شوهد أحد لاعبي فريق ريال مدريد وهو يسخر من بيدري، نجم فريق برشلونة، بشكل ملحوظ في مباراة الكلاسيكو أمس في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم، موسم 2025/26.
واستضاف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة الكلاسيكو بين فريقي ريال مدريد وبرشلونة، في قمة منافسات الجولة العاشرة من الدوري الإسباني، حيث خسر حامل اللقب بهدفين مقابل هدف.
وشهدت المباراة العديد من المناوشات والمشادات والاشتباكات بين لاعبي الفريقين، خاصة في اللحظات الأخيرة من عمر الكلاسيكو، بخلاف ما حدث بعد اللقاء حيث ازدادت الأمور سخونة.
وذكرت شبكة “موفيستار” الإسبانية أن جود بيلينجهام سخر من بيدري، لاعب برشلونة، خلال أحداث الكلاسيكو، مستغلًا قضية نيجريرا الشهيرة.
وسقط بيدري على أرض الملعب بعد تدخل من جود بيلينجهام، وظهر الإسباني متأثرًا وهو جالس، وطالب بطرد لاعب ريال مدريد، وهو ما جعل الأخير يسخر منه بقوة.
اقرأ أيضًا | ضربة موجعة.. المباريات التي سيغيبها كارفاخال عن ريال مدريد للإصابة
ولوحظ بيلينجهام وهو يتوجه إلى بيدري ويضع يده فوق رأسه في استهزاء، قبل أن يتدخل كيليان مبابي ويضحك من مطالبة لاعب برشلونة بضربة الجزاء.
وعندما سمع بيلينجهام برغبة بيدري في طرده لتدخله ضده، ضحك مستهزئًا، بجوار الحكم، وقال: “ليس حتى مع نيجريرا”، وكررها ضاحكًا من مرة.
Jude Bellingham: “Ni con Negreira”
🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/q8w8xWomuH — (fan) gam (@mbaafraude) October 27, 2025
ويُعد برشلونة متورطًا في قضية فساد شهيرة، حيث وجهت له الاتهامات بدفع مبالغ مالية كرشاوي لـ خوسيه ماريا نيجريرا، نائب الرئيس السابق للجنة الفنية للحكام، في الفترة بين 2000 و2018.
Aston Villa’s growth under Unai Emery has been one of the Premier League’s standout stories of recent times.
The Spaniard has not only restored European football to Villa Park but also instilled a new sense of ambition.
Yet, Emery and the club’s hierarchy recognise that their squad is still evolving.
This summer has already tested Villa’s ability to balance growth with financial sustainability.
The departure of academy graduate Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle was a painful reality check under PSR rules, while the arrival of striker Evann Guessand from Nice provided depth but not necessarily a guaranteed game-changer.
Adding further quality up front remains a clear priority. Ollie Watkins, who hit 16 league goals last season, is attracting outside interest, but Emery has been unequivocal that his talisman is not for sale.
The challenge now is to find someone who can complement Watkins – offering competition, cover, and potentially a successor if he does move on.
In that search, Villa appear to have identified a striker who not only carries enormous potential but also evokes memories of two very different forwards who left their mark in claret and blue: Jhon Durán and Christian Benteke.
Villa make Nicolas Jackson their top target
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Aston Villa are pushing hard to land Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, making him Emery’s top attacking target.
Chelsea’s initial valuation of £80m has softened, with Ed Aarons of the Guardian suggesting the Blues are now prepared to accept a fee closer to £65m.
That figure still represents a major investment for Villa, but Emery’s belief in the player appears firm.
The two share history from Villarreal, where Jackson was first introduced to senior football, and their relationship is understood to be strong.
Talks are ongoing over the structure of the deal.
Chelsea’s willingness to negotiate is partly shaped by squad dynamics: Jackson, despite scoring 24 goals and supplying 10 assists in 65 Premier League matches, per Transfermarkt, has slipped down the pecking order behind new arrivals Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
Villa, however, see untapped potential, but the competition is fierce.
Newcastle, still searching for Alexander Isak’s replacement, and Bayern Munich, searching for a reliable deputy to Harry Kane, are both interested.
For Villa’s recruitment staff, Jackson’s profile is exactly what they have sought: a player who has proven he can deliver in the Premier League but who remains young enough to develop further.
What Nicolas Jackson could bring to Aston Villa
The comparisons with Aston Villa strikers of the past decade tell their own story.
Nicolas Jackson is viewed as a bridge between the youthful rawness of Jhon Durán and the physical dominance once provided by Christian Benteke.
Duran’s time at Villa was brief but explosive.
Just 21 when he left for Al Nassr in a £70m deal in January, the Colombian forward had already scored seven goals in 20 Premier League appearances, per Transfermarkt.
Fans loved his unpredictability: thunderous strikes from distance, fearless runs, and a relentless willingness to shoot.
Jhon Duran
Yet he was still unpolished.
According to FBref, his progressive carries were relatively low (0.99 per 90 compared to Jackson’s 1.90), and his passing accuracy (70.6%) suggested areas for development.
Jackson, at 24, feels like the next step on from Duran.
His numbers highlight a more rounded attacker: 3.08 shots per 90, 2.80 shot-creating actions, and a pass completion rate of nearly 76%. He can still be erratic – disciplinary lapses are proof of that – but he has already combined raw energy with improved efficiency.
In many ways, he offers the qualities Villa wanted from Duran but with the added benefit of two seasons’ experience at Chelsea.
The other reference point is Christian Benteke, whose three-year spell at Villa Park between 2012 and 2015 remains fond in the memory.
Signed for less than £7m from Genk, Benteke bulldozed his way to 49 goals in 101 appearances.
He was Villa’s battering ram: a centre-forward who thrived on crosses, bullied defenders in the air, and carried the team in difficult moments.
Jackson is not a like-for-like Benteke successor.
He does not rely on aerial dominance to the same extent, nor is he tasked with leading a one-dimensional attack as Benteke once was under Paul Lambert. But the essence is there.
At 1.87m, Jackson has the frame to occupy defenders physically, and his 79th percentile ranking for touches in the attacking penalty area (5.72 per 90) shows his knack for positioning himself in dangerous spaces.
Like Benteke in 2012, he is not yet the finished article but has the platform to become a talisman.
What unites Duran, Benteke, and now Jackson is the idea of potential. Duran was raw and thrilling but left too soon. Benteke arrived as an unknown and blossomed into a Premier League goalscorer. Jackson sits between the two: already proven at a high level, but still with room to grow into a player who can define an era at Villa Park.
The financial risk is clear. £65m is a significant outlay for a club already trimming costs elsewhere, and Jackson’s red cards raise questions about temperament.
Chelsea'sNicolasJacksonlooks dejected after AFC Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert score
But Villa know what is at stake.
To cement themselves among the Premier League’s elite, they cannot afford to stand still. And if Jackson fulfils even part of the trajectory Benteke once set, the investment will feel justified.
As scouting analyst Jacek Kulig described, Jackson is an “extraordinary” talent. For Emery, that talent represents more than just goals. It represents continuity – from Duran’s brief spark to Benteke’s dominant reign – and a forward line that can carry Villa into their next chapter.
تحدث المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول، آرني سلوت، عن النجم المصري محمد صلاح، بعد خوضه مباراة اليوم ضد خصمه مانشستر يونايتد، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
واستضاف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد في الجولة الثامنة من الدوري الإنجليزي، موسم 2025/26.
وتعرض ليفربول للهزيمة بهدفين لهدف في مباراة شارك بها النجم محمد صلاح كأساسي قبل استبداله في الدقيقة 85.
اقرأ أيضًا.. تروي ديني: لاعب ليفربول السبب وراء عدم إلغاء هدف مانشستر يونايتد الأول
وقال سلوت، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية فيما يتعلق باستبدال المصري: “أعتقد أنه من الطبيعي بعد مباريات كهذه أن يركز الناس على اللاعبين كأفراد، سبق وأن كان التركيز على التعاقدات بعدما خضنا 4/5 مباريات، والآن سنركز عليه (محمد صلاح)، ولكن لا أعتقد أن الوقت مناسب للحديث عن الأداء الفردي”.
وأضاف: “لدينا تغييرات كافية للفوز بالمباراة، أضاع محمد صلاح فرصة كبيرة، وأضاع آخرون فرصًا كبيرة، نحن لسنا معتادين على ذلك مع محمد صلاح”.
واسترسل في تصريحات أخرى نشرها موقع ليفربول: “كفريق نتوقع أكثر مما نحن عليه في الوقت الحالي، وكفريق لا أعتقد أننا معتادون على مثل هذ الأداء من ليفربول، خاصةً طالما أنا هنا، ولا أعتقد أن الأمر كان مختلفًا عندما كان كلوب هنا”.
واستكمل: “كما قلت، كانت لدى مو فرصة جيدة اليوم، وكذلك جاكبو، كانت لديه 4 أو 5 تسديدات ربما، كان إيكتيكي أيضًا قريبًا من التسجيل في بعض الأحيان، وإيزاك انفرد بالحارس في الشوط الأول، كانت لدينا 10 ركلات ركنية، هم لديهم 4 فقط، لم نسجل وهم سجلوا”.
وأفاد: “الكرات الثابتة جزء أساسي في كرة القدم، نحن الفريق الذي يبدع أكثر في اللعب المفتوح، ولكن تلك ليست هي الطريقة الوحيدة من أجل الفوز في المباريات، هذا ما أظهره يونايتد اليوم، وكذلك الفرق الأخرى ذلك الأسبوع”.
A £20m Arsenal player who Mikel Arteta called “exceptional” now “wants to leave”, and a move across Europe is “very likely”.
Arteta praises his side after victory at Old Trafford
The fixture list handed the Gunners a tricky start to the 2025-26 campaign, as travelling to Old Trafford is always a daunting task, but Arteta’s side got the job done courtesy of a first-half header from Riccardo Calafiori, and the manager was pleased with the performance.
The Spaniard was particularly impressed with his side’s “phenomenal” display from a defensive standpoint, while he also praised the way in which they were able to handle the occasion, given the raucous atmosphere at Old Trafford.
William Saliba and Gabriel were, of course, at the heart of the defence, as the centre-back duo usually are if they are both fit, which means the north Londoners’ back-up options only receive limited game time.
That may not be too much of an issue for younger players, such as new signing Cristhian Mosquera, but defenders in the prime of their career are unlikely to want to play second fiddle.
As such, there is a feeling that Jakub Kiwior could now be heading for the exit door this summer, with Włodarczyk recently taking to X to reveal the Polish defender “wants to leave”, amid interest from FC Porto.
In fact, a move to the Liga Portugal club is deemed “very likely”, as they “haven’t given up”, after submitting an official offer back in July.
The 25-year-old, who joined the Gunners for £20m back in 2023, was left out of the squad that travelled to Old Trafford, and talks over an exit are currently “ongoing”.
Losing "exceptional" Kiwior could be blow for Arteta
Given that Saliba and Gabriel are almost nailed on to start in the Premier League if they are available, it is always going to be a difficult task for the Poland international to force his way into the side, but he has impressed when given the opportunity.
Indeed, with Gabriel sidelined due to injury, the former Spezia man was given the nod against Paris Saint-Germain the Champions League semi-final last season, and he certainly caught Arteta’s eye with his performance.
The Arsenal boss said: “He deserves a lot of credit because he hasn’t played too much throughout many months, and suddenly he’s been thrown into the most difficult context, at the highest level, playing against the best opponents, when you haven’t had the physical rhythm or the confidence to do it, and I think he’s been exceptional.”
Dependable back-up options are hard to come by, so it would be disappointing to lose Kiwior this summer, although not the end of the world, given Mosquera’s arrival.
Sunderland have finally concluded a deal for Granit Xhaka, but they are far from done this summer with notable additions.
Up next, it looks as if Robin Roefs will join the building from NEC Nijmegen as the Black Cats’ brand new goalkeeper for the Premier League, having kept a promising ten clean sheets in Eredivisie action last season.
From that point on, it’s anybody’s guess as to who will be following the Dutchman in through the door, as the rumour mill continues to be active on Wearside.
Sunderland agree deal to sign new striker
Regis Le Bris and Co could well be diving straight back into the options at their disposal at Bayer Leverkusen, with Amine Adli a name that keeps popping up from the German giants.
Reports suggest that the Black Cats, West Ham United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers are all locked into a race to try and snap up the Moroccan winger, who is valued around the £26m price range.
Bayer Leverkusen forward Amine Adli.
Elsewhere, meanwhile, it was reported by Sky Sports’ Keith Downie that Sunderland had opened talks to snap up Chelsea hotshot Marc Guiu on a loan deal, having approached the 19-year-old who has previously been linked with Leeds United.
Fabrizio Romano has since followed that up by revealing that a deal has been agreed for the youngster, with Guiu set to join on a temporary move, with no option to buy for the Black Cats.
The Spanish teenager is yet to get up and running in the Premier League with the Blues, but it’s clear that he is seen as a gem for the future, with Danny Welbeck once viewed in the same light when he arrived to the Stadium of Light in 2010, only then to get his top-flight career off the ground on Wearside.
Why Guiu could be Sunderland's new Welbeck
Heading into his formative stint with the Black Cats, Welbeck only had three senior strikes to shout about, having been previously loaned out to Preston North End in the Championship away from parent side Manchester United.
Guiu can boast double that amount for Enzo Maresca’s men already, but it’s clear that he needs more consistent minutes in the top-flight, away from wreaking havoc in the much-maligned Conference League.
Sunderland could now be willing to give him that opportunity, much like when they extended their hand out to a far more raw Welbeck 15 years ago.
The now well-established 34-year-old would first make a name for himself donning Sunderland red and white, with the ex-Black Cats number 17 even getting in on the goalscoring act during his solitary season with the club, when downing Chelsea 3-0 in a surprise away win.
In total, Welbeck would bag a promising six strikes from 26 games before then going on to become a first-teamer at Old Trafford, with the Premier League veteran now up to 77 goals in the testing division when featuring for the likes of Arsenal, Watford, and Brighton and Hove Albion, away from the Red Devils and the Stadium of Light.
Welbeck’s heroics for Sunderland would help them to secure a comfortable tenth-place finish in the final top-flight standings, with Guiu hopeful he can be that same spark that makes survival a breeze, having already made quite an impression on the Stamford Bridge masses from limited starts.
Indeed, despite making just four starts overall for Maresca’s side, the ex-Barcelona youth product has a blistering six strikes next to his name, leading to Guiu being dubbed a “nightmare” to come up against by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Further showing off his ice-cold finishing ability on the international stage with Spain when powering home 11 goals for the U17s and U19s, on top of even having two senior Barca strikes next to his name, it’s no shock that one of his former youth coaches, Jose Lana, has stated that Guiu can “score goals from nowhere.”
It might be a tall order for Guiu to instantly break into the first-team fold, however.
Chelsea's Marc Guiu celebrates
But when he is unleashed into the action, the 19-year-old will surely be eager to make an impact, knowing full well that an electric loan stint on Wearside could finally kickstart his Premier League journey in style.
Bigger talent than Adingra: Sunderland race to sign "outstanding" £26m star
Sunderland could be about to win themselves a bigger talent than Simon Adingra by signing this £26m ace.
The new captain lauded his team’s brave approach and how they made the early running in both Tests
Deivarayan Muthu26-Oct-20241:51
How did Santner succeed when Jadeja struggled?
Before 2024, New Zealand visited India 12 times across 69 years from 1955 to play Test cricket, but they had never managed to win a series. On Saturday, in his first stint as full-time New Zealand captain, Tom Latham did an Edmund Hillary, leading New Zealand to their first-ever Test series win in India.Latham was part of the New Zealand team that won the inaugural World Test Championship after beating India in the final in Southampton in 2021. But beating India is a different challenge altogether and arguably the toughest challenge in world cricket right now. Latham was overwhelmed with emotion when he was asked to explain what the triumph in India meant to him, his team, and the New Zealand public.Related
Changing of the guard: Pune 2024 a window into New Zealand's future
Santner takes 13 to hand India their first home Test series defeat since 2012
'I don't want to do too much of a post-mortem' – Rohit after loss in Pune
Side soreness no barrier for 13-wicket Santner
“I’m sort of lost for words,” Latham said. “It’s obviously an immensely proud moment for this group. I think coming off the back of a Sri Lankan series where we didn’t get the results that we wanted to come here and play the style of cricket that we played. We’re obviously immensely proud to be in the position of winning two Test matches here. A lot of New Zealand teams have come here over the past… I guess to be the first team to win a series over here is immensely special and, yeah, very proud of this group.”So what did Latham’s New Zealand do better than the other New Zealand teams of the past and this current India team?”I think we’ve been on the right side of a couple of tosses,” Latham said. “That obviously played a big part I think, especially in Bangalore. Just as I said, I think we’ve come here, and we’ve wanted to fire a shot. We’ve wanted to be the one that puts India under pressure, what that may look like from a batting point of view or a bowling point of view. I certainly think we’ve done that. I think the way we played in this game with the bat was really important. I think it was a wicket where time wasn’t necessarily an issue, it was runs.”Mitchell Santner was the hero with the ball•AFP/Getty ImagesIt’s incredibly rare for any overseas team to out-bat and out-bowl India in a Test match. This New Zealand team has managed to do that twice in contrasting conditions in Bengaluru and Pune.New Zealand’s bowlers had thrown the first punch in Benglauru in seaming conditions, where they skittled India for 46. New Zealand’s batters then threw the first punch in Pune on a turner, where they countered R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar with a variety of sweeps, including the reverse. Latham was pleased with his players buying into the attack-first approach.”We’ve come here, and we’ve wanted to compete, and we’ve wanted to fire a shot first up,” Latham said. “I certainly think we’ve done that in both games. Obviously with the ball in the first game but also with the bat here. Being able to put first innings runs on the board has been really important. Obviously the bowlers went to work over the last couple of days which has been very pleasing to see.”
In 47 innings prior to the Pune Test, Mitch Santner didn't have even a Test four-for to his name.
Now he has two five-fors, in one of New Zealand's greatest wins https://t.co/GUexHh5oRN | #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/vfE5MkDs3N
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 26, 2024
Latham hailed Mitchell Santner for wheeling away for 29 overs on the trot in the final innings despite a sore side. The left-arm fingerspinner came away with six wickets during that marathon spell and almost single-handedly spun New Zealand to victory. He finished with match figures of 13 for 157 – the third-best by any visiting bowler in India.”He did a fantastic job,” Latham said of Santner. “I think obviously the wickets that he got… But I think what will go unnoticed is the amount of overs he bowled back-to-back. I think Will [O’Rourke] bowled one over with the new ball from that end and Mitch bowled the rest. Someone like that to come and bowl that amount of overs, to keep in a threat for that amount of time.”I keep trying to take him off, but he keeps taking a wicket. So, I said ‘you can keep going’. Look, I can’t praise him enough in terms of what he’s done this game. He was simply fantastic.”
With the summer transfer window in full flow, Aston Villa have made just one signing so far – Yasin Ozcan.
The Turkish youngster might not be the most exciting of signings, but aged 19, he is certainly one for the future.
With Unai Emery keen on ending the club’s near 30-year wait for a major trophy next season, bringing in several high-profile players is a priority.
Players such as John McGinn and Morgan Rogers helped the club secure a place in the Europa League next season. Could Emery potentially sign someone who is a hybrid of the two this summer?
Aston Villa transfer news
Villa have been linked with their fair share of attacking players this summer. Indeed, the likes of Jack Grealish, Nicolas Jackson and even Malick Fofana have been targeted by Emery.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Much will depend on the funds Villa have to spend, especially as they seek to comply with Profit and Sustainability regulations throughout the summer.
According to reports in Brazil, however, the club have made contact regarding a move for Porto winger Pepe, with it said they have opened talks for the 28-year-old.
The Portuguese giants are willing to sell him this summer in order to sign other targets, and a price tag of €25m (£21m) has been set. A more than affordable figure by Emery’s standards.
Both McGinn and Rogers enjoyed plenty of success last season and by signing Pepe in the coming weeks, Villa could be landing a player who is similar to both.
Why Aston Villa must sign Pepe
Last season, McGinn registered ten goal contributions for Villa, while Rogers recorded 29 goal involvements in all competitions for the club.
This highlights how vital the pair were. Both players excel at dribbling and playing through balls during matches, supporting Ollie Watkins incredibly well.
With McGinn staring on the left at times, with Rogers operating in a more central role, will Emery manage to sign a player like them for the right flank ahead of next season?
Pepe certainly fits the mould. According to FBref, Rogers is the ninth-most comparable player to the Porto winger, while McGinn is the seventh-most comparable when taking into account their statistics from the Champions League last term.
In this competition, he ranked in the top 16% for assists per 90 (0.31), while also ranking in the top 14% for tackles (1.86) per 90.
Goals
3
Assists
2
Big chances created
5
Key passes per game
1
Successful dribbles per game
0.6
Shots per game
1
In comparison, McGinn recorded 0.25 assists and made 1.23 tackles per 90, while Rogers registered 0.18 assists and 0.79 tackles per 90 in the Champions League.
It is more the manner in which all three tend to have similar playing styles which could make a move for the winger an important one.
South American football expert Tim Vickery hailed the wideman a couple of years ago, saying: “I certainly remember him as a winger with Gremio, little mosquito kind of winger, who can do either flank.”
Porto's Pepe scores at the Club World Cup against Al-Ahly.
For the sort of fee Porto are demanding, bringing Pepe to the Midlands might be an interesting piece of business indeed.
An eye for goal while being able to create chances indicates that he could shine alongside players such as McGinn and Rogers next season.
Rashford upgrade: Monchi looking to sign £68m "superstar" for Aston Villa
With Marcus Rashford seemingly unlikely to be returning to Aston Villa next season, has Unai Emery identified a “phenomenal” star as an alternative?
Will Chelsea make any more signings before the Club World Cup transfer window closes on 10 June?
On Wednesday, the Blues unveiled Liam Delap, who has arrived from Ipswich Town, after Chelsea activated his £30m release clause.
Now, the West London side have until Tuesday to make any more new signings if they’re to feature at the newly revamped Club World Cup, with the Blues’ tournament opener against Los Angeles FC taking place in Atlanta on Monday 16 June.
So, by the time that fixture comes around at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, could the Chelsea supporters in attendance have another big-money signing to admire?
Chelsea looking to sign Sancho replacement
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Chelsea will not sign Jadon Sancho from Manchester United permanently, choosing to, as outlined by Nizaar Kinsella of BBC Sport, pay a £5m penalty fee, rather than exercising a £25m obligation to buy.
Sancho scored just five goals in 42 appearances for the Blues this season, most memorably bagging a stunning curler against Real Betis in the recent Conference League Final in Wrocław.
The England international took to Instagram to thank his Chelsea “teammates, staff and the fans”, going to say that he was “grateful for the experience” so, while his own personal future is now uncertain, the Blues are searching for an upgrade.
Well, according to a report by Kaveh Solhekol for Sky Sports, Chelsea have been ‘offered the chance to sign’ Mohammed Kudus, who they claim has an £85m release clause in his contract at West Ham United.
It’s reported that Chelsea have not said ‘no’ and are weighing up whether to add him to their list of options this summer. A further report from BBC Sport notes that discussions between the Hammers and Chelsea have already taken place.
The winger currently has an £85m release clause for Premier League clubs and a £120m exit clause for Saudi clubs which could complicate matters.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Ghanaian arrived in East London from Ajax for £38m two summers ago, making 80 appearances for the Hammers to date, scoring 19 goals and registering 13 assists.
Mohammed Kudus celebrates for West Ham
So, with the Blues on the lookout for a winger, could a move across the capital be on the cards for Kudus?
Why Mohammed Kudus is a Jadon Sancho upgrade
Kudus’ performances at West Ham have earnt widespread praise, with teammate Aaron Cresswell labeling him a “top talent”, adding that he’s “so strong, so quick and so sharp”, while George Addo Jr of BBC Sport is in awe of his “magic feet”.
Meantime, Patrick Boyland of the Athletic outlines how Kudus is ‘versatile’, capable of playing on either flank or centrally, describing him as a ‘prolific and effective dribbler’.
Adam Scully of Total Football Analysis agrees with this, stating that, ‘undoubtedly’, the Ghanaian’s best attribute is his ‘excellent’ dribbling ability, while Ben Mattinson of Breaking the Lines believes he has ‘world-class potential’.
On that evidence, he’d certainly be a great replacement for Sancho, another versatile forward player. The following statistics certainly support these assertions too.
Attempted take-ons
208
1st
Successful take-ons
92
2nd
Given how dismal West Ham were throughout this season, winning just 11 matches and finishing 15th, it is certainly very impressive that Kudus managed to attempt the most take-ons, second only to Jérémy Doku for successful take-ons too.
Nevertheless, the question still remains: would he be an upgrade on Sancho?
Statistics
Kudus
Sancho
Appearances
32
31
Minutes
2,603
1,765
Goals
5
3
Assists
3
5
Note: All statistics below are on a per-90 basis.
Shots
2.61
1.22
Shot-creating actions
3.72
3.57
Attempted take-ons
7.22
4.95
Successful take-ons
3.19
2.30
Progressive carries
3.40
5.20
Touches
52.2
53.7
As the table outlines, Kudus’ statistics are broadly more impressive than those of Sancho, despite the fact the Ghanian endured an underwhelming season in a very uninspiring West Ham side.
While not quite on the same level for progressive carries, more of his take-ons are actually successful and he’s a constant threat, taking more shots.
Mohammed Kudus for West Ham
As already established, Kudus is a top-class dribbler, so now he just needs the output in front of goal to match, and a move to a better team could be exactly what he needs to take his game to the next level.
Chelsea push to sign second ex-Man City gem after Delap amid £20m discount
The Blues could add to their ex-City contingent again.
Chelsea were one of the clubs that were reportedly interested in a deal to sign Spain international Dean Huijsen from Premier League rivals Bournemouth in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Blues have missed out on a swoop for the central defender, though, as Real Madrid have officially signed him from the Cherries for £50m, which was the value of his release clause.
Not all is lost for the Premier League giants, however, as they are reportedly eyeing up a swoop for an alternative to the soon-to-be Real Madrid star.
Chelsea eyeing deal for Dean Huijsen alternative
According to a report from Spain, Huijsen was the main target for Chelsea in the centre-back position, but they are now lining up a swoop for Lazio titan Mario Gila.
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The outlet claims that the former Real Madrid academy graduate is emerging as the priority target for the Blues after they missed out on the Bournemouth star to the Spanish giants.
It reveals that Lazio are set to demand a fee of £25m for the 24-year-old central defender, which is said to not be an issue for Chelsea from a financial perspective.
With all of this in mind, the club must now act on their ‘priority’ target by swooping to sign the Spaniard from the Serie A outfit for a fee of £25m, because he could come in as a big upgrade on Tosin Adarabioyo this summer.
Why Chelsea should sign Mario Gila
Signed from Fulham on a free transfer last summer, the English defender has started 14 of his 21 appearances in the Premier League, but Chelsea could sign an even better centre-back by landing Gila.
The Lazio star has averaged 2.7 tackles and interceptions and 4.9 duels won per game in the Serie A this season, whilst Tosin has only averaged 1.3 tackles and interceptions and 3.2 duels won per match in the Premier League this term.
Chelsea's TosinAdarabioyocelebrates after the match
These statistics suggest that Gila could come in as a defensive upgrade on the current Chelsea centre-back due to his ability to win more tackles, interceptions, and duels per game to cut out opposition attacks.
The Blues, however, are a ball-dominant team that also need centre-backs who are good enough on the ball to build attacks for Enzo Maresca, which the Lazio colossus certainly is.
Last 365 days per 90
Tosin Adarabioyo
Mario Gila
Pass accuracy
91%
91%
Progressive passes
2.66
4.70
Progressive carries
0.34
1.46
Successful take-ons
0.27
0.20
Shot-creating actions
0.96
1.16
Stats via FBref
As you can see in the table above, Gila is more progressive, as a passer and a carrier, from a central defensive position than Tosin is, with far more progressive passes and carries per 90 over the last 365 days.
Therefore, the £25m-rated defender could come in as a big upgrade on the former Fulham man because he could offer more to the team as an out-and-out defender and as a progressive option in possession.
Chelsea can bin Nkunku by signing "fantastic" £100m Premier League striker
With Christopher Nkunku set to leave Chelsea this summer, they should target a “fantastic” Premier League striker to replace the wantaway Frenchman.
By
Ben Gray
May 18, 2025
This is why the Blues should swoop to sign him as an alternative to Huijsen, as the 24-year-old star could improve Maresca’s side with his qualities on and off the ball.
The role of a goalkeeper has changed drastically since the Premier League got underway in 1992, with the majority of keepers in today’s game needing to be as good in possession as they are shot-stoppers.
Nowadays, sides build their attacks from their No.1s, but when all is said and done, who is the greatest goalkeeper in Premier League history?
Ranking factors Appearances Longevity Clean sheets Personal honours What others have said about them 20 best goalkeepers in Premier League history: in pictures 20 Ben Foster Man Utd, Watford, Birmingham, West Brom
Starting the countdown is Ben Foster – the goalkeeper who has made the most saves in Premier League history with 1,248.
The Englishman never lifted a Premier League title after coming through the academy at Man Utd but was a key player for the likes of Watford, Birmingham and West Brom between 2006-2022.
Games
390
Clean sheets
92
Penalties saved
9
Saves
1,248
19 Kasper Schmeichel Man City, Leicester
Part of the historic Leicester City title-winning team in 2015/16 was Kasper Schmeichel, who was key under Claudio Ranieri at the King Power Stadium.
After coming through Man City’s academy, Schmeichel made a name for himself with the Foxes and has turned out 284 times in the Premier League. A Leicester legend, Gary Neville has hailed Schmeichel as a goalkeeper with a “huge personality”.
Games
284
Clean sheets
82
Penalties saved
7
Saves
814
Titles
1
18 Hugo Lloris Tottenham
Hugo Lloris made more than 360 top flight appearances for Tottenham between 2012-2024, becoming a Spurs legend during that time.
Called “one of the best goalkeepers in the world” alongside the likes of Manuel Neuer back in 2014 by former manager Mauricio Pochettino, Lloris was a brilliant shot-stopper and captain and was hailed as a “fantastic leader” by Harry Kane.
Games
361
Clean sheets
127
Penalties saved
5
Saves
986
17 Jens Lehmann Arsenal
Jens Lehmann made quite the impact in the Premier League with Arsenal after joining from Borussia Dortmund, playing every league game of the 2003/04 season where the Gunners went unbeaten.
He did make numerous mistakes in north London which resulted in the German being alternated with Manuel Almunia, however, he is the only shot-stopper who can say he has gone unbeaten in a whole top-flight campaign.
Games
148
Clean sheets
54
Saves
106
Titles
1
16 Thibaut Courtois Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois would only spend four seasons in the Premier League with Chelsea, but he certainly made an impact at Stamford Bridge, which led to a move to Real Madrid in 2018.
The towering Belgian won two top-flight titles with the Blues as well as the FA Cup and League Cup, while also collecting the Premier League’s Golden Glove award in 2016/17.
Still regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Courtois was hailed as “different class” by iconic centre-back John Terry while at Chelsea.
Games
126
Clean sheets
48
Saves
285
Penalties saved
1
Titles
2
15 Nigel Martyn Crystal Palace, Leeds, Everton
Nigel Martyn, the first £1m transferred goalkeeper, was one of the early Premier League greats in goal, starring for Crystal Palace, Leeds and Everton between 1992-2006.
He was dubbed outstanding at Elland Road with Leeds, where more than 200 of his Premier League appearances came, and would have earned a lot more caps for England if it wasn’t for another goalkeeper on this list.
Games
372
Clean sheets
137
Assists
2
14 Tim Howard Man Utd, Everton
After playing second fiddle during the majority of his Man Utd career, Tim Howard would go on to become a Premier League star with Everton between 2006-2016. The USA icon even found the back of the net against Bolton in 2012, becoming the fourth goalkeeper to score in the Premier League.
It was his reliable shot-stopping ability that made him a top-flight great, though, with Roberto Martinez even calling Howard “faultless”.
Games
399
Clean sheets
132
Saves
992
Penalties saved
7
Goals
1
13 Mark Schwarzer Middlesbrough, Fulham, Chelsea, Leicester
Another extremely solid goalkeeper was Mark Schwarzer, who is the only player from outside the UK to play 500 or more Premier League games.
The Australian also managed to pick up back-to-back Premier League winners medals with different clubs, something that has never been done before. Schwarzer served as second or even third choice with Leicester and Chelsea and was 43 when the Blues won the title in 2017.
In his prime, with Middlesbrough and Fulham, Schwarzer was one of the best shot-stoppers around.
Games
514
Clean sheets
152
Assists
1
Titles
2
12 Brad Friedel Liverpool, Blackburn, Aston Villa, Tottenham
Continuing the trend of ‘Barclaysmen’ is Brad Friedel, who is arguably one of the first underrated goalkeepers you think of in the Premier League between 2001-2016.
Best known for his time at Blackburn and Aston Villa, Friedel is actually the current holder of the Premier League record for most consecutive appearances with 310 over an eight-year period and is also another keeper who has scored.
Games
450
Clean sheets
132
Saves
771
Penalties saved
6
Goals
1
11 Shay Given Blackburn, Newcastle, Man City, Aston Villa, Stoke
Shay Given played for five different Premier League clubs, but it was at St James’ Park with Newcastle where he became a top-flight legend, being named in the Premier League PFA Team of the Year twice.
Some have said that Given will go down as Newcastle’s greatest ever goalkeeper, with the Irishman making more than 350 league appearances for the Magpies.