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Leeds United had great success in the loan market in the Championship last season, with Joe Rodon proving himself to be an invaluable pick-up at the back.

Now, however, there is a massive gaping hole left behind by the Welshman returning to Tottenham Hotspur, with no Elland Road reunion in the works, as many Premier League suitors now eye up the much talked about 26-year-old.

Still, the Whites will be spurred on by the successful loan deal all the same, which could lead them to signing a young defender ahead of the new challenging second-tier campaign.

Leeds 'really keen' on loan deal

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, whilst speaking on Chelsea-based podcast London Is Blue recently, the West Yorkshire outfit are 'really keen' to get a deal done for Blues defender Alfie Gilchrist this transfer window.

The breakout 20-year-old enjoyed a promising season at Stamford Bridge in 2023/24, despite the topsy-turvy nature of Chelsea's form in the Premier League, with 15 appearances in all competitions.

That has alerted the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End to his services, who are also keen to sign the up-and-coming defender this off-season, but Leeds should have the upper hand, with Gilchrist aware of how much Rodon excelled at Elland Road as a loanee.

The Chelsea number 42, who put pen to paper on a new Blues deal just this April, could offer Leeds something different compared to Rodon, however, having operated in the right-back spot in West London last campaign.

How Alfie Gilchrist compares to Ben White

If the young defender arrives then could well become Leeds' next Ben White if signed, who has gone on to become a Premier League established star, ever since a formative switch to Elland Road back in 2020, standing out as one for the future during his short but memorable stint.

White has since become a dependable right-back for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal in the top flight, with 90 of his 134 appearances for the Gunners coming from down this channel, despite never playing a minute from this position when on the books at Leeds.

He did make four appearances for the Whites from defensive midfield, however, during his one season stay at the club, before going on to amass 16 goal contributions to date after moving to North London, finding his overall game to be enhanced by playing predominantly as a right-back.

RB

13

1

0

LB

1

0

0

CB

1

0

0

Gilchrist could well end up down the same path as White, having only exclusively played for the Blues at U23 level from the heart of defence, before being unleashed into the senior mix as a right-back option last season with flying colours.

The promising Chelsea number 42 would even play in this spot when facing off against Leeds in the FA Cup last campaign, making two clearances and two interceptions, in an attempt to keep the likes of Daniel James and Crysencio Summerville at arm's length.

Labelled as having a "first-class" attitude by former Chelsea Development Head Coach Mark Robinson last year, Gilchrist will strive to become even better away from Stamford Bridge if Leeds do decide to swoop in for him, knowing he can be a flexible presence across the back four, to give Daniel Farke's men serious depth.

That is needed with Rodon not returning back, alongside a lack of options down either full-back flank, as Leeds begin to add numbers ahead of what they hope is a promotion-winning campaign and not another final hurdle slip-up.

Leeds must bin Elland Road dud who earns 2x more than Summerville

Leeds United will be attempting to offload this dud soon.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 21, 2024

Leeds United face Premier League competition as they look to pull off a move for a new striker this summer.

Leeds set for attacking changes

Facing another season in the Championship, Daniel Farke could be in charge of a very different looking Leeds United come the opening day of the 2024/25 season.

Leading the exodus is Crysencio Summerville, with the Championship player of the season reportedly wanted by clubs across Europe and almost certain to leave this summer as Leeds look to balance their books, with the club needing to raise a reported £100m from player sales this summer.

Leeds keen to sign "machine" who taunted Elland Road last season

He could prove a very savvy signing with Championship experience.

ByBen Browning Jun 25, 2024

Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe has already outlined the plan for the summer, explaining that: "We have the funds we need to do what we need, but there will need to be some trade-offs because of [profit and sustainability rules]".

"It is not just outs, it is ins as well, looking at scouting possibilities, but we need to make trade-offs. I can't talk about specific players right now, it is too early.

Speculation also surrounds attacking duo Wilfried Gnonto and Georginio Rutter, with the pair both having been linked with moves away from the club in a series of deals that would leave Leeds looking very threadbare in attack following the end of Jaidon Anthony's loan and his return to Bournemouth. Clearly then, fresh faces in the Leeds frontline could soon be required, and the Elland Road outfit are seemingly trying to land one.

Leeds chase £12m forward

Now, it has been reported that Leeds are one of several clubs chasing 21-year-old striker Adam Hlozek, who is set to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

The striker still has three years left to run on his £30,000 a week deal with the German champions, but managed just five starts last season as Victor Boniface and Patrick Schick were Xabi Alonso's favoured options to lead the line.

He was once considered one of the most exciting prospects in world football and was even reportedly considered by Borussia Dortmund as their replacement for Erling Haaland when he joined Manchester City.

However, he has struggled at the BayArena since his arrival, with just seven goals in two seasons at Leverkusen since his move from Sparta Prague, and it has been reported that he will be free to leave this summer for just £12m.

Adam Hlozek at Bayer Leverkusen

Appearances

80

Starts

36

Goals

14

Assists

11

Minutes per goal or assist

120

This has attracted the attention of Leeds United, with German outlet Bild [via Sport Witness] explaining that both the Whites and West Ham are keen to sign him this summer, though they add that no offers have been received yet.

With Leeds still seemingly under pressure to sell players, any move may well come later in the window should they firm up their interest, though whether they can convince the title winner to swap Leverkusen for Leeds and the Championship this summer is another matter entirely.

Chelsea have built a squad full of brilliant players over the last few years, with the likes of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella all being genuinely world-class.

However, it would also be fair to say that, so far, their summer signings have not exactly hit the ground running.

In particular, Jamie Gittens has failed to live up to the expectations people had of him after his impressive campaign with Borussia Dortmund last year, during which he recorded 17 goal involvements.

So, it’s not a surprise to see reports linking Chelsea with an exceptionally exciting winger who could end up being a significant upgrade on the Englishman.

Chelsea target Gittens upgrade

With the transfer window less than a month away from reopening, Chelsea have once again been linked with a plethora of brilliant players.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, while there has been plenty of talk about Emmanuel Emegha, the Blues have also been linked with his free-scoring teammate, Joaquín Panichelli.

On top of that, the West Londoners have also been one of several sides linked with Nottingham Forest’s imposing Murillo.

However, while both players would improve Maresca’s squad, because of where they play, neither could be described as an upgrade on Gittens, unlike Yan Diamonde.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are one of a handful of top teams interested in signing the Ivorian winger.

In fact, the report goes further than that, revealing that the Blues’ board are convinced about the 19-year-old wonderkid and see him fitting into the team perfectly.

However, on top of having to get ahead of the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, the Pensionsers would also have to stump up a lot of money to secure the player.

According to the report, RB Leipzig would want up to €100m to sell their star asset, which is about £87m, but even so, Diomande looks like a player Chelsea should go all out for, especially as he’d be a significant Gittens upgrade.

How Diomande compares Gittens

Now, while Diomande is someone who can play on both flanks and has actually spent a little more time on the right recently, he is seen as a left-sided player.

Therefore, were he to join Chelsea next month, one of his main rivals for game time would be Gittens, but who is the better player?

Well, when it comes to raw output, which is fundamentally the most crucial metric of all, it’s not even close.

For example, in 15 first-team appearances this season, totalling just 951 minutes, the Ivorian star has scored seven goals and provided four assists.

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.36 games, or every 86.45 minutes, which is a rate of return that lends credence to journalist Bence Bocsák’s claim that he is a “generational talent.”

Appearances

15

18

Minutes

951′

830′

Goals

7

1

Assists

4

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.73

0.27

Minutes per Goal Involvement

86.45

138.33′

In stark contrast, the Englishman has scored a single goal and provided five assists in 18 appearances this season, totalling 830 minutes.

That comes out to a pretty underwhelming average of a goal involvement every three games, or every 138.33 minutes.

Moreover, a caveat about the Reading-born ace’s age cannot be made, as the Leipzig star is just 19 and already running games in attack.

On top of having the better output, the Abidjan-born superstar in the making also has some brilliant underlying numbers to his name.

For example, FBref ranks him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons, the top 2% for progressive carries, the top 10% for shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Finally, while the competition is less fierce, it is impressive that the Ivorian monster has already won four senior caps for his country, compared to none for the Englishman.

Ultimately, Gittens may well come good, but at the same time, Diomande is massively outperforming him and looks like someone Chelsea should break the bank on.

Fewer touches than Sanchez & 70% duels lost: Chelsea flop must be dropped

It was another night to forget for Chelsea, especially for one starter who Enzo Maresca must now drop.

ByJack Salveson Holmes 2 days ago

Manchester United’s midfield depth is becoming a bit of an issue under Ruben Amorim. Whilst he has found his first choice pivot in Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, the Portuguese manager does not seem to trust his squad depth in those deeper areas.

His stubbornness at not playing Kobbie Mainoo is bizarre, given how talented the young Carrington graduate is. It now seems that the England international will leave his boyhood club on loan this winter, with Napoli one potential destination.

As for Manuel Ugarte, he has only played 301 Premier League minutes and seems off the pace for the Premier League, having been described as “not good enough” by Gary Neville, following the Manchester derby defeat.

With that in mind, it might not come as a surprise that United are targeting a new midfielder.

Man Utd’s latest midfield target

Midfield is clearly an area United are looking to improve this winter. They have already been linked with Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace in the last few days, although they will face lots of competition for the Englishman.

Another player the Red Devils could target is Stuttgart star Angelo Stiller.

According to reports in Spain, United are one of the sides ‘interested in acquiring his services’, with the German international one of the top names on their midfield shopping list.

Transfer Focus

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

However, despite having seemingly made an ‘approach’, they will not be alone in the hunt for Stiller’s signature.

United’s competition comes in the form of Real Madrid, with Los Blancos looking to add to their own midfield depth after losing Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the last few seasons.

As for a price, Stiller – who is said to be keen on moving to the Spanish capital – could cost upwards of £53m to tempt Stuttgart into a sale.

How Stiller compares to Adam Wharton

Five-cap Germany international Stiller has shone in the middle of the park for Stuttgart over the last few seasons. Described as a “complete” midfielder by football analyst Ben Mattinson, he oozes class on the ball, controlling play from deeper areas.

This season has been no different for the midfielder, who was born in Munich and has played for Bayern Munich at senior level. Stiller has played 17 times so far this term, chipping in with one goal and assisting five.

Indeed, those assists from deeper areas are a key theme of Stiller’s game. He has 22 assists in 98 games for Stuttgart. This pass against FC Augsburg is an example of how creative he can be, looking to pull the strings from the edge of the final third.

Of course, the German is not the only midfielder United are looking to sign. Wharton is also a name high up on their shopping list, as he is for many clubs.

The Palace midfielder has shone for the Eagles again this season, playing 15 games across all competitions.

His former manager at Blackburn Rovers, Jon Dahl Tomasson, said, “on the ball, he’s Champions League level.”

Indeed, like Stiller, Wharton is a true controller, able to dictate games from deeper areas. Look at the influence he had in midfield against Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final last season.

It might well be the case that United only end up signing one of Stiller or Wharton, given how alike their profiles are. Whilst the former Blackburn star has Premier League experience, it might be the case that Stiller is actually a better signing.

The stats go a long way in supporting this theory, too. So far this season, the German averages more progressive passes, with 7.56 to Wharton’s 5.06 per 90 minutes, and more ball recoveries, with 5.47 compared to 4.68 each game.

Progressive passes

7.56

5.06

Passes into final third

7.44

3.77

Passes into penalty area

2.33

1.04

Progressive carries

2.21

1.17

Ball recoveries

5.47

4.68

It is easy to see why bringing Stiller in over Wharton could be a better move for United. Not only does he rank ahead of him in several key metrics, but the former Bayern star is also someone who has more of an impact in the final third and racks up far more assists.

As Mattinson said in a separate post, the 24-year-old is “the perfect player for Amorim’s style of play.” He could certainly be that controller in United’s pivot, with the skills he has in possession, whilst also contributing in attack.

A fee of £53m is not too expensive in the current transfer market. Stiller could be the ideal candidate to add depth to United’s midfield that Amorim trusts.

Casemiro 2.0: Man Utd make £79m bid for "one of the best DMs on the planet"

Man Utd’s midfield could be improved grealty with this signing

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 20, 2025

Chelsea have made a solid start to the season under Enzo Maresca despite being presented with a fair few obstacles, and the Blues briefly climbed to second in the Premier League table last weekend.

Maresca’s approach has been defined by extensive squad rotation, a strategy that has drawn both praise and criticism.

The Italian has made 93 changes in total this season, a staggering number and more than any other Premier League side. This rotation policy could reflect Chelsea’s depth and ambitions to compete on all four fronts, even if Maresca reportedly isn’t completely satisfied with the squad right now.

That being said, injuries and suspensions have significantly tested that depth this term.

Levi Colwill remains a long-term absentee after sustaining an ACL injury during pre-season training in August, ruling him out for most of the campaign and likely England’s Euro 2026 preparations. Superstar forward Cole Palmer has also been sidelined with a niggling groin injury since September, with Maresca initially expecting him to return shortly after the last international break before the recovery timeline was extended by six weeks.

The England international missed a full month of action and was targeting a return in December, but he is now expected to return before the end of this month and could feature against Barcelona in the Champions League.

The striker department has been particularly affected by injuries. Summer signing Liam Delap sustained a hamstring problem early in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August, leaving him out for two months, and following his return from a lengthy layoff, the forward’s comeback quickly turned into a disaster.

Delap picked up two needless yellow cards against Wolves, prompting fury from Maresca, who labelled his conduct ’embarrassing’.

After Roméo Lavia’s latest in a long line of injuries since joining from Southampton, Chelsea’s medical room is starting to feel overcrowded again, but the west Londoners have done well to navigate it with Colwill, Palmer, Benoit Badiashile, Enzo Fernández, Pedro Neto, Dario Essugo, Delap, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos and Josh Acheampong all missing at various points.

Chelsea became the first team in history to win all five UEFA club tournaments back in May, and as Maresca looks to build upon that feat, their form on paper suggests the club have every chance of doing so.

BlueCo’s ownership appears to finally be reaping dividends, but it hasn’t always been this way.

There’s been a fair few trial and error, high-profile mistakes since Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly took over the club in 2022, not least their deal for ex-Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang admits Chelsea transfer was a "big mistake"

Speaking to YouTube content creator Troopz, via ESPN, Aubameyang himself has now admitted that joining Chelsea was a “big mistake”.

Aubameyang signed for Chelsea in September 2022 for a reported fee of around £10 million, reuniting with his former boss at Borussia Dortmund, Thomas Tuchel. However, Tuchel was sacked just days after the Gabonese’s arrival, setting the tone for a disastrous spell.

He was handed his first Premier League appearance in October, scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-1 away victory over Crystal Palace. The now-Marseille striker made 21 appearances in all competitions for the Blues, scoring just three goals, and all three of them came in the space of ten days that October.

By February, he was dropped from the Champions League squad by Graham Potter, highlighting his fall from grace, and he didn’t fare any better under Frank Lampard either. Aubameyang struggled for form and consistency, and just 10 months after signing, the 36-year-old left Chelsea and signed a three-year deal with Marseille on a free transfer.

He’ll go down as one of, if not the worst signing of BlueCo’s tenure — so the feeling of regret will be pretty mutual in London.

Manchester United’s spell under Ruben Amorim has been largely unsuccessful, with the 40-year-old’s job even coming into question before his one-year anniversary in the role.

From 15th-placed Premier League finishes to Carabao Cup exits against League Two opposition, his tenure at Old Trafford has been far from what many supporters expected.

However, over the last couple of weeks, the 40-year-old has finally started to show glimpses of being a success in the role in the immediate and long-term future.

His men have now won three league games in a row, with Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest presenting the manager with the chance to extend such a run.

Some of the recent success has been down to the impact of the new summer additions, but also the transformation of numerous players already on the books prior to his appointment.

Man Utd players who have had a resurgence under Amorim

Amad Diallo was a player with a huge future at United after they forked out a reported £36m for his signature back in January 2021, but the early days of his stint in England were limited to say the least.

He was often utilised as a bench player under the guidance of former manager Erik ten Hag, but Amorim’s arrival sparked a newfound sense of belief in the Ivorian.

Since the manager’s arrival, the 23-year-old has operated in an unnatural wing-back role, but it’s allowed for consistent first-team minutes and a total of 20 combined goals and assists in his last 52 outings.

He’s not alone in turning his career at Old Trafford around, with centre-back Matthijs de Ligt often struggling to make the immediate impact many hoped for after his switch from Bayern Munich last summer.

The Dutch international was often called into question for his lack of defensive dominance, but he’s been a key component of Amorim’s side this campaign – subsequently playing every minute in the Premier League to date.

He’s made 1.7 tackles per 90 so far this campaign, along with 3.1 aerial duels won, tallies which have provided the side with the steel they were missing at the back last campaign.

Other players such as Luke Shaw and Mason Mount have also been regular starters throughout the early days of the season – potentially a surprise after being hounded by fans in 2024/25.

Such situations highlight the manager’s individual management with the players at his disposal, which has allowed for the Red Devils to endure a somewhat unfamiliar winning feeling as of late.

The United player who’s becoming one of their best in 2025/26

When you think of some of United’s best players in the current campaign, the imagination no doubt goes directly towards the £200m attacking trio who arrived this summer.

Bryan Mbeumo is just one of the attacking stars who has made an immediate impact at Old Trafford, as seen by his tally of five goals in his first ten outings for the club.

Bruno Fernandes is no doubt another that springs to mind, and understandably so, especially after the club captain registered 37 combined goals and assists last season.

However, the Portuguese international has since dropped into a deeper role, subsequently allowing the likes of Mbeumo to operate in the number ten role in the 3-4-2-1 system.

As a result, Amorim has had to find a dominant ball-winner to operate alongside Bruno, with the 40-year-old decided to utilise the experienced Casemiro in such a role.

The 33-year-old joined in a £60m deal from Real Madrid back in the summer of 2022, with real hope of handing the Red Devils the top-level star they craved in the middle of the park.

However, his stint in England has been largely topsy-turvy, with his disciplinary record of four red cards often holding him back from being a reliable option.

Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher even called the Brazilian “terrible” back in September 2023 – before his infamous ‘leave the football’ quotes in May 2024 – with many expecting the player to depart the Theatre of Dreams during the recent window.

Despite such criticism, Casemiro has managed to transform his career in the Premier League, now appearing in all but one league outing of the 2025/26 campaign.

Games played

8

Goals & assists

3

Pass accuracy

83%

Tackles made

3.1

Ball recoveries

5.3

Duels won

60%

Aerials won

1.6

Fouls won

1.2

Whilst working out of possession is largely his responsibility, he’s managed to star with the ball at his feet – scoring twice and notching one assist in his eight appearances.

He’s also managed to make 3.1 tackles and 5.3 ball recoveries per 90 – highlighting his defensive talent, which has so often been called into question in recent years.

Other tallies, such as 60% duels won and 1.6 aerials won per 9,0 further showcase his dominant ability – making him the perfect partner alongside Bruno at present.

Casemiro deserves huge credit for his recent revival under Amorim, subsequently going from a certain exit to now being one of the club’s most important players.

The duo’s partnership at the heart of the side could allow for a successful 2025/26 campaign and kickstart the manager’s tenure at Old Trafford.

Not Cunha or Mbeumo: Man Utd gem is becoming one of the "best in the world"

Manchester United have yet another world-class star on their hands under Ruben Amorim.

2 ByEthan Lamb Oct 30, 2025

It is the end of an era for Celtic and Brendan Rodgers after a string of disappointing results across all competitions led to the manager tendering his resignation this week.

The Hoops did beat Sturm Graz in the Europa League last week, to their credit, but they have also lost three of their last five matches, including their last two in the Scottish Premiership.

Dane Murray scored an own goal and conceded a penalty in a rare start against league-leaders Hearts on Sunday, taking their opponents eight points clear at the top of the table.

The Hoops are in a position they do not often find themselves in, chasing the team at the top of the table, and Rodgers has decided that he is not the man to take the club forward.

Celtic have already confirmed that incredibly experienced manager Martin O’Neill will lead the team in the interim period until a permanent head coach can be unveiled.

The former Hoops boss will have some big calls to make for the team selection against Falkirk, with Arne Engels one of the players whose future at the club is in some doubt because of his performances.

Why Arne Engels' future at Celtic may be in doubt

The Scottish giants broke their transfer record to sign the Belgium international from Augsburg for a fee of £11m in the summer of 2024 to bolster their options in the middle of the park.

For a 21-year-old playing in Scotland for the first time, with the pressure of his transfer fee, a return of ten goals and 13 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, was an impressive haul.

Unfortunately, Engels has failed to kick on in the current Scottish Premiership campaign, as he has only been named in the starting line-up in four of his eight appearances.

xG

0.42

Top 33%

Goals

0

Bottom 3%

xA

0.48

Top 49%

Assists

0

Bottom 3%

Duels won

16

Bottom 31%

Duel success rate

29%

Bottom 4%

Interceptions

2

Bottom 18%

As you can see in the table above, the Belgian central midfielder has failed to provide much quality in possession, whilst he has struggled badly off the ball in midfield.

His dismal form in the Premiership, and lack of starts, may put his future up in the air ahead of the January transfer window, because he is an £11m asset who will not increase in value if his performances are poor.

However, there were positive signs against Sturm Graz last week. He assisted the winning goal, as shown in the clip above, and ended the game with five key passes and three ‘big chances’ created, per Sofascore.

That performance was a step in the right direction for Engels and shows that he can still deliver quality in the middle of the park for the Hoops, which is why O’Neill should not drop him from the XI.

Chalkboard

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

However, one player who should be instantly ditched by the interim manager, though, is Reo Hatate, whose performance levels have dropped significantly this season.

Why Reo Hatate should be dropped

Like Engels, the Japan international was an influential figure in the middle of the park for the Hoops in the 2024/25 campaign with his attacking contributions.

Hatate scored ten goals and created 14 ‘big chances’ in 37 appearances in the Scottish Premiership last season, which shows that he provided a regular threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the Bhoys.

The Japanese star was even linked with a move to Serie A side Udinese off the back of his impressive performances for the club, but he remained at Parkhead until the close of the summer transfer window.

Unfortunately, Hatate has one goal and no assists in 13 appearances in all competitions so far this season, and was recenty criticised by a former Celtic manager in the win over Sturm Graz.

Speaking on TNT Sports’ coverage of the game, Neil Lennon was unimpressed by the midfielder, saying that his play on the ball was “so sloppy” throughout the first half.

Minutes

90

60

Key passes

3

1

Assists

0

0

Possession lost

16x

5x

Ground duels won

1/5

0/1

Aerial duels won

0/1

1/3

Tackles won

0

0

As you can see in the table above, Hatate gave the ball away 16 times against the Austrian outfit, whilst also losing five of his six duels, before going on to lose 75% of his duels against Hearts on Sunday.

The Japan international has, now, scored one goal and failed to provide any assists, with just 0.7 key passes per game, across seven starts in the Premiership this season, on top of his struggles in duels.

With Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo both waiting in the wings, and Lennon criticising his play on the ball last week, it looks like Hatate is finished in midfield unless his performances drastically improve.

Engels, at least, showed signs of life with his impressive display against Sturm Graz, creating as many ‘big chances’ (three) as Hatate has managed all season in all competitions (three), per Sofascore.

Whilst it remains to be seen who the next permanent manager of the club will be, it also remains to be seen whether or not Hatate has much of a future left in Glasgow, if his performances do not improve.

Unlike Engels, he is not currently showing signs of revival and that could mean that a transfer is considered in January, particularly given the interest from Udinese in the summer, as it may be the best option for all parties involved if Hatate cannot recapture his best form.

Back in the summer of 2024, very few Tottenham Hotspur supporters would have predicted the rise Djed Spence would endure in North London over the last 12 months.

He was signed by Antonio Conte in the summer of 2022, but it was a deal the Italian didn’t want – subsequently excluding him from his plans, restricting the right-back to just six first-team outings.

He was sent on three separate loans between 2022 and 2024, joining the likes of Stade Rennais, Leeds United and Genoa respectively – but he failed to deliver, leading to a permanent move away from the Lilywhites being mooted.

However, last season’s injury crisis handed him valuable minutes in the Premier League – subsequently ending up making a total of 35 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25.

At present, he’s a regular starter under Thomas Frank and is now a full England international – potentially taking the RB role from one other member in the squad.

Pedro Porro's lack of form for Spurs in 2025/26

After registering nine assists across all competitions last season, many Spurs fans will have been expecting Pedro Porro to kick on and reach the next level under Frank’s guidance.

However, the opening months of the season have been tricky for the Spaniard, with the full-back unable to match the expectations of the Lilywhites faithful in North London.

The 26-year-old may have started all but one league outing to date, but his underlying stats show how disappointing he’s been since the Dane took the reins in the off-season.

Porro currently ranks in just the 12th percentile for passes completed in the Premier League for 2025/26, highlighting his wasteful nature, which has seen him register just one assist.

The main asset of his game in recent times has been his ability to travel with the ball into dangerous areas and provide those in the box with the ammunition to find the back of the net.

However, the full-back has only completed 18% of his crosses in the Premier League to date, which ranks him in just the 40th percentile for full-backs at present.

Defensively, Porro has been just as lacklustre, winning just 4.2 duels per 90 and 1.2 tackles, with both figures putting him in the lower end of the table compared to other defenders.

His form will likely be a concern to Frank, with the Dane desperately needing to find an immediate solution to the problems facing him in the right-back area.

How Spurs can solve their Porro problem

Given the huge spending from the Spurs hierarchy in recent years, they will no doubt have huge expectations in Frank to guide the club up the league table in 2025/26.

After the first eight outings, the Lilywhites currently occupy eighth place, losing on just two occasions, but there’s no disputing the side could be in a much healthier position.

His men threw away a one-goal lead against Aston Villa in North London on Sunday, with such a result taking them just a couple of points off the summit had they held on.

The sheer volume of games that face the club this campaign will result in a serious rotation of players – with Archie Gray taking full advantage of his own opportunity on Tuesday.

Eyebrows were raised last summer when the board paid £40m for the 19-year-old’s signature – especially after he had just ended his only previous year as a professional with Leeds United the season prior.

Despite his tender age, he mirrored Spence in taking advantage of the injury crisis, subsequently making 46 appearances across all competitions – many of which were in an unfamiliar centre-back role.

However, despite his lack of action in his regular midfield role, he’s been hugely praised for his immediate impact in North London, with analyst Ben Mattinson dubbing him a “future £100m” talent.

Gray was handed his first Champions League start against Monaco earlier this week, operating in a left-back role, but once again showcasing his unbelievable quality.

The teenager won 100% of the tackles he entered, whilst also making four clearances and two interceptions – highlighting his incredible ability out of possession.

He was just as impressive with the ball at his feet, completing 90% of the passes he attempted, with three of which going into the final third, leading to him creating two chances in the process.

At just 19, there’s no denying Gray is a world-class talent with the world at his feet – but his versatility is one asset that could allow him to go one step further than most youngsters in the modern game.

He often featured at right-back during his time at boyhood club Leeds, with Frank desperately needing to utilise him in such a role going forward and drop Porro out of his immediate plans.

The Spaniard has been an excellent addition for the club, but it may be time for fresh blood to stake their claim for a regular starting role to help take the Lilywhites to the next level.

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Arsenal star Declan Rice has had his say on summer signing Cristhian Mosquera as Mikel Arteta waits to discover the extent of his injury problem.

Arsenal defeat Brentford 2-0 to maintain 18-game unbeaten run

The Gunners restored their five-point advantage at the Premier League summit with a straightforward victory over Brentford on Wednesday evening.

Mikel Merino’s early header and Bukayo Saka’s stoppage-time finish secured all three points to extend the Gunners’ unbeaten streak to 18 matches, but Arteta faces mounting injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa.

The manager watched Mosquera hobble off just before halftime after landing awkwardly during an aerial challenge with Kevin Schade.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

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Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

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Arsenal 2-0 Brentford

The defender immediately signalled discomfort and was unable to continue, with Jurrien Timber entering as his replacement to partner Piero Hincapie in central defence.

Arsenal’s defensive problems have now intensified with both regular starters William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes already sidelined through injury, leaving Arteta with severely limited options at the back during a congested festive fixture schedule.

That being said, the good news is that Saliba is expected to be back in a ‘matter of days’, according to Arteta in his pre-Brentford press conference.

If the Frenchman is fit and available for Villa, Arsenal will have little choice but to thrust Saliba right back into the starting eleven to partner Hincapie, with Gabriel still weeks away from returning.

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The situation worsened against Brentford when Rice gestured toward his right calf before receiving treatment and departing in the 83rd minute. Viktor Gyokeres replaced the influential midfielder as concerns grew about the England international’s availability for crucial upcoming fixtures.

Luckily for Arteta, Rice has managed to avoid a serious injury and is expected to be fit for their upcoming Premier League clash against Unai Emery’s men in-form Villa side.

Supporters can breathe a massive sigh of relief after this news, but they’re still waiting to find out about Mosquera’s condition.

Declan Rice praises Cristhian Mosquera amid Arsenal injury scare

Speaking to Sky Sports before Arsenal’s win over Brentford, Rice explained exactly why the Spaniard could end up being a sore miss — especially with Saliba currently absent and a doubt for this weekend.

The England international, who has been their arguable player of the season so far, told Sky that Mosquera is an “incredible” player with “immense” qualities alongside Hincapie.

This high praise comes as further evidence of what many already know — Mosquera has proved to be one of the bargains of the summer.

Signed for just £13 million from Valencia, the 21-year-old has done exactly what has been required of him whilst barely ever faltering.

Mosquera was handed his Premier League debut in a testing 1-0 defeat at Anfield in August, the club’s last defeat in all competitions, and he performed admirably at a very difficult ground after replacing the injured Saliba.

The youngster has attracted major praise whenever he’s been asked to fill in for one of Arsenal’s first choice pairing, with Martin Keown claiming that Mosquera has ‘the same DNA’ as both Saliba and Gabriel.

Arsenal will now be praying that his development isn’t stifled by a serious long-term injury, and the club are reportedly convinced that Mosquera could become one of the best centre-backs in world football.

Manchester United have now submitted a £24m opening bid for a “powerful” midfielder, who has been compared to Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.

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Man United could smash their transfer record to get a new midfielder through the door, having set out to bolster their options in the engine room in 2026, and Wharton has been identified as one of their top targets, even though the Eagles are set to hold out for over £100m.

The Red Devils are confident they’ll be able to sign the Englishman, and it is little wonder they are so keen, given the level of some of his performances so far this season.

However, given that the move would be on the expensive side, it remains to be seen whether a deal will be possible, and some cheaper alternative targets have now been identified.

According to a report from Sport Time (via Sport Witness), Man United have now submitted an opening offer of €28m (£24m) for Olympiacos’ Christos Mouzakitis, who has started to attract interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Real Madrid have also made a slightly higher bid, but the Greek club aren’t in a rush to sanction a departure, and they are hoping to receive €40m (£35m) for the midfielder’s services in the January transfer window.

Olympiacos aren’t even willing to listen to proposals of less than €30m (£26m), so if a January deal is going to transpire, Ruben Amorim’s side will have to increase their offer.

"Powerful" Mouzakitis could be low-cost Wharton alternative

The advantage of signing Wharton is that he is already proven in the Premier League, but over £100m is a huge amount to pay for any player, and the Olympiacos star could be an interesting alternative option.

In fact, the 18-year-old has been directly compared to the Crystal Palace star by scout Ben Mattinson, who said: “Mouzakitis is a highly technical #8. As a profile if I was to compare him to someone, I’d say Adam Wharton and Granit Xhaka.”

“He’s that type of left footed #8 who’s tenacious off the ball, incredibly crisp passing through the lines, powerful ball striker, good weight of pass…”

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The starlet, who has made five Champions League appearances this season, also has a keen eye for creating chances, averaging 0.47 assists per 90 over the past year, which places him in the 99th percentile compared to other midfielders.

As such, the seven-time Greek international could be an exciting long-term addition to Amorim’s squad, but Man United should also bring in a midfielder who has more experience at the top level, with Mouzakitis yet to prove himself in one of Europe’s major leagues.