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Roy Keane questioned Manchester United's philosophy after they drew 0-0 with Manchester City in a drab derby at Old Trafford.

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• Man Utd draw 0-0 with Man City
• Keane takes aim at performance
• Claims 'philosophy' chat is flawed

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United boss Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 system has received criticism in some quarters and Keane claimed they need to be more versatile rather than sticking to something that isn't working. Their ex-midfielder also says he doubts that they will challenge towards the top of the Premier League next season.

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  WHAT KEANE SAID

  Keane said on : "The manager is going to stick with it. That's the gamble he's taking. If he's not getting football results we're talking about next year when he will no doubt get an opportunity to get players in the summer, we will be able to judge him better. That's his belief and philosophy and that's fine. But I like the philosophy of winning football matches. I don't remember sitting with the players I played with – and some brilliant managers – when we discussed our philosophy. United tried to play out from the back and got caught a couple of times. I don't like that. I'd like to be proven wrong and United are in the top four or five next season but I don't see it. I saw Forest the other night, I was kicking my cups of tea over. They were never going to score."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United have won just two of their last eight league games, against seemingly-doomed Ipswich and Leicester. They are seven points off the top half and Amorim claims he he is "in a rush" to improve their fortunes.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?

  United are in Europa League quarter-final action this week, heading to Lyon for the first leg on Thursday. They then face Newcastle away before hosting the Ligue 1 side in the second leg the following week.

Real Madrid's senior players have apparently figured out how to triumph over Barcelona when they meet in the Copa del Rey final later this month.

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• Madrid's plan to beat Barca in CDR final revealed
• Catalans have beaten Los Blancos twice already
• First Clasico final in CDR since 2014

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barcelona progressed to the final of the Copa del Rey after beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 on Wednesday night in the second leg of the semi-final. The 5-4 win on aggregate set up the first Copa del Rey El Clasico final since 2014. Now, according to a report from El Chiringuito (h/t Football Espana), the leadership core within the Real Madrid dressing room believe they have found a way to beat the Catalans, whom they have lost to 4-0 and 5-2 earlier in the season.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Los Blancos believe that if they can remain competitive for the first 60 minutes of a match, either by staying level or ahead by that point, they will secure victory. While acknowledging the strength and immense quality of Hansi Flick's troops, especially in the opening passages of the game, Madrid's leadership group feels that the Catalan side often struggles physically in the latter stages of the game. Thus, Madrid remain confident in their superior fitness and believes that if they can withstand Barcelona’s early onslaught, they will have the upper hand in the latter stages of the game.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Barca superstar Lamine Yamal appeared to have a bloodied ankle when he was subbed off for Gerard Martin after 87 minutes on Wednesday night. The 17-year-old was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge from Clement Lenglet, who landed on Yamal's studs. However, Barca fans should be relieved as Yamal escaped an injury blow, with his clash with Lenglet resulting in nothing more than a minor cut.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  Following an edge-of-the-seat 4-4 draw in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad, Carlo Ancelotti's side will return to La Liga action this Saturday, April 5, as they welcome Valencia at the Bernabeu.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is braced for potential outgoings at Stamford Bridge next month, and it is believed that another member of his squad is now looking to depart in the winter window.

Enzo Maresca refuses to rule out Chelsea exits in January

Speaking in a recent press conference, when asked about summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s immediate future, Chelsea’s manager refused to rule out exits for any of his players – insisting that anything could happen in January.

Chelsea "hopeful of securing" agreement for "exciting" £20m midfielder

He’d be a stellar addition for the club.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 21, 2024

Dewsbury-Hall is one of many fringe Chelsea players who’ve been repeatedly linked with the exit door, alongside the likes of Ben Chilwell, Cesare Casadei and Carney Chukwuemeka, and Maresca cannot deny that any of his squad could choose to quit the club.

“Unfortunately I cannot say that, not about Kiernan, about all the squad, because when the transfer window is open, unfortunately anything can happen,” said Maresca on possible Chelsea departures in January.

“So I’m not focused on January, the only thing I can say about Kiernan is that we are very happy in the way he’s working, we are very happy about his performance, and this is my thought about Kiernan.

“We don’t want one of our players to leave, the problem is that sometimes the question is more for them, that if they say, ‘OK, you don’t want me to leave, but I’m not happy, I want to play more’. So in that case, we are not going to say, ‘No, you have to stay, yes or yes’. It’s a matter of agreement between the club and the player, the only thing I can say is that we are happy with Kiernan, then we’ll see.”

Defender Axel Disasi is also attracting interest from Juventus, with reports in France claiming the 26-year-old could elect to pack his bags and leave as he struggles to become a certainty in Maresca’s Premier League elevens.

Maresca previously ruled out an exit for Christopher Nkunku, but going by the Chelsea boss’ latest comments, it appears the £52 million signing from RB Leipzig isn’t entirely out of the equation when it comes to outgoings.

Nkunku is currently Chelsea’s top scorer in all competitions with 12 goals in 24 appearances, but the Frenchman remains behind Nicolas Jackson in Maresca’s pecking order when it comes to his top flight team selections.

Christopher Nkunku "ready to leave" Chelsea in January

According to journalist Graeme Bailey and The Boot Room, Nkunku is “ready to leave” Chelsea in January, and his agents are actively searching for options in the form of a new club for ex-Bundesliga sensation.

The 27-year-old has started just two Premier League games all season, once on the opening weekend against Man City, and then against Southampton in their 5-1 win at St. Mary’s Stadium.

Ligue 1 champions PSG are believed to be monitoring the situation closely, and may well offer Nkunku a route out of Stamford Bridge in a possible switch across the channel.

Their interest in Nkunku may well cause a transfer domino as well, with both Arsenal and Man United eyeing Randal Kolo Muani. Luis Enrique’s side need to shift the France international to make room for Nkunku, so this could be one to watch as fast approach the transfer window’s reopening.

Ruben Amorim shared a brutal update on Joshua Zirkzee's condition after the striker suffered a hamstring injury against Newcastle.

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• Amorim offers update on Zirkzee
• Striker suffered a hamstring injury against Newcastle
• Man Utd next face Lyon on Thursday

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  United's misery continued in the Premier League as they suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United at St. James' Park on Sunday. Harvey Barned scored a brace, while Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes were also on target for the Magpies as they registered a thumping win at home and claimed fourth position in the league table.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Things worsened for the Premier League giants when star striker Joshua Zirkzee limped off the pitch in the 55th minute after he was seen clutching the back of his leg. While the extent of the Dutch forward's injury is yet to be determined, manager Amorim delivered a two-word verdict on the player's condition after the match as he told reporters: "Zirkzee vs. Lyon? I think it’s over."

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Zirkzee's injury comes as a huge blow, as the player was one of the top performers in the team in Sunday's clash until he was forced off the pitch. The 23-year-old had also scored the equaliser in the Red Devils' 2-2 draw against Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier earlier this week.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  Amorim is likely to start Rasmus Hojlund as the team's No.9 in the second leg at home against Lyon on Thursday, with Zirkzee looking to have no chance of playing.

It’s no secret that the primary reason behind Manchester City’s enormous downturn in form this season is Rodri’s absence.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner ruptured his ACL against Arsenal in late-September, and the Sky Blues’ season has spiralled into oblivion ever since, winning just three of their last 15 matches, staggeringly losing ten of them.

So, with current options İlkay Gündoğan and Mateo Kovačić ill-equipped to fill Rodri’s ginormous void at the base of midfield, will the beleaguered four-in-a-row Premier League champions dip into the January transfer market?

Man City looking at Premier League midfielder

According to reports from Spain earlier this week, Manchester City have ‘set their sights’ on Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba.

Baleba, a 20-year-old Cameroon international, joined the Seagulls from LOSC Lille in August 2023 for a reported fee of €27m (£23.2m), with the Ligue 1 side retaining a 15% sell-on clause, meaning les Dogues will certainly be hoping Man City make a move.

Baleba has been a key figure for Fabian Hürzeler’s side, starting 15 of the last 18 Premier League matches, while only two outfield Brighton players have accumulated more minutes during this campaign thus far; Kaoru Mitoma and Jan Paul van Hecke, in case you were wondering.

Transfermarkt currently values Baleba at €35m (£29m), but Brighton would surely demand more for one of their most prized assets.

Transfer Focus

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

As noted by Brian Owen of the Argus, the Seagulls have earned a reputation as “tough negotiators”, most notably selling Moisés Caicedo for a British record £115m, as well as Marc Cucurella for a reported £62m, also joining Chelsea, while Benjamin White moved to Arsenal for £50m.

So, if Man City do want to land their man, they’ll have to pay top-dollar, but would Beleba be worth a heavy investment?

How Carlos Baleba would improve Manchester City

Of course, any defensive midfielder Man City sign, or are even interested in signing, will be compared to Rodri, so how do the pair compare?

Despite his current lay-off, since the start of last season, Rodri has played almost exactly double the number of minutes Baleba has, making the Cameroonian’s statistics all the more impressive.

During this timeframe, on a per-90-minute basis, Baleba significantly exceeds Rodri when it comes to tackles and interceptions, but is marginally behind for ball recoveries, underlining that the Brighton man is better out of possession.

Raj Cohan of Premier League Panel on Twitter described Baleba’s halftime introduction during the Seagulls’ win over Man City in November as “game-changing”, adding he had the “power to smash Haaland out of the way”.

On the flip side, Rodri’s in-possession passing numbers are off the scale, attempting close to a pass every minute, while Baleba’s figures are around half that.

Meantime, Rodri completed 546 progressive passes, defined as a pass that moves the ball “at least 30 meters closer to the opponent’s goal”, over eight per game on average, which is a ridiculously high figure.

Nevertheless, Baleba’s out-of-possession, ball-winning proficiency could be a major asset given that, as Barney Ronay for the Guardian noted, Man City keep letting in the same goal on the counter-attack repeatedly, with Pep Guardiola himself saying his team “conceded the goals we didn’t concede” in the past.

Forget Phillips: Man City have an "ideal Rodri back-up" out on loan

Manchester City may already have their perfect Rodri deputy, but it’s not Kalvin Phillips

By
Ben Gray

Dec 31, 2024

A surprise club from Spain could land the final bonus Champions League spot next season, marking their return to the competition after 20 years.

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• La Liga to have five teams play Champions League next season
• Extra spot awarded based on European Performance Spot (EPS) system
• Surprise club could mark their return to the competition after 20 years

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  La Liga has been awarded a bonus spot for next season's Champions League, and a surprise club from the league could mark a shock return to Europe's most prestigious club competition after a prolonged absence.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The top four teams from Spain's top flight qualify for the Champions League group stage by default, but thanks to the European Performance Spot (EPS) system, introduced as a part of the revamped 36-team format, Real Betis have a real chance of returning to the Champions League for the first time since the 2005-06 season. To this day, it remains Los Verdiblancos' only appearance in the competition.

  Betis are currently in sixth position in the league table, three points behind fifth-placed Villarreal, who have a game in hand. The Andalusian outfit could qualify for the Champions League if they manage to secure fifth place by the end of the campaign.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Apart from Spain, England's Premier League are the only other league to have been awarded with a bonus Champions League spot. Last season, it was Bologna from Serie A and Borussia Dortmund from the Bundesliga who made it to Europe via the bonus spots.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL BETIS?

  Betis have a real chance of qualifying for Champions League next season, and they will hope to build momentum in the final few weeks of the season by registering a win against Girona on Monday, April 21.

West Ham United are plotting a winter offer for one side’s striker after having behind-the-scenes conversations with club chiefs, and it appears imperative they begin to move after Niclas Fullkrug’s latest injury nightmare.

Niclas Fullkrug suffers "significant" hamstring injury

The £27 million summer signing from Borussia Dortmund was just beginning to find his feet and put in some noteworthy displays after recovering from a persistent achilles tendon problem, but Fullkrug now finds himself back on the sidelines.

West Ham consider signing £40m England international who's told he can go

The Hammers have drawn up a list of targets for Graham Potter.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jan 11, 2025

The 31-year-old, who bagged two goals and an assist before his latest setback, will be out of action for months – as confirmed by new manager Graham Potter.

“It’s fair to say it’s a significant one,” said Potter on Fullkrug’s injury. “When a player pulls up like that you know something fairly serious has happened.

“It’s still early in terms of full diagnosis but nevertheless a significant one, a number of weeks. Months? A number of weeks probably adds up to months, yes. So yeah, I would say that.

“Crysencio felt something after about 35 minutes and finished the first half, but probably not at 100 per cent. It’s touch and go but probably erring towards the negative at the moment, but we’ll see.

“We’ve got some attacking options so my focus at the moment is on the team and on how to get the team to function as well as possible, with a view to being competitive and trying to win against Fulham.”

While Potter appears to be downplaying the need for another number nine, Michail Antonio’s horrific car crash, which means he’ll reportedly be out for around a year, leaves West Ham’s boss with just one recognised natural striker in Danny Ings.

Jarrod Bowen played there as a makeshift option under Julen Lopetegui, but the England forward is also unavailable for selection. This has prompted numerous reports linking the east Londoners with a proven goalscorer, and it is reported that West Ham had a recent bid rejected for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran.

West Ham planning January loan bid for Marseille striker Elye Wahi

According to esteemed French newspaper L’Equipe, Marseille striker Elye Wahi has found his way onto Tim Steidten and David Sullivan’s radar.

The 22-year-old only joined Roberto De Zerbi’s side from Lens last summer, but he’s managed just three goals in all competitions across 14 total appearances. Interestingly, Wahi was a target for West Ham back in 2023, so it appears they’re now revisiting a potential move for him.

L’Equipe state that West Ham have made contact and held discussions with Marseille chiefs over Wahi, as they plan to move forward on a potential loan deal, which would include an “almost obligatory” clause to buy him outright at around £21 million.

However, the Ligue 1 side are cautious after these talks, as they’re not that keen to part company with a player they signed for a potential £25 million (including add-ons) very recently.

In terms of his proficiency, Wahi scored 19 top flight goals in 33 starts during one of his best seasons at Lens in 2022/2023, with journalist Andrés Onrubia calling him a “real beast” back in 2022.

Liverpool are now leading the race to sign a “world-class” striker who rivals Arsenal love, according to a report.

Slot still keen on a striker

Darwin Nunez’s quick-fire double to secure all three points against Brentford may well have bought the Uruguayan some extra time at Anfield, but there is still doubt over his long-term future.

Arne Slot has been weighing up potential replacements for the forward, identifying Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray, as a target for the summer transfer window.

The Reds are also plotting a move for AFC Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, with FSG considering offering the Cherries £30m plus Ben Doak, who would act as a makeweight to reach the valuation of £50m.

Liverpool now identify £30k-p/w "box-crasher" as perfect midfield target

Arne Slot is keen to bring in a central midfielder after missing out on Martin Zubimendi in the summer.

By
Dominic Lund

Jan 20, 2025

Although Nunez may be safe for the time being, despite widespread reports linking the striker with a £70m move to Saudi Arabia, Slot could still choose to bring in a replacement at the end of the season, if there is not a major improvement in his performances.

According to a report from Football Transfers, Liverpool are now the club best positioned to sign Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres this summer, indicating they are leading the race for his signature, despite widespread interest from other top clubs.

Arsenal rate the Swedish striker extremely highly, while Newcastle United are also in the race for his signature, having now opened fresh talks over a potential move.

Manchester United are also named as potential suitors, but a move to Old Trafford is deemed unlikely, despite Gyokeres’ existing relationship with Ruben Amorim, owing to their poor league position.

With the Sporting star now in his peak years, he wants to move to a club playing in the Champions League, meaning the Reds could be well-placed to get a deal done in the summer.

The forward has a release clause of €100m (£84m) in his contract, but Sporting have agreed to sell him for a knock-down fee this summer.

Gyokeres performing at a "world-class" level

The 26-year-old has gone from strength-to-strength since first appearing for Coventry City in the 2020-21 campaign, having been lauded as “world-class” by members of the media earlier this season.

Over the past four seasons, the former Coventry man has consistently bettered his previous league goal tally, and he is on course to do so again after a phenomenal first half of the season in Portugal.

Although Nunez’s late double salvo secured all three points for Liverpool at Brentford, the 25-year-old has been unable to put in similar performances on a consistent basis, failing to justify his huge price tag.

Gyokeres, on the other hand, is now entering his prime, and has more than earned an opportunity to prove himself at one of the Premier League’s top clubs, so it is exciting news that Liverpool are now well-positioned to get a deal done in the summer.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has sent a Premier League title message to Liverpool supporters amid the uncertainty surrounding his future at Anfield.

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• Contract at Anfield running down
• Due to hit free agency this summer
• Has another title to his name

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  As things stand, the England international is due to become a free agent this summer. While Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have committed to new contracts, Alexander-Arnold continues to see his run down.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  He has become a two-time Premier League champion, with Liverpool getting over that line in 2024-25 with a 5-1 mauling of Tottenham, and Alexander-Arnold intends to enjoy the present before turning his attention to what could happen next.

• WHAT TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD SAID

  The 26-year-old Merseyside native has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, but no deal has been announced there. For now, Alexander-Arnold has said of Liverpool restoring domestic dominance: “For the City. For the Fans.”

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• WHAT NEXT?

  It may be that another major trophy convinces Alexander-Arnold to stay put, having already taken in more than 350 appearances for his hometown club. He may, however, decide that the time has come for a new challenge as he bids farewell to English football.

Rodri has returned to Manchester City training for the first time since his brutal ACL injury as he eyes a return at the FIFA Club World Cup.

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• Rodri out since September
• City endured difficult season without him
• Now nearing a return to action

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rodri sustained an ACL injury against Arsenal in September and has been nursing the problem ever since. The Spain international, who won the Ballon d'Or amid his injury recovery, has been forced to watch from the sidelines as Pep Guardiola's team have slipped to fourth in the Premier League table, with Liverpool crowned champions last weekend.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Now, though, Rodri has returned to training as City step up his rehabilitation programme. The midfielder is unlikely to play in any Premier League games before the end of the season, nor the FA Cup final, but a return at the Club World Cup is being targeted, per Sky Sports.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Rodri had been central to all of City's four successive Premier League title triumphs, but his absence left a huge hole that they roundly failed to fill. He has made a total of 260 appearances for the club, and has also won the Champions League, the FA Cup and two Carabao Cups during his time at the Etihad.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  City face Wolves, Southampton, Bournemouth and Fulham in their final four games of the season; they also face Crystal Palace in the final of the FA Cup on May 17.