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Not that it wasn’t before the short-lived return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United, but the centre-forward berth has been an even bigger problem in the years since.

Indeed, the 2022/23 season saw Anthony Martial score just nine times in all competitions, including just six in the Premier League, while January arrival Wout Weghorst netted just twice following his surprise switch from Burnley.

The following campaign saw an injury-hit Martial score just twice himself in all competitions, while new man Rasmus Hojlund did fire 16 times, albeit with just ten of those coming in the league.

Hojlund then followed that up with ten goals across all fronts last term, with just four of those coming in the top-flight. £36.5m arrival Joshua Zirkzee, meanwhile, netted seven times, of which only three were in the league.

The fact of the matter is, United simply don’t have a proven goalscorer to rely upon, with the recent defeat to Everton highlighting why that man Zirkzee – who hasn’t scored a league goal for almost a year – just isn’t the solution.

The latest on Joshua Zirkzee's future

In the absence of Benjamin Sesko – who himself has scored only twice following his £74m switch from RB Leipzig – it was Zirkzee who got the nod against the Toffees, having featured for just 90 minutes in total all season prior to that.

Rusty or not on his first start of 2025/26, the Dutchman looked painfully out of his depth at times, so at odds with the rampant speed and physicality of Premier League football.

There were moments of quality, including two well-guided headers and an inviting cross across the box, but the 24-year-old was largely ineffective up against the wily James Tarkowski, notably losing the ball 12 times from just 35 touches.

Provided a rare opportunity to flourish, the former Bologna man showcased just why he has been a bystander to proceedings for much of the campaign so far, further throwing into doubt his long-term future at Old Trafford.

Indeed, the latest reports have suggested that the 6 foot 4 enigma might have already said yes to joining AS Roma on an initial loan deal in January, having previously been named Serie A’s Young Player of the Year back in 2023/24.

While United’s options in attack will be limited even further by Amad and Bryan Mbeumo’s upcoming AFCON commitments, it would not be a surprise for Zirkzee to depart upon their return in the New Year, with seven goals in 55 total games for the club making for grim reading for any centre-forward.

There is a talent in there, with his fleet of foot and silky touch sparking comparisons to a figure like Dimitar Berbatov, although in United’s current period of flux under Ruben Amorim, they desperately need an out-and-out goalscorer.

Thankfully, INEOS have already signed one.

Man Utd's "homegrown Osimhen" can replace Zirkzee

With Sesko and Matheus Cunha both sidelined, it was stark how little attacking depth United had in reserve, with Mason Mount the only real senior forward for Amorim to turn to on the bench.

Bryan Mbeumo

6

Casemiro

3

Bruno Fernandes

2

Benjamin Sesko

2

Harry Maguire

1

Matthijs de Ligt

1

Mason Mount

1

Amad

1

Matheus Cunha

1

While 18-year-old starlet Shea Lacey was featured in the matchday squad, there were eyebrows raised at the decision to overlook his academy colleague, Chido Obi, with Zirkzee ultimately playing the full 90 minutes.

Obi was parachuted into the first-team set-up as a drastic measure last season, amid United’s injury crisis, having made eight senior appearances in total 2024/25, albeit without scoring.

Frustratingly for the 17-year-old – who did score on the post-season tour against Hong Kong – he hasn’t been seen since in the senior set-up, with Amorim suggesting that he had been promoted “too soon” last term.

There’s no denying that Obi did look raw, not least on his solitary start against Brentford, but he also showed flashes of his undeniable talent, having come close to converting from the angle in the FA Cup clash with Fulham at Old Trafford.

Signed from Arsenal in the summer for 2024, the free-scoring forward has ripped it up at youth level in recent times, scoring 32 times in just 21 U18 games for the Gunners, as per Transfermarkt, while following that up with 12 goals in ten U18 games for United.

With five goals in 13 this term in the age group above, Obi is again showing just why he deserves a second chance under Amorim, with the teenager representing the orthodox centre-forward option that Zirkzee simply isn’t.

Described as a “homegrown Osimhen” by Arsenal content creator Will Balsam, the Danish youth international might be the perfect understudy to Sesko, rather than Zirkzee, with Amorim’s set-up demanding a more mobile, dynamic option to run the channels.

Of course, Amorim is wise to be careful with the development of such a talent, but at a time when a string of centre-forward signings haven’t worked out, why not dip into Carrington again?

Not Lammens: Man Utd flop is becoming their biggest liability since Onana

Manchester United have a player who has massively failed to deliver at Old Trafford since his transfer.

1 ByEthan Lamb Nov 27, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos não deu tão certo com as suas contratações do ano e caiu para a Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro. Entre os culpados pela queda, existem aqueles que foram apontados pela torcida com um desempenho abaixo dos demais.

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No meio de jogadores que pouco entregaram ou ficaram abaixo das altas expectativas geradas, o Peixe está recheado deles. Veja a seguir o top 3 das piores contratações do Santos em 2023!

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TRIO DO ÁGUA SANTA!

Como vieram juntos e pouco fizeram diferença, é possível contabilizar o trio com o meio-campista Luan Dias, o centroavante Bruno Mezenga e o lateral Gabriel Inocêncio como apenas um mesmo pacote de reforços.

Desses, Luan Dias e Bruno Mezenga tiveram pouco tempo em campo por conta de problemas físicos. Além disso, vale destacar que o atacante ainda fica marcado por ter perdido um pênalti e desclassificado o Peixe para o Bahia na Copa do Brasil.

Gabriel Inocêncio teve mais tempo em campo, mas isso não significa que o jogador retribuiu com qualidade. Com 25 partidas disputadas, nenhuma participação em gol e alguns erros fatais na defesa, o lateral completa um trio que não vai deixar saudade para o torcedor santista.

JEAN LUCAS

O meio-campista chegou com destaque e status de salvador do setor do Santos. Contratado por 6 milhões de euros (aproximadamente R$ 32 milhões), as expectativas eram altas pelo jogador que teve seu auge no Peixe de Sampaoli.

Entretanto, apesar de uma reestreia marcante contra o Botafogo, o que se viu nos meses seguintes foi um completo desastre.

Sem marcar a favor do Peixe durante toda sua passagem, o meio-campista ainda conseguiu balançar as redes do próprio time diante de um importante clássico contra o Corinthians.

Vale relembrar também que o jogador estava junto de Marcos Leonardo no famoso episódio de indisciplina na reta final do Brasileirão. Para ‘fechar com chave de ouro’, Jean Lucas ainda perdeu duas chances claríssimas de gol diante do Fortaleza e, assim, contribuiu para a queda do Alvinegro Praiano.

VLADIMIR

Se tem alguém que o torcedor santista está na bronca, esse alguém é o Vladimir. Apesar de ser reserva, suas atuações tiveram ação direta em vexames da temporada do Peixe.

Herói da conquista do Paulistão 2015, o retorno do guarda-redes tornou-se um pesadelo. Em 2023, Vladimir atuou em cinco partidas, com nenhuma vitória, dois empates e três derrotas.

No Brasileirão, em três partidas disputadas, o goleiro tomou 13 gols. Boa parte deles foram levados diante do Internacional, na goleada vexatória por 7 a 1 sofrida no Beira-Rio.

Mesmo sem muito sucesso, Vladimir foi ‘premiado’ no meio da temporada com uma renovação de contrato até 2025.

حقق فريق نادي بيراميدز، الفوز على المقاولون العرب، بهدفين دون رد، في المباراة التي جمعت الفريقين مساء اليوم الثلاثاء.

والتقى فريقا بيراميدز والمقاولون العرب، ضمن مواجهات الجولة الرابعة عشر من عمر بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وسجل هدف بيراميدز الأول، البوركيني بلاتي توريه، في الدقيقة 9 من عمر الشوط الأول للمباراة، وذلك بتسديدة متقنة من على حدود منطقة الجزاء.

وأضاف الهدف الثاني لبيراميدز، اللاعب مروان حمدي، في الدقيقة 82 من عمر اللقاء من ركلة جزاء نجح في تنفيذها. أهداف مباراة بيراميدز والمقاولون العرب اليوم في الدوري المصري

وبهذا الفوز، يرتقي فريق بيراميدز إلى وصافة ترتيب جدول الدوري المصري، برصيد 23 نقطة.

ولعب بيراميدز، حتى الآن في بطولة الدوري 10 مباريات فقط حقق الفوز في 7 مواجهات وتعادل في مباراتين وتلقى خسارة واحدة.

وعلى الجانب الآخر، يحتل فريق المقاولون العرب، المركز الثامن عشر في جدول ترتيب الدوري برصيد 10 نقاط، من 14 لقاء.

Kira Chathli’s belligerent first half-century in the 2025 Vitality Blast led table-toppers Surrey to a 25-run win over The Bears to strike a psychological blow ahead of final’s day.In what may prove a dress-rehearsal for the final itself in nine days’ time, the Surrey keeper thrashed 65 in 31 balls, including five sixes. She shared a second-wicket stand of 93 with Grace Harris (37 from 25) as the hosts piled up 204 for 5.Laura Harris replied with a blistering 42 from 14 balls and Amu Surenkumar, who took 3 for 33 with ball weighed in with 36, but Priyanaz Chatterji’s 3 for 23 and 3 for 38 for Kalea Moore meant The Bears came up short on 179 for 9.Bryony Smith began with a spate of early boundaries before losing her off-stump with Harris was the one to initially pick up the baton, three fours from one Issy Wong over taking Surrey to 59 by the end of the powerplay.It was Chathli though who cut loose. Having survived an lbw shout from Hannah Baker’s first ball, the wicketkeeper/batter belted a full toss for six. It was the catalyst to a cascade of shots that cleared the ropes, the pick of which were two fabulous lofted drives which crashed into the sightscreen.Chathli’s 50 came in 24 balls and there would be one more maximum before she holed out, ending a gem of a knock.Harris, starved of strike lost patience and was caught trying to clear the long boundary at mid-wicket and despite cameos from Alice Monaghan (24) and Paige Scholfield (15) Surrey needed successive boundaries by Moore to get beyond 200.Davina Perrin was given a life on one when Moore just failed to cling on to a catch in the deep diving forward, but she quickly atoned, safely pouching Meg Austin next ball to give Chatterji an early scalp.Perrin didn’t make the most of her reprieve, lifting one from Moore to the safe hands of Harris at deep mid-off and Chatterji struck again to remove the dangerous Sterre Kalis, caught by Chathli standing up to the stumps.The Bears’ woes worsened when Wong clubbed Monaghan’s first ball straight to Harris and the former Hampshire academy graduate should have had two when Laura Harris lofted one into the off-side but Alexa Stonehouse failed to cling on.Harris, sister of Grace, celebrated by clearing the long boundary as she took 18 from one Tilly Corteen-Coleman over and Monaghan was similarly dismissed in the next as the Australian’s strike rate soared over 300. Monaghan though had the last laugh as Harris attempted to drive through the off-side and was bowled.Surenkumar cleared the ropes as the teenager and Natasha Wraith added 60 to keep the visitors hopes alive, but both fell in quick succession and despite a few dropped catches in the deep, Surrey closed the game out.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com pretensões diferentes no campeonato, Vila Nova e Ponte Preta se enfrentam nesta sexta-feira (15), às 19h, pela 28ª rodada da Série B. A partida será realizada no Estádio Onésio Brasileiro Alvarenga (OBA). Enquanto o Vila busca a vitória para tentar entrar no G4, a Ponte segue na batalha para se distanciar mais da zona de rebaixamento.

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+ Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades

Apesar da vitória no último jogo contra o Ituano, o Vila Nova busca voltar ao G4 depois de duas derrotas antes da última partida. Os resultados negativos contra o CRB e contra o Criciúma tiraram o Tigre da zona de acesso para a Série A. Mas em Itu o time voltou ao caminho das vitórias e agora está empatado em número de pontos com o Novorizontino, o quarto colocado.

Em situação oposta, a Ponte Preta segue na luta para se afastar do Z4. Apesar dos dois últimos jogos sem vitória, uma derrota para o Guarani e um empate para o Sampaio Corrêa, a Macaca ainda tem situação confortável com cinco pontos de diferença para a Chapecoense, que está em 17°. Mas para melhorar a situação e ter um campeonato mais tranquilo, o time de Campinas precisa voltar a vencer, coisa que não acontece desde o jogo contra o Londrina, quando venceu por 1 a 0 na 25ª rodada.

+ Veja a tabela e os próximos jogos da Série B

FICHA TÉCNICA
VILA NOVA X PONTE PRETA

Data e horário:15 de setembro de 2023, às 19h
Local:Estádio Onésio Brasileiro Alvarenga (OBA), Goiânia (GO)
Árbitro:Dyorgines JosePadovani de Andrade (ES)
Assistentes:Fernanda Nândrea Gomes Antunes (MG) e Fabiano da Silva Ramires (ES)
VAR:Charly Wendy Straub Deretti (SC)
Onde assistir:SporTV e Premiere

PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES

VILA NOVA:Denis Junior, Léo Duarte, Eduardo Doma, Rafael Donato e Rodrigo; Lourenço, Cristiano e Igor Henrique; Everton, Luciano Naninho e Caio Dantas. Técnico: Marquinhos Santos

PONTE PRETA:Caique França, Luiz Felipe, Edson, Fábio Sanches e Artur; Leo Naldi, Filipinho e Nathan; Eliel, Éverton e Igor Torres. Técnico: Pintado

Everton host West Ham United in the Premier League on Monday evening, and David Moyes will look to take advantage after the beleaguered Irons sacked Graham Potter on Saturday.

It’s no secret that West Ham have endured a torrid start to the season, and in fact, have toiled ever since parting ways with Moyes at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

The two sides sit at opposite ends of the Premier League scale right now, and while Everton are tenth, they find themselves with a glorious chance to return to the win column and put the frustrating Carabao Cup exit at Wolves behind them.

Moyes shuffled his pack for that midweek defeat, but by reinstating his side’s biggest stars, the Blues might just get the job done.

How Everton can beat West Ham

Everton have yet to taste defeat at their new home, and for that to change on Monday would be considered a big blow for a side looking to make headway after several years of imperilled fortunes.

But stranger things have happened, and West Ham will hope to use this transitional period to strike while expectations are low. However, with the likes of Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye returning to the starting line-up, Everton should have enough to breach a wobbly defence.

The Londoners’ xG allowed total of 7.6 is next-to-last in the standings right now, marginally behind pointless Wolves. This effectively means they have been poor in defence, shipping many chances and lacking the authority and coherence to repel danger.

Grealish must be excited to test himself against such rusted Iron, and Ndiaye too. But West Ham have weapons of their own, and the home side’s backline must have their wits about them.

Everton have enjoyed, by their standards, a fine start to the season, habitually slow to get into gear. And all this without their star defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who is now ready to return to the field.

Branthwaite has not yet kicked a ball at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but his form and fitness will yet shape the mood on the blue half of Merseyside over the coming months, and he will be crucial in silencing Hammers talisman Jarrod Bowen.

The return of Jarrad Branthwaite

Said to be “one of the best defenders” out there by journalist John Barlow, Branthwaite has settled comfortably into his standout role at Everton over the past few seasons.

And, for the second campaign in succession, he’s been absent throughout the early weeks. This proved detrimental for Sean Dyche’s system one year ago, but Moyes has staved off any threat of a relegation-battling term, having made some emphatic summer signings.

With the England star now fit again and in line to make his seasonal debut, the Blues might just shape into a force to be reckoned with, the backline reinforced and setting a rigid framework for the forwards ahead.

It might prove the missing piece of the puzzle to raise Everton’s game and rebuff a disorganised West Ham side.

Matches (starts)

35 (35)

30 (28)

Goals

3

0

Assists

0

1

Clean sheets

12

8

Touches*

52.2

51.9

Accurate passes*

31.4 (80%)

32.7 (83%)

Ball recoveries*

5.2

3.1

Tackles*

1.9

1.2

Interceptions*

1.4

0.9

Clearances*

4.5

6.3

Ground duels won*

2.5 (67%)

1.9 (69%)

Aerial duels won*

2.7 (68%)

2.1 (59%)

And it’s the forwards who are taking the plaudits in Everton’s team right now. The Toffees have been hard at work this summer, with Moyes adding Grealish and Tyler Dibling to pre-existing ranks boasting the fickle Beto and the deadly Ndiaye, who was the club’s top scorer last year with ten strikes across all competitions.

However, Bowen would love nothing more than to torment his former mentor on Monday night, and while West Ham have struggled this season, with two goals from three recent league matches, the Three Lions forward is one to watch.

Bowen scored three goals from his first six games against Everton, but has blanked across each of the past two top-flight terms. Curiously, those four fixtures coincide with Branthwaite’s return from PSV to Merseyside.

Previously said to be “unplayable” on his day by The Guardian’s Barney Ronay, the 28-year-old will certainly be up for the task. As per Sofascore, he has averaged five duels a game in the Premier League this season, also converting his only two big chances.

Bowen’s pace and tenacity on the ball serve him well, but Branthwaite would directly impede that facet of his game, one of the toughest tacklers in the Premier League.

As per FBref, he also ranks among the top 7% of central defenders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for clearances per 90.

Moreover, Branthwaite has a cast-iron relationship with the stand-in skipper, James Tarkowski, on the field, and his return to fitness will only raise the 32-year-old’s game once more.

Perhaps the most exciting part is that Branthwaite is still only 23 years old and has much still to learn as he marries his physicality and athleticism with a more cultured take on the technical side of the game.

The development and modernisation of Moyes’ tactics will give rise to such growth, to be sure, and while Branthwaite is an “absolute monster” of a centre-half, as he has been declared by talent scout Jacek Kulig after winning back-to-back Young Player of the Year awards on Merseyside, there is still room for improvement.

But the fact that he has the skillset to negate the threat of a talisman such as Bowen at this stage of his career bodes well indeed. West Ham are in disarray, and Everton are not. A combination of fluent attacking play and steely defensive work should prove enough for Everton to withstand against the advances of their opponents and strike them down.

Everton messed up selling their original Tyler Dibling for just £1.5m

As Everton place their faith in youth gamble, one former player offers a cautionary tale.

ByWill Miller Sep 26, 2025

Peshawar Zalmi needed to win of their next two games to set up what is likely a virtual quarterfinal with Lahore Qalandars. Fortunately for them, their task was about as straightforward as it gets. Beating Multan Sultans has not taken much of an effort for most sides this season, and they didn’t need to overexert. Ahmed Daniyal led a bowling effort which saw six bowlers among the wickets as the Sultans folded for 108, before Saim Ayub saw them cruise to victory with 7 overs to go.The Sultans had little to play for, but were playing in front of a home crowd as they chose to bat first. But Zalmi started sharply, and Sultans couldn’t break free early on in the Powerplay. Yasir Khan tried to lap Saim Ayub’s first ball, and never had the pace to clear fine leg, while an equally stuttering start from Mohammad Rizwan ended when Ahmed Daniyal caught him brilliantly at square leg.The tone of the game never really shifted. This wasn’t a contest of ups and downs, or even mild changes in momentum, so much as a steady, inexorable descent for Multan. Tayyab Tahir and Shai Hope put up a 26-run partnership, though the asking rate rarely threatened to exceed six, and it would only be followed by a somewhat predictable collapse.Tahir hooked one to Mitchell Owen at square leg for Daniyal’s first wicket before Ashton Turned was bowled round his legs by Maaz Sadaqat. Four wickets fell for six runs as the Sultans slumped to 66 for six, and it was only the odd slog from Shai Hope – and latterly Mohammad Hasnain – that helped the Sultans stumble past 100.There was little jeopardy in the chase, even if Owen holed out in the first over. Saim Ayub made sure of that when a pair of back-to-back sixes off Ubai kickstarted an over that conceded 22. There was brief consolation for Shahid Aziz after the Powerplay when he got one to tail in that cleaned up the Zalmi captain Babar Azam for another disappointing innings, and a slower ball which drew Ayub into holing out one run shy of a half-century, but they were a footnotes in a humbling defeat.Max Bryant, who has been involved only in a limited capacity this season, helped himself to a six and a four off Faisal Akram, before capitalising on Sultans dependably poor fielding when a chance was shelled at slip. The game would fittingly finish with a flourish from Bryant, the hapless Ubaid Shah tonked for three boundaries on the trot to seal a win that drives the Sultans further into the dirt. Zalmi’s hopes of remaining the only team never to miss out on a playoff spot remains alive.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is blessed to have an array of exciting talents coming through the Hale End academy right now.

Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman and Myles Lewis-Skelly are making waves at N5 right now, with the latter rewarded for his Arsenal form by England boss Thomas Tuchel as he eyes a place in the Three Lions’ 2026 World Cup squad.

Premier League’s youngest ever players

Age

Club

Ethan Nwaneri

15 years, 181 days

Arsenal

Max Dowman

15 years, 235 days

Arsenal

Jeremy Monga

15 years, 271 days

Leicester City

Harvey Elliott

16 years, 30 days

Fulham

Matthew Briggs

16 years, 68 days

Fulham

Despite being just 18-years-old, Lewis-Skelly burst on to the scene last season and fought his way into becoming one of Arteta’s first-choice left-backs with Riccardo Calafiori, thereby pushing established Premier League defender Oleksandr Zinchenko down the pecking order as a result.

Nwaneri, meanwhile, became the youngest Premier League player in history after making his debut in a 3-0 win over Brentford in 2022, with the sky appearing to be the limit for him.

Since then, the 18-year-old has racked up nine goals and two assists from 40 senior appearances under Arteta, and Arsenal initially hesitated over a deal for Eberechi Eze due to their desire for Nwaneri to be given more minutes this season (talkSPORT).

Nwaneri signed a new five-year contract at Arsenal in August, keeping him at the club until 2030, but the teenage talent now has another academy sensation to contend with for a place in the first-team.

That man is, of course, Dowman.

The 15-year-old became Arsenal’s second-youngest ever Premier League player behind Nwaneri after coming on in their 5-0 win over Leeds United last month, winning a penalty for summer signing Viktor Gyokeres to smash home.

Understandably, there is a lot of excitement around Dowman right now, and club legend Paul Merson insists he is just a “freak” for his age.

Still barely seen in the first team with just 27 minutes of competitive senior football to his name, former Arsenal keeper Graham Stack has now told Standard Sport that Dowman already reminds him of an England legend.

Arsenal teenager Max Dowman likened to Paul Gascoigne

Stack believes that Dowman has similarities with Paul Gascoigne, with the pundit hailing Arsenal’s “gifted” new teenager when speaking ahead of A Night To Remember.

While this bold statement continues to pile on lofty praise for Arsenal’s latest starlet, it is important not to put too much pressure on Dowman at this very early stage of his career.

The attacking midfielder has displayed real signs of promise, but the GCSE schoolboy is still at a preliminary stage of his development and needs time to grow before being thrust into the limelight so intensely.

That being said, there is still reason to be excited about Dowman, and Arsenal’s work with young players behind-the-scenes is continuing to pay dividends.

Julian Alvarez’s frustrations at Atletico Madrid have sparked fresh transfer speculation, with his former coach tipping him for a move to Barcelona. Hugo Rafael Varas insists Alvarez has 'never' been used in his right position under Diego Simeone and believes the Argentine forward should leave unless there is a change of manager.

Alvarez frustrated under Simeone

The Argentine, who joined Atletico a year ago from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £82 million (€95m), has not had the smoothest start this season. A missed penalty against Mallorca and his frustrated reaction after being subbed told the story of his frustrations under Simeone. With Atletico sitting 12th in La Liga after five games and just one win, the Argentine manager's system is facing more and more questions.

AdvertisementAFPAlvarez’s ex-coach slams Simeone over misuse at Atletico

Alvarez’s first coach, Varas, told that the striker has not been used properly, saying: "I don't see him comfortable at Atletico. I think he's played a lot of games on the wing, he's never played in the position he should be playing. I know he's told his family that he's focused on the team, he plans to play and do well, and his goal is to continue being the national team's No. 9. Today, Atletico is a team that defends a lot and attacks little. I see him more as a passer than a finisher. He's scoring goals from free kicks or outside the box. The team isn't getting much forward for Julian to be the No. 9 he scored goals for River."

Varas also suggested that a change could be on the horizon, either with Simeone or with Alvarez himself. 

"I think there will be a change at some point, either of the manager or the manager himself. Someone just told me he should go to Barcelona, and the truth is he's not at Barcelona because he didn't put in the money he should have. He would leave because he's always been a Barcelona fan. I'd like him to play for Real Madrid," he added.

Alvarez's bright start has faded

The 25-year-old, who scored 29 goals in all competitions last season, got the new campaign off to a bright start individually by scoring in the first La Liga game against Espanyol, though Simeone's men went on to lose 2-1. He failed to find the net in the next three games and, a week after he was taken off at half-time against Villarreal, he was subbed again after an hour in the weekend's draw with Mallorca. His replacement, Alexander Sorloth, was sent off within 10 minutes.

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AFPA struggling Atletico prepare for derby

Los Rojiblancos will look to turn things around when they face Rayo Vallecano tonight before hosting city rivals Real Madrid on Saturday in a huge test. All eyes will be on the Argentine striker, who is still searching for consistency this season and the right role under Simeone, as he looks to further improve on last season’s performance.

Very little is predictable in the final weeks of a transfer window, well apart from the fact Chelsea will be busy!

The Blues are currently finalising a deal to sign Xavi Simons, while reports suggest that they’re also in talks with Manchester United to bring Alejandro Garnacho to Stamford Bridge.

This would take the Blues’ summer spend above £300m, but could they leave their most important addition for last?

Chelsea target a transformational signing

Inarguably, the best signing of the Clearlake Capital-era is the £42.5m paid to Manchester City to sign Cole Palmer two summers ago, given that he has become one of the very best players in the Premier League.

Since, the Blues have signed a further 21 players, as the table below outlines.

Omari Kellyman

£19m

Zero

Tosin Adarabioyo

Free

41

Marc Guiu

£5m

16

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

£30m

36

Renato Veiga

£12m

18

Caleb Wiley

£8.5m

Zero

Filip Jörgensen

£21m

24

Aarón Anselmino

£15.6m

1

Pedro Neto

£52m

51

João Félix

£44.5m

20*

Jadon Sancho

£5m penalty fee

41

Mathis Amougou

£12.5m

2

Mike Penders

£17m

Zero

Dário Essugo

£18.5m

3

Liam Delap

£30m

6

Mamadou Sarr

£12.5m

1

Kendry Páez

£17.2m

Zero

João Pedro

£55m

3

Jamie Gittens

£48.5m

Zero

Jorrel Hato

£35.5m

Zero

Estêvão Willian

£29m

Zero

*appearances made during his second spell only

As the table documents, Chelsea have signed 21 senior players since Palmer’s arrival, some of whom have never and will never make a first team appearance for the club, but could that trend be about to change?

Well, according to a report by Julien Laurens of ESPN, Paris Saint-Germain are expecting to receive an offer from Chelsea for goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, with Manchester United and Internazionale Milano also noted as being interested.

Les Rouge-et-Bleu are actively attempting to sell the Italian national team captain, having just signed Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier for £35m, with a report by La Repubblica claiming that Donnarumma is valued at a similar figure.

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So, could there soon be a new number one in West London?

How Gianluigi Donnarumma would transform Chelsea

Despite no longer being wanted in Paris, Donnarumma’s quality should not be questioned.

Walid Acherchour of RMC Sport labels his performances for PSG last season “phenomenal”, while Mark White of Four Four Two believes he is the very best goalkeeper in the world, praising his ‘shot-stopping ability’, asserting that his game has reached a new level in the last 12 months.

Still only 26 years old, Donnarumma is vastly experienced, accumulating 251 appearances for boyhood club AC Milan, debuting for the Rossoneri as a 16-year-old, featuring a further 161 times for PSG since making the move four years ago.

He is also now Italy’s captain, racking up 74 caps at international level, very much on course to break the all-time appearance record of 174, held by his idol and namesake Gianluigi Buffon.

Should he make the move to Chelsea, he would surely be a key figure in West London too.

That’s because, as outlined by Nizaar Kinsella of BBC Sport, many believe the Blues still require a top-class goalkeeper if they’re going to challenge for the biggest trophies once again, noting that neither Robert Sánchez nor Filip Jörgensen ‘have proven themselves at the highest level’.

Donnarumma, on the other hand, certainly has, as the table below emphasises.

Goals conceded per 90

0.91

5th

Saves

35

13th

Save %

7.08%

20th

Clean sheet %

40%

9th

Post-shot xG – goals conceded

+2.2

13th

Crosses stopped

14

3rd

Punches

13

1st

High claims

13

4th

Errors leading to a goal

1

13th

Average SofaScore rating

7.1

16th

As the table highlights, Donnarumma was one of the very best goalkeepers in last season’s Champions League, a key factor behind PSG’s triumph in Munich, making crucial saves against Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa en route to the final.

Thus, while many of Chelsea’s recent signings have been acquired for money-trading purposes, viewed as assets or market opportunities more than key contributors, the Italian would instantaneously improve the Blues’ starting lineup in a way that, it could be argued, no one has done since Palmer joined two years ago.

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ByEmilio Galantini Aug 9, 2025