealing a statement move for Barcola could be a phenomenal next step.

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Chelsea have opened talks with the representatives of a big-name player after their triumph over Barcelona in the Champions League, according to a fresh update on Wednesday morning.

Chelsea seal statement win over Barcelona on dream European night

Enzo Maresca’s side put in a scintillating performance at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, dismantling Barça 3-0 in a European encounter that underlined their credentials as genuine contenders for silverware this season.

Chelsea dominated from start to finish, displaying an intensity and quality that left the five-time European champions thoroughly outclassed.

The Blues flew out of the blocks with relentless energy, pressing Barcelona high and refusing to allow the Spanish side any time on the ball. Their attacking intent was evident throughout a pulsating first half that saw Chelsea create numerous opportunities, though they endured frustration as two goals were chalked off for offside and handball before finally breaking through.

The first goal arrived when Marc Cucurella’s dangerous cross deflected off Jules Koundé, giving Chelsea a deserved advantage after 27 minutes of intense pressure.

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It got from bad to worse for Barça, with captain Ronald Araujo receiving a second yellow card for his reckless challenge on Cucurella near the touchline. The sending-off proved catastrophic for Hansi Flick’s side, allowing Chelsea to seize complete control after the restart.

The second half belonged to 18-year-old sensation Estevao, who produced a moment of individual brilliance that will be remembered for years in west London.

Collecting the ball wide on the right, the Brazilian winger embarked on a mesmeric dribble, gliding past Pau Cubarsí before cutting across Alejandro Balde and unleashing an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net. The stunning strike showcased his exceptional technical ability and composure, stealing the show in a much-anticipated head-to-head with Barcelona’s own teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal.

Liam Delap then rounded off a superb Chelsea display with his first Champions League goal for the club after initially seeing it chalked off, with Cucurella getting a lot of plaudits too for his exceptional display against Yamal.

Minutes

93′

Expected Assists

0.59

Tackles (Won)

5 (4)

Interceptions

1

Clearances

2

Blocked Shots

1

Recoveries

4

Aerial Duels (Won)

1 (1)

Key Passes

1

Passes

55/63

Touches

97

It was a statement win for Chelsea, who now go into their mouth-watering Premier League tie against Arsenal this weekend in very high spirits.

Now, according to Sky Switzerland reporter Sacha Tavolieri, supporters could have more reason to get excited.

Chelsea reopen talks with Mike Maignan who's "very keen" to join

AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan has long been a target for Chelsea amid their hunt for an elite-level keeper, with his contract expiring at the end of this season and potentially up for grabs at zero cost.

As per Tavolieri, Chelsea have reignited negotiations with Maignan and his camp, as the French international edges closer to departing the San Siro.

BlueCo are seizing on a developing contract standoff that could see the 30-year-old leave Italy as a free agent next summer, with Maignan reportedly informing Milan that he will not sign a new deal despite the club offering improved terms that would double his current salary.

The France number one can begin formal discussions with foreign clubs from January onwards, positioning Chelsea favourably in the race for his signature.

Maresca apparently views the experienced shot-stopper as a potential solution to Chelsea’s ongoing goalkeeping concerns. While Robert Sanchez has featured regularly this season, Filip Jorgensen could leave in January, and neither have fully convinced Chelsea’s manager.

Maignan is also “very keen” on the idea of joining them, so this could be one to watch closely as we fast approach the winter window.

The former Lille star is widely regarded as one of Europe’s top shot-stoppers, with Liverpool’s Alisson describing him as a world-class keeper at a truly elite level.

Currently, it feels like Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract last year and sign for Real Madrid has benefitted nobody.

The Spanish giants have yet to find a starring role for the right-back in Xabi Alonso’s system; Trent is out in the cold vis-à-vis Thomas Tuchel’s England; Liverpool keenly miss their starboy’s creativity and flair.

All of this is premature. Much can change, and it has only been three months since the 2025/26 campaign kicked off. But Arne Slot’s Liverpool are lacking ideas at the moment; and just as importantly, they cannot find the answers to their opponents’ tactics.

Slot sought to reorient Liverpool’s creative focus to a more typical area, working with Anfield sporting director Richard Hughes to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for what stood as a record-breaking £116m fee for a few months.

Now, Liverpool are looking into new attacking midfielders to rival Wirtz for a place in the Reds’ starting line-up.

Why Liverpool are looking to sign Wirtz rival

Liverpool have landed a generational talent in Wirtz. The 22-year-old proved across years of age-defying quality in his homeland that he is destined for greatness.

However, we cannot deny it’s been a rocky road since the start of the season.

Wirtz is yet to register a goal involvement in the Premier League and he has not scored in any competition. However, his struggles stand against the backdrop of Liverpool’s wider issues this season. Slot’s side are worryingly imbalanced and sapped of confidence, having lost five of their past six top-flight fixtures.

But Wirtz has demonstrated his skill for Germany during the current international break, with analyst Raj Chohan saying his “creative passing has been insane”.

Minutes played

90′

77′

Goals

0

0

Assists

0

2

Shots (on target)

4 (2)

2 (0)

Accurate passes

46/56 (82%)

72/77 (94%)

Chances created

1

6

Crosses

0/5

2/5

Dribbles

5/6

1/3

Recoveries

5

9

Ground duels

8/10

3/5

But, with Harvey Elliott struggling out on loan with Aston Villa and bound to depart for good in the near future, Liverpool have lined up 19-year-old midfielder Kees Smit as a potential rival for Wirtz in Slot’s system.

According to Soccer News, the AZ Alkmaar talent is emerging as a serious candidate for a transfer to Liverpool, and FSG are further drawn to the player after Slot’s personal advocacy, having worked with the young prospect during his stint with AZ back in 2019/20.

The teenager is valued at around £22.5m, and Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the circling sharks.

What Kees Smit would offer Liverpool

Smit is young and inexperienced, but the word on the Dutch streets is that he is one of the nation’s most exciting up-and-comers. Indeed, analyst Ben Mattinson has acknowledged Smit for his “superstar potential”, not just naturally gifted but intelligent, industrious and strong in defensive phases.

The Netherlands U21 star has made 50 senior showings already, scoring four goals and supplying six assists. Increasingly important in the Eredivisie, he’s started all 11 matches this term, notching two goals and two assists apiece while completing 88% of his passes, creating two chances on average each game and recovering six balls a match.

He’s so energetic, mobile and athletic while bearing the shrewdness to apply himself in the correct phases, never over-exerting. This is a rare trait for one so young, and emphasises the midfielder’s potential for success in the Premier League.

As per FBref, Smit ranks among the top 14% of midfielders in the Dutch top flight this season for pass completion and successful take-ons, and the top 8% for shot-creating actions per 90.

Should Wirtz be worried for his starting berth? While all of the above is true, stepping into the harsh English footballing climate is no easy task. Wirtz would testify for that argument.

But Smit is less of an out-and-out attacking midfielder than his older counterpart, and in this, he could be a glove-tight tactical fit under Slot’s management, instilling more creativity while adding to the steel and compactability of the engine room.

His more balanced approach differs from Wirtz’s own. The new Merseyside recruit has faced criticism for a perceived lack of physicality in the Premier League. Some pointed fingers regarding this matter have been unfair, but there’s no question that Wirtz needs to be more active in the duel, more combative when pitted against defenders.

The aforementioned Mattinson has singled Smit out as a “duel monster”, further underlining his potential in Slot’s Liverpool set-up.

The Reds have options in midfield, and they have creative players too. But it doesn’t take someone with Slot’s football-tuned mind to conclude that something isn’t working for the Premier League champions, who need to find a way out of this present rut, else a concerning start will devolve into a disastrous campaign with far-reaching ramifications.

If Liverpool succeed in sealing Smit’s signature this winter, there’s every chance that the perfect dimension would be added to ease the offensive issues at the club.

Who knows, perhaps the competition would help Wirtz grow into his Liverpool skin and begin to show that ability that was promised when Liverpool spent a staggering sum on bringing him over from Germany.

But if not, Smit has the potential to stand proud as one of the world’s best, and this could give Liverpool’s German maverick cause for concern.

Forget Ngumoha: 19-year-old star is Liverpool's new Luis Diaz in the making

Liverpool could now be brewing their next Luis Diaz in this rising 19-year-old star.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 18, 2025

Liverpool are now reportedly ready to spend over £100m to sign Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh in an attempt to solve one of Arne Slot’s glaring problems.

Winless in four Premier League games, Liverpool’s title defence has turned into an unexpected nightmare. Slot’s side have looked out on their feet even when clawing victories at the start of the campaign. For the first time in the Dutchman’s time at Anfield, he is under increasing pressure.

Defeat at Brentford was particularly damning. The Red were bullied in West London and a squad built on a £400m+ spending spree were silenced by some old faces in a stark reminder that money doesn’t always equal success.

Alas, what should concern those at Anfield the most is Slot’s recent admission that he’s yet to find a solution to the physical style that sides are implementing against Liverpool. In the era of Premier League football, the champions have simply been unable to compete, with Arsenal epitomising the change taking place in England’s top flight.

Former Anfield star Jamie Carragher recently echoed those struggles, saying: “Losing four games in a row for Brentford would be a disaster. To see the champions do it with the expenditure in the summer means we’re in crisis time for Liverpool right now.

“There will be a lot of serious questions asked in the dressing room between the players and the coaching staff and the people above the manager. When they’ve looked at what they’ve spent, they’ll be looking for a lot more.”

The solution may not even come internally for Liverpool either, who are ready to break the bank for Minteh in an attempt to at least fix one problem.

Why Liverpool are ready to break the bank for Minteh

According to FootAfrica, Liverpool are now ready to spend over £100m to sign Minteh from Brighton in 2026. The winger has enjoyed an impressive season so far and with the Reds looking to inject the directness that they lost when selling Luis Diaz in the summer, he has emerged as an ideal option.

Minutes

770

680

803

Goals

1

5

3

Assists

2

4

2

Successful take-ons

23

36

2

Although the goals are yet to come for Minteh, his take-on success is something to take note of when compared to Salah. The Egyptian, in one of his worst starts to a Liverpool season, has completed just two take-ons. Minteh, meanwhile, is already on 23 and still isn’t close to Diaz’s 36 for Bayern Munich.

Simply put, the Reds have not replaced Diaz’s direct ability with the ball which progresses play and maintains possession. Take that away and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ability to progress play with his passing range and Liverpool’s struggles begin to make sense.

The new Thiago: Liverpool "superstar" is becoming a "huge disappointment"

This Liverpool mainstay has flattered to deceive this season.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Oct 29, 2025

Described as “exciting” by scout Jacek Kulig, Minteh represents the type of player that Michael Edwards built his reputation on signing and should do so once again in 2026.

How Arne Slot has already replaced Salah