There were a few positives to take away from the narrow win that Glasgow Rangers picked up on their travels in the Scottish Premiership last weekend.

The Light Blues won their first match of the league season, after four draws and one defeat in their first five matches, and Oliver Antman registered his first goal contribution in the league.

As shown in the clip above, the Finland international did well to hook the ball back into a dangerous area to set up James Tavernier for the opening goal against Livingston.

Unfortunately, goal contributions for Rangers forwards have been few and far between in the Premiership this season, as Russell Martin’s wide men have failed to deliver much in the way of quality.

How Rangers wingers have performed in the Premiership

Antman’s assist for Tavernier’s goal on Sunday was only the second goal contribution provided by a Rangers winger in six league games so far in the 2025/26 campaign, which is a damning indictment of how they have performed as a collective.

Output from Rangers wingers in the 25/26 Premiership
Player	Minutes	Goals + assists
Djeidi Gassama	525	0 + 0
Oliver Antman	272	0 + 1
Mikey Moore	171	0 + 0
Nedim Bajrami	52	0 + 0
Findlay Curtis	35	1 + 0
Oscar Cortes	7	0 + 0
Stats via WhoScored

As you can see in the table above, Findlay Curtis, who scored against St Mirren, is the only other player who has delivered a goal or an assist from a wide position for the Gers this season.

Martin’s wide players have, to put it simply, not done enough in the final third in the Premiership, which will need to change if the Gers want to string more wins together to get their campaign back on track.

Whilst the wingers currently at the club are struggling in front of goal, a winger sent out on loan by Rangers is currently outperforming them all.

The Rangers loanee who is outperforming Oliver Antman

Ross McCausland was sent out on loan to Aris Limassol on a season-long loan during the summer transfer window, and the Northern Ireland international has impressed in Cyprus.

The Rangers academy graduate has delivered three goals and one assist in four league matches for Aris to date, which means that he has more goal contributions at league level (four) than every Gers winger combined (two) this season, per Sofascore.

McCausland, who scored seven goals and provided seven assists in 66 matches for Rangers (Transfermarkt), only started four times in the Premiership for the Ibrox giants in the 2024/25 campaign, including a game at right wing-back that saw him sent off against Aberdeen.

Looking back, the Gers may regret that he did not get more opportunities in his natural position, as a right winger, given what he has achieved in such a short time in Cyprus.

Journalist Scott McBurns has revealed that Aris are on course to trigger their obligation to sign him permanently in January, whilst adding that he is “attracting major European interest” because of his form for his loan club.

Rangers are set to receive a six-figure fee for the Northern Irish forward, which means that they will rake in less than a million for him. Whilst this is purely guesswork, the fact that there is “major European interest” in the attacker suggests that Aris could flip him for an instant profit in January or next summer.

This is why the Light Blues will regret ditching McCausland in the summer just gone, or at least for the less than £1m fee that they agreed with Aris, as he has gone on to outperform the current Rangers wingers and could move on to another European team next year.

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The Northern Ireland international may not have set the world alight during his time in the first-team at Ibrox, but he is still currently looking like a better option than what Martin has at his disposal.

Paris Saint-Germain were dealt a lethal blow on Wednesday evening during a Ligue 1 encounter against Lorient, as star attacker Desire Doue suffered an injury. The youngster had to be stretchered off in tears and new reports suggest the former Rennes prodigy will be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, deepening the crisis at Parc des Princes amid a mounting injury list.

Doue injury piles on to PSG's misery

PSG turned in a lacklustre display against Lorient on Wednesday, missing the chance to extend their slim lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table, which now stands at just one point. Despite dominating possession with 79 per cent of the ball and largely keeping the hosts pinned back, Luis Enrique’s side had to settle for a frustrating draw – and their evening was further exacerbated with an injury to star forward Doue.

Around the hour mark, as he prepared to be substituted, Doue suddenly collapsed on the touchline after delivering a final cross, clutching his right thigh in visible pain. His anguished expression and muffled cry immediately prompted concern, with medical staff rushing to his aid amid fears of a serious setback. For a player who had only recently returned from a muscle injury, this latest misfortune struck like a bolt from the blue. 

The medics rushed him off the pitch on a stretcher, implying that the 20-year-old will be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. reported that Doue left the Stade du Moustoir on crutches – a heartbreaking setback for the young attacker, who picked up a calf injury during international duty with France in September. After the match, a downcast Enrique appeared visibly affected by the blow to his player.

AdvertisementAFPForward facing a long absence ahead

According to initial reports, PSG could be dealt a huge blow as Doue is facing a serious injury. The daily newspaper reports a tear, the most severe type of muscle injury. This means several weeks away from the pitch. And with the Champions League stretching until mid-December, Doue's hopes of returning to European competition this year are already fading. The coaching staff will not take any risks. Repeated muscle problems call for caution and patience, especially for such a promising player. Les Parisiens' attack loses a player capable of bringing impact, freshness and solutions to an already busy schedule.

"I don't know, I'm not the doctor, but it's not good news. I didn't see the images, it was on the other side of the pitch." Enrique told reporters after the game, unable to hide his concern and disappointment. "It's always bad news when there are injuries. It's a strange injury; I don't know exactly his condition. I hope it's not a serious injury."

PSG concerned about Doue's injury woes

The young French international still has physical reserves to build up, but PSG are concerned about this string of setbacks. In September, Doue had already missed four weeks after suffering a right calf injury while playing for Les Bleus against Ukraine. He returned on October 17 against Strasbourg. Less than a fortnight later, he has been sidelined once again.

Two consecutive setbacks to the same leg are raising questions. PSG will have to monitor the player closely, strengthen his muscle preparation and protect his future. The club has high hopes for him, especially with 2026 approaching and its big goals, including the race for the Ligue 1 title and the ambition to retain the Champions League. Not to mention the World Cup in the United States, which awaits him at the end of next season.

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AFPPSG hoping Doue can be back to his best in 2026

This injury complicates Luis Enrique's plans. Already facing absences in attack, the manager must now cope without Doue for more than a month. The team loses variety and depth on the wings, while matches follow one another at a frenetic pace.

Despite everything, the Champions League holders are used to overcoming this type of challenge. The coaching staff is counting on the depth of the squad and the rise of other young players. But this injury also serves as a reminder of a simple truth that is sometimes forgotten in the euphoria of great victories. The bodies of these young talents are forged in adversity and are not immune to human limitations.

Doue will now have to rebuild himself, regain his confidence and come back even stronger. His absence will be felt, but the club believes in him. The goal now is to see him back at his best for the coming year, when PSG will once again be aiming for the top. The evening in Lorient was supposed to be uneventful. It ended up being a turning point, and PSG hope that this setback will not dampen the momentum of a player who is destined for a bright future.

What defines a legend? A modern-great? In Arsenal terms, it’s Thierry Henry, the club’s record goalscorer.

It’s also Dennis Bergkamp. It’s Tony Adams. All three icons are cast in bronze outside the Emirates Stadium.

It’s also Arsene Wenger. While his stint in north London ended without many trophies, he is the most successful Gunners manager in the modern era. He was the one who drove the move from Highbury to the Emirates. He was the one who achieved a double, the one who reached a Champions League final.

He is also the only manager to have a golden Premier League trophy. No club in history since the old English First Division was rebranded have achieved an unbeaten season. Few have brought as much to the game as Mr Wenger.

Current boss Mikel Arteta has a great deal to achieve before he can be recognised in the same light but a major trophy come the end of 2025/26 would undoubtedly help.

It’s safe to say Bukayo Saka is certainly also heading down the legendary route.

Where Bukayo Saka ranks among Arsenal players in the Emirates era

The date was 29th November 2018. The setting: a freezing cold stadium in Ukraine. The opposition were Vorskla Poltava. What was the significance? Well, Saka made his first-team debut for the Gunners.

Brought into the fray by Unai Emery, he appeared from the bench in a 3-0 win aged 17 years, two months and 24 hours.

Since then, it’s safe to say the winger hasn’t looked back. Initially making his first forays at senior level as a left-back, even appearing there during Arteta’s first match in charge, he is now one of the best wingers in the world.

Only a few weeks ago, he cemented himself as one of the finest players of the Emirates era by registering his 100th goal involvement in his 200th Premier League clash, finding the net from the penalty spot against West Ham last time out.

The poster boy for this Arsenal team and indeed the Arteta project, journalist Charles Watts claimed he was “the best right winger in the world” back in 2023 and while Mo Salah may have overtaken him in that regard, certainly in the Premier League, he’s still right up there.

As far as Emirates Stadium icons go, he sits very close to the top of the tree. Other candidates include current teammates William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Declan Rice is up there too.

Yet, does he come close to eclipsing the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie? Considering the way in which the pair left, you’d have to say yes at this current moment in time.

Does he eclipse Mesut Ozil? The German is one of the finest playmakers we’ve ever seen over the last two decades but even his time in the English capital ended in tears.

Alexis Sanchez left in strange circumstances as well but Saka still has some way to go before he eclipses the Chilean’s numbers. He found the net on 80 occasions in 166 matches, most notably scoring 30 times in the 2016/17 campaign. Saka’s best season in front of goal stands at 18 so there is room for improvement there.

The club’s number 7 is no doubt already a club icon but who’s next on the conveyor belt of talent?

Arsenal star could become an all-timer like Saka

Saka is Hale End. He has served as the inspiration for a whole number of footballers trying to make the jump from academy to first-team life.

His influence has already proven to be a beacon for the likes of Max Dowman and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Lewis-Skelly earned his England debut last term and Dowman is currently the talk of the town having become the second-youngest player in Premier League history when he made his top-flight debut at the age of 15 a couple of months ago.

1. Ethan Nwaneri

15 years, 5 months

2. Max Dowman

15 years, 7 months

3. Jeremy Monga

15 years, 8 months

4. Harvey Elliott

16 years, 1 month

5. Matthew Briggs

16 years, 2 months

Dowman is the shiny new toy and so it’s easy to forget about fellow Hale Ender Ethan Nwaneri.

Now 18, Nwaneri is the only player to make his Premier League bow at a younger age than Dowman and since then, he’s gone from strength to strength.

While he is yet to find the net in 2025/26, largely now playing as an attacking midfielder, he showcased that he was a true game-changer in 2024/25.

Last campaign, the teenager predominantly played on the right flank when Saka was out injured and he made a remarkable impact. In total, the youngster bagged nine goals in 37 matches and created two assists. One of those included a stunner in the rout over Manchester City.

He earned rave reviews in the process. After starring in the Champions League, TNT Sport pundit Joe Cole stated that Nwaneri was “the most exciting footballer in England and maybe Europe.” Fine praise indeed.

Cole is certainly a huge fan of the teenager, remarking at another point in the season that he was like the great Lionel Messi.

“These touches he produces in and around the box, I don’t want to say it, but it’s like Messi,” the former Chelsea star said. “I don’t want to put any more pressure on the kid’s shoulders, I’m sure he’ll deal with it. He plays with such confidence and he’s a beautiful player.”

After such an impressive season, it’s easy to forget just how young this kid is. Dowman is getting all of the hype now but let’s shine a light on Nwaneri again.

He may have only played 145 minutes in the Premier League this term but he is already streets ahead of his peers in the same age group. Some might argue he’s also ahead of Saka at the same age.

During the England international’s first full campaign a senior player he only beat the goalkeeper on four occasions. Nwaneri had five more.

So, there are still plenty of reasons to be excited about the teenager, particularly as in the words of Arsenal content creator Leo Da Silva, he has the potential to be “an all-time like Saka.”

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Everton’s 2025/26 campaign has begun in quietly impressive fashion.

Under David Moyes, the Toffees look more disciplined, cohesive, and self-assured than they have in years.

The club sits eighth in the Premier League with three wins and eleven points, having beaten Wolves, Brighton, and most recently Crystal Palace, where a dramatic 93rd-minute winner from Jack Grealish ended the visitors’ 19-match unbeaten run.

It’s been a steady rise for a side that finished 13th last season after a late-season surge under Moyes.

The Scot has instilled the same resilience and structure that defined his first spell at Goodison Park, combining tactical discipline with freedom in attack.

Everton’s football has become more pragmatic, but it’s also more purposeful.

Moyes’ entire side seems revitalised – the pressing is sharper, transitions quicker, and confidence higher.

The upcoming trip to Manchester City will provide a true test of their progress, but the early signs suggest Everton have rediscovered an identity built on energy, hard work, and belief.

Grealish’s resurgence under Moyes

Few stories in the Premier League have been as satisfying as Grealish’s revival.

Once a peripheral figure at Manchester City – limited to just 721 minutes last season, starting only seven matches – the 30-year-old has looked reborn since trading sky blue for royal blue.

After struggling with hip and groin injuries that sidelined him for 17 games over the past two seasons, Grealish is finally playing with freedom again.

Under Moyes, he has been encouraged to express himself but with structure – the blend of tactical discipline and creative liberty that once made him one of Europe’s most sought-after wide players.

In just seven games for Everton this season, he has already registered one goal and four assists in 557 minutes – almost matching his entire output from last season.

Jack Grealish – 2024/25

Matches Played

7

Goals

1

Assists

1

Progressive Carries

69

Progressive Passes

52

Source: FBref

Moyes’ trust has allowed him to thrive; Grealish is central to everything good about Everton’s attack, drifting infield to dictate tempo and combining effectively with Beto and new striker Thierno Barry.

The data reinforces his improvement.

In his most productive campaign – City’s treble-winning 2022/23 season – Grealish averaged 6.27 progressive carries, 4.39 progressive passes, and 4.55 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes.

This season, his numbers are trending in a similar direction, showing that he is once again influencing matches both creatively and through his ball progression.

His ball-carrying remains elite, with 42 carries and 33.9 touches in the attacking third per 90, while his 84.1% pass completion underlines how safely he maintains possession in high-pressure areas.

Add to that an increased work rate – 1.10 tackles and 0.75 blocks per 90 – and you have a player fully committed to Moyes’ philosophy.

Thomas Tuchel’s persistent England squad snubs might have stung, but Grealish’s response has been emphatic.

He looks sharp, decisive, and fit – a player rediscovering the joy of football.

For Moyes, he’s become the emotional core of a rejuvenated team; for Everton, he’s the statement signing that signals a new era of ambition.

Why Dewsbury-Hall could be a victim of Grealish's form

While all eyes are on Grealish’s renaissance, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is quietly piecing together a redemption story of his own at Goodison Park – though his place in Everton’s best XI isn’t guaranteed.

The 27-year-old midfielder, who joined from Chelsea in the summer for £28m, has been one of Moyes’ success stories so far.

After a difficult spell at Stamford Bridge – where he was largely restricted to Conference League cameos and late Premier League substitutions, despite featuring in the Club World Cup final win over PSG – Dewsbury-Hall has rediscovered the confidence and control that once made him a “revelation” at Leicester, as per Brendan Rodgers.

He’s been impressive statistically, too: seven appearances in all competitions, one goal, one assist, and standout underlying numbers.

He ranks in the 74th percentile for pass completion (80.4%), 82nd percentile for progressive passes (5.46 per 90), and 87th percentile for tackles (1.90 per 90).

Defensively, he’s been immense – sitting in the 98th percentile for clearances (1.54 per 90) among midfielders.

Those figures underline his all-round profile: a player who can dictate tempo, carry through pressure, and win the ball back when required.

Yet, for all his efficiency and reliability, there’s a growing sense that Dewsbury-Hall may not be part of Everton’s most balanced attacking setup moving forward.

His partnership with Grealish has been a curious one – aesthetically pleasing at times, but frustrating in key moments.

Both players are ball-dominant, preferring to carry and create rather than shoot or make penetrative runs beyond the defence.

That overlap in style can sometimes slow Everton’s rhythm, particularly when facing deep or compact opposition.

Moyes has experimented with Iliman Ndiaye cutting in from the left and Tyler Dibling operating from the right, a combination that offers more directness and goal threat around Grealish, who’s thriving in a free role as a No.10.

In that setup, Dewsbury-Hall’s inclusion becomes less certain – not because of form, but because of fit.

Everton’s attack looked its most fluid when Ndiaye’s willingness to shoot complemented Grealish’s creativity, with Dibling stretching play on the opposite flank.

In that configuration, Moyes gains the verticality and unpredictability that Dewsbury-Hall and Grealish together sometimes lack.

There’s no questioning Dewsbury-Hall’s value – his tactical intelligence and work rate have been crucial in solidifying Everton’s midfield.

But as Moyes refines his system, he may have to decide between control and cutting edge.

For now, Dewsbury-Hall remains a key cog in the Toffees’ evolution, yet the competition for places — and Grealish’s growing influence — could soon push him from automatic starter to strategic option.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Oct 16, 2025

It is always nice to see an academy player make their breakthrough and impress at first-team level, at any club, and that is why Colby Donovan’s recent emergence at Celtic has been enjoyable.

Injuries to Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston left Brendan Rodgers in a difficult position, facing the possibility of playing a player out of position to cover in that position.

Instead of going with a makeshift right-back, the Hoops boss dipped into the academy to provide 19-year-old Donovan with a chance to impress in the first-team in recent weeks.

The Scottish youngster made his first three appearances for the first-team in games against Kilmarnock, Partick Thistle, and Red Star Belgrade, starting all three matches, before being an unused substitute against Hibernian last weekend.

Donovan did not look out of place in those senior outings for the Scottish giants, winning five of his six ground duels without being dribbled past a single time against Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League, per Sofascore.

The teenage full-back will now be hoping to kick on and establish himself in the senior side, as his fellow full-back Kieran Tierney once did when he first broke through.

Celtic's best Scottish talents since Kieran Tierney

The Scotland international first broke through into the first-team in the 2014/15 campaign, having come up through the academy ranks, and he went on to play 170 matches for the club in all competitions.

Tierney, as shown in the graphic above, enjoyed a terrific first spell with Celtic before his £25m move to Arsenal in the summer of 2019, winning five Scottish Premiership titles in the process.

Unfortunately, quality Scottish academy talents have been few and far between since the left-back’s initial emergence in the first-team for Celtic over a decade ago.

Kieran Tierney

£7.8m

Callum McGregor

£4.3m

Mikey Johnston

£2.6m

Jack Hendry

£2.1m

Liam Henderson

£1.7m

As you can see in the table above, Tierney is still the most valuable former academy star to have made at least one start for the club, whilst Callum McGregor, who came through before the defender, is the only other one who is worth more than £3m.

Ben Doak is valued at £14m, per Transfermarkt, but he only played 25 minutes as a substitute for the Hoops before his move to Liverpool, which meant that the Scottish giants did not get to experience much of his talent on the pitch.

To say that Mikey Johnston, a Glasgow-born player who has 17 caps for Ireland, is the most valuable academy graduate since Tierney at just £2.6m is slightly concerning.

Whilst Donovan will be hoping to kick on and be worth way more than Johnston, Celtic may have their biggest Scottish and academy talent since Tierney in a star who is out on loan.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Jude Bonnar is currently on loan in the Championship with Ayr United until the end of the season, gaining vital development and experience that he could bring to the first-team at Parkhead next term.

Why Bonnar may be the best Scottish talent at Celtic since Tierney

As aforementioned, Celtic have not had much success with Scottish talents coming through their academy system to emerge as regular starters in the first-team since Tierney, but Bonnar has the potential to change that.

The Hamilton-born starlet made his senior debut for Celtic in a 5-1 win over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership in February of this year, completing 100% (4/4) of his passes in a ten-minute cameo, per Sofascore.

His impressive performances as an attack-minded central midfielder for the B team earned him a chance in the senior side, after a return of ten goals in 55 Lowland League matches in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns combined, per Transfermarkt.

The teenage whiz, who was described as a “dangerous” player by writer John McGinley, also came back from his loan spell with Ayr to score and grab an assist in a Challenge Cup game against Alloa Athletic for the B team last month.

That performance and his overall form at youth level for Celtic show that he has developed a reputation for being a technical and attack-minded midfielder throughout his development in Glasgow.

However, the 19-year-old star’s loan move to the Championship with Ayr United has provided him with an opportunity to show that there is more to his game in the middle of the park.

Rodgers wants well-rounded midfielders who can provide physicality off the ball as well as technical quality in possession, as shown by the types of midfielders who play regularly for him at the moment: Benjamin Nygren, Reo Hatate, and Callum McGregor.

Bonnar’s last two outings in the Scottish Championship for Ayr United show that the versatile star, who can play in midfield or out on the flank, has added bite to his performances in the middle of the park.

Minutes

28

72

Ground duels won

2/3

4/8

Aerial duels won

1/1

2/4

Clearances

2

1

Dribbled past

0x

0x

Possession

1x

10x

As you can see in the table above, the teenage prospect has won six of his 11 ground duels and three of his five aerial duels, without being dribbled past a single time, in the last two matches.

Bonnar is currently being managed by Celtic legend Scott Brown, who knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a number eight for the Hoops, and he appears to be already developing the physical side of his game under the former Scotland international.

It looks as though sending him out on loan to the Championship to be managed by the ex-Celtic captain was a brilliant decision by the club, because the Scotland U21 international is adding physicality to go with his technical quality.

This is why Bonnar, who has delivered one goal and one assist for Ayr United so far this season, could go on to be the club’s biggest and most valuable Scottish talent since Tierney.

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The teenage talent already has the technical skills, as shown by his goal record for the B team, but his loan spell shows that he is becoming a complete central midfielder, which could make him an option for Rodgers to integrate into the senior team next season.

It will then be down to Bonnar to produce consistent performances in midfield to show that he is the biggest talent to come through the academy since Tierney.

Aston Villa have endured a challenging start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, but signs of improvement are beginning to emerge under Unai Emery.

Narrow victories over Fulham and Burnley have lifted confidence at Villa Park, though the side currently sits in the bottom half of the table, highlighting the inconsistency that has defined their opening months.

Looking ahead, Villa face a resurgent Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, a side renowned for their possession control, quick transitions, and high-intensity pressing.

Emery’s challenge is clear: to compete effectively, Aston Villa need midfield steel capable of breaking up opposition play while enabling progression into attack.

This balance between defensive solidity and attacking support will be key to exploiting space and sustaining pressure.

Two players who could provide that blend are the legendary Mousa Dembélé, whose career embodies technical control and forward drive, and Villa’s own hero, whose physical presence offers a defensive and transitional anchor.

Why Mousa Dembele is the Premier League's midfield benchmark

Though retired, Mousa Dembele’s career offers a perfect reference point for the type of midfield steel Villa require.

The Belgian midfielder, during his seven-year tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, combined exceptional technical skill with immense physicality.

Known for his ability to retain possession under pressure, progress the ball through crowded midfield areas, and link defence with attack seamlessly, Dembélé became a pivotal figure in the Premier League.

Across over 250 Premier League appearances for Spurs, Dembele excelled in key metrics such as progressive carries, progressive passes, and successful take-ons under pressure.

He also contributed defensively, intercepting passes, breaking up opposition attacks, and maintaining possession in critical areas.

His playing style allowed creative teammates the freedom to operate higher up the pitch while giving managers confidence that the midfield remained stable and balanced.

For Villa, Dembele’s blueprint is instructive.

In matches like Sunday’s clash at Spurs, they will need players who can control possession in central areas, dictate tempo, and facilitate progression into attack.

Emery’s side requires someone capable of shielding the back line while providing outlets for forwards like Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers.

Villa’s ability to press effectively, transition quickly, and retain control under pressure depends on such a midfield figure – combining technical proficiency, tactical intelligence, and physical resilience.

Aston Villa's own Dembele must start

Amadou Onana, standing at 6 foot 5 and described as a “one-man army” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, brings the kind of physical presence Villa need to complement technical midfielders and provide defensive reassurance.

Signed from Everton in July 2024 for a reported £50m, Onana has made 37 appearances for Villa as of October 2025, contributing six goals since his arrival.

While he has not yet been directly involved in assists or goals this season, his impact is felt in his ability to dominate central areas, win duels, and break opposition lines, all critical for progression into attack.

Onana’s style suits Emery’s requirement for midfield steel, with now the time for him to potentially replace young Lamare Bogarde in the centre of the park.

His height and strength give Villa an aerial advantage, particularly against teams like Spurs that rely on intricate passing and late runs into the box.

Goals

3

Shots

19

Progressive Carries

31

Progressive Passes

83

Shot-Creating Actions

34

Onana’s composure on the ball allows Villa to control possession in congested areas and drive attacking transitions effectively, ensuring he is the perfect replacement for Bogarde on Sunday.

He has demonstrated versatility, capable of operating as a deep-lying pivot, a box-to-box presence, or in more advanced positions to link defence with forward play.

This physical presence, combined with his technical ability, ensures Villa can both absorb pressure and initiate attacks.

Onana’s defensive contribution is evident: he averages multiple interceptions and recoveries per game, shielding the back line and providing a platform for players like McGinn to operate higher up the field.

His presence allows Emery to balance creativity and discipline, ensuring Villa do not sacrifice stability for forward momentum.

Against a Spurs midfield comprising experienced players like Joao Palhinha, Pape Matar Sarr and Bentancur, Onana’s ability to retain possession, control central areas, and facilitate progression into attack will be vital.

When paired with energetic, technically proficient teammates, he offers the backbone Villa needed to challenge for points and sustain pressing intensity over 90 minutes.

By blending the technical control and forward progression exemplified by Dembele with Onana’s physical presence and defensive discipline, Aston Villa are better equipped to handle the challenges of the Premier League’s top sides.

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ByWill Miller Oct 17, 2025

The home defeat by Aston Villa and a dire performance away at Monaco means the clash with Everton has taken on significant importance for Tottenham. And the Spurs boss Thomas Frank has identified the player who is most likely to pull the strings for the hosts as the visitors look for their first win at Everton since back in 2018.

• Mersey showdown awaits Spurs

  In-form Everton, unbeaten at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, host Spurs who are looking to regain momentum this Sunday. The Toffees, bolstered by the return of loan star Jack Grealish, pose a significant threat, especially given Spurs' current injury concerns and inconsistent form. Frank is feeling the heat after a Champions League draw against Monaco and a home league defeat by Aston Villa, despite having the league's best away record. The north Londoners have injuries to key players like captain Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie along with long-term absentees James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Reborn midfielder tipped to shine

  Spurs' Danish boss is wary of Jack Grealish, who is excelling on a season-long loan at Everton after falling out of favour at Manchester City. He’s scored one goal and registered four assists in his first seven league matches, going some way to replicating the form he showed at Aston Villa. His impressive start earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.

• High praise from Spurs boss Frank

  Frank said: "He (Grealish) is their main creator, no doubt about that. He’s so dangerous, he can create something out of nothing in every game. So, of course, we need to be aware of him. Beto has been good up front and (Illiman) Ndiaye has been very good. I think (Kiernan) Dewsbury-Hall has been good after maybe not being on top at Chelsea. And then a good colleague and friend of mine, David Moyes, is in charge and his team as a whole is very, very competitive. He’s a manager that I admire and a person I respect massively in the game."

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  Injury woes continue for Spurs

  On the mounting injury list, Frank said: "Cuti just walked out on the grass running, some of the performance guys, so positive, progressing, no time frame, but I don't expect it to be a longer one. Destiny is not on the grass yet, but still progressing, so again, not a longer one. With Dominic, it's positive, he's taking steps in the right direction every day, was on the grass again today on his own, but has now a sustainable amount of pitch sessions in him on his own, so it's progressing forward.

  "Every head coach, manager wants all the players fit, and we get that, then we complain about the squad being too big, and then you need to disappoint players, but anyway, I rather want that, of course. It is what it is, you're right, I very, very rarely say anything about injuries, because it is what it is, I need to deal with it, and it's my job to put the best possible available team on the pitch and get it hopefully clicking. Of course there's some of these, especially Kulusevski and Maddison, proven players that prove in this club for goals and assists and creating things, so they would have been lovely to be able to use, but I think we have some very talented players who are growing.

  "Wilson, Xavi, I think Mo has been very good for us as well and I think Richie had a good start to the season, he tried to get up to pace, but the reality is that we are working very hard on getting the flow with the front four, and hopefully it will be better bit by bit. I think it's fair to say, I can't remember the amount of games we played, but there have definitely been some good games and good spells where we have been looking very good, so we'll keep working on it."

التقى ليفربول وريال مدريد، عملاقا كرة القدم الأوروبية مساء أمس الثلاثاء، في دور مجموعات دوري أبطال أوروبا، وحقق الريدز الفوز بهدف نظيف، على حساب الملكي، على ملعب أنفيلد.

وقد ساعد المدافع الفرنسي الدولي إبراهيما كوناتي، فريقه، للفوز على ريال مدريد، ولم يمر هذا الأداء مرور الكرام على إدارة ريال مدريد، التي شاهدت أداء اللاعب وهو يتغلب على هجمات الفريق الإسباني الخجولة.

ونشرت “فوت ميركاتو الفرنسية” أن أداء إبراهيما كوناتي كان يثير إعجاب إدارة ريال مدريد.

اقرأ أيضًا.. لابورتا يمازح مشجعًا بشأن هزيمة ريال مدريد أمام ليفربول

وكانت إدارة ريال مدريد تدرس بجدية إمكانية التعاقد مع اللاعب الفرنسي، منذ عدة أسابيع، حيث يسعى النادي الإسباني لتعزيز دفاعه والاستعداد لرحيل ديفيد ألابا وأنطونيو روديجر واللذين تنتهي عقودهما في يونيو 2026.

ويبحث ريال مدريد عن مدافع متمرس ليس كبيرًا ولا صغيرًا في السن، وسيصبح إبراهيما كوناتي لاعبًا حرًا في يونيو المقبل، وبالتالي ستكون صفقة مجانية.

وأصبح المدافع الفرنسي على استعداد لمغادرة ليفربول ويريد الانضمام لريال مدريد، وهناك اهتمام من ناديين آخرين لضمه وهما باريس سان جيرمان وبرشلونة.

وقدم ليفربول عرضًا لتمديد عقد إبراهيما كوناتي والذي كان يعد أولوية ريال مدريد القصوى، ومع ذلك أصبح دايوت أوباميكانو مدافع بايرن ميونخ على رأس أولوية النادي الاسباني بدلاً منه ولم يكن فلورنتينو بيريز بحاجة ليرى ما قدمه ضد باريس سان جيرمان ليقتنع بذلك.

وينتهي عقد أوباميكانو مع بايرن ميونخ في يونيو ولم يتوصل لاتفاق مع ناديه على التمديد وهناك اهتمام من باريس سان جيرمان أيضًا، وقد توصل اللاعب لاتفاق شفهي مع ريال مدريد ويمتلك اللاعب مهارة وخبرة وسيكون لاعبًا حرًا بنهاية الموسم.

Bell, meanwhile, cannot wait to bowl at Mandhana, her Southern Brave team-mate in the Hundred

Valkerie Baynes27-Jun-20251:32

Mandhana: ‘Shafali is a world-class player and always will be’

Smriti Mandhana vs Lauren Bell. It’s a contest Bell, spearhead of England’s seam-bowling attack, couldn’t wait to get stuck into on the eve of the opening match of India’s tour, the first of five T20Is at Trent Bridge on Saturday.For Mandhana’s part, she is looking forward to reprising her opening partnership with Shafali Verma, who is making a comeback – in this format at least – having fallen out of favour after India’s group-stage exit at the T20 World Cup last October and lean ODI returns at home against New Zealand later that month.Mandhana stood in for an unwell Harmanpreet Kaur at India’s pre-match press conference on Friday but expected her captain to be fit to play the first match. She was full of praise for Shafali’s efforts to earn her recall through the domestic circuit and the WPL, where she was the fourth-highest run-scorer with 304 runs at a strike rate of 152.76.Related

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“She’s had an amazing year,” Smriti said of Shafali. “Once the setback had come, she went to domestic cricket, scored bucket-loads of runs and had an amazing WPL.”No one had any doubts about her talent, the way she had come into the Indian team and dominated. She is a world-class player and always will be, but for her to go back and do what she did in the last year was amazing to watch. She deserves this comeback and I’m really excited to open with her again.”Shafali was the leading run-scorer in the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy (527 runs, 152.31 strike rate, 75.29 average) and the Senior Women’s One-Day Challenger Trophy (414 runs, 145.26 strike rate, 82.80 average) – as captain of Haryana.Shafali Verma was the fourth-highest run-scorer at WPL 2025•BCCI

Mandhana and Shafali are second on the list for most partnership runs as an opening pair in women’s T20Is with 2636 runs and a partnership run rate of 7.90.Bell was keen to catch up with Mandhana, her Southern Brave team-mate in the Hundred, albeit on opposing sides.”I’m looking forward to bowling at Smriti,” Bell said. “I’ve obviously played with her, we’ve had a few net battles at the Brave before, so that’ll be a good challenge, playing against her. It’s exciting to be up against some of the best players and that normally brings the best out when you’re playing against the best.”The last time I played India, it’s always been Smriti and Shafali opening the batting, so it’s a challenge we’ve had before and one that is really exciting. They’re both very talented and play differently, so I’m hoping it just brings the best out of us. As an England player, you really look forward to these series and thrive off the challenge and how good the opposition are.”Last summer, as England went unbeaten through their twin white-ball series against New Zealand, Bell was working on changes to her action, which is now more upright and allows her to swing the ball both ways. She is satisfied with where she’s at but by no means feels that she is the finished article.”In terms of that whole chapter, I’d say I’ve got into a really good place and I feel really, really happy,” Bell said. “But I don’t think you can ever say you’re complete as a bowler.0:56

Bell: ‘Looking forward to bowling at Mandhana’

“There’s always stuff that I want to get better, but the big shift and the big change, I’m feeling in a really good place… hopefully we’ve moved on.”Bell was the leading wicket-taker during the T20I leg of West Indies’ visit, which – like the ODI series – England swept 3-0, with seven wickets at an average of 9.72 and economy rate of 5.66.Her series-best figures of 3-28 in the second T20I at Hove were eclipsed by fellow seamer Em Arlott, with a Player-of-the-Match-winning 3 for 14 having made her international debut just two days earlier in encouraging signs as England prepare for a tougher test from India.”They’ll pose us a few more challenges,” Bell said. “We had people making debuts and some people playing different roles, so they can take a lot of confidence from that. It was a really good series to have first up in the summer.”Meanwhile, India have some new faces in their seam attack, handing maiden T20I call-ups to Kranti Goud and Sayali Satghare for a squad missing the experienced Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar.Mandhana said: “The WPL has been good in terms of finding new people and of course the domestic system as well, the amount of matches the girls play nowadays. All the girls have rich experience in the domestic format.”I’m really excited to see them. Young talent, whenever they come in, it’s always very exciting. Everyone’s been prepping well and what better place than England to come in as a pacer? Of course, they’ll take a lot of lessons out of it and I’m sure they’ll do the job for the team.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Cruzeiro tem um plano estratégico traçado até 2030 que engloba desde a parte esportiva até a parte administrativa e financeira. O objetivo é aumentar as receitas gradativamente até a meta.

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– A gente tem um planejamento bastante agressivo para a gente chegar a faturar R$ 1 bi até 2030. Essa é a nossa meta de receita. É super desafiador. Uma séria de coisas que tem implementar durante os anos – declarou o CEO do Cruzeiro Gabriel Lima em entrevista à CNN.

+ CEO do Cruzeiro afirma: ‘Ronaldo está colocando o patrimônio dele em risco para salvar o Cruzeiro’

A expectativa do Cruzeiro para 2023 é finalizar o ano com um ganho de R$ 250 milhões em receitas. O clube mineiro vem tentando trazer uma aumento nos ganhos desde a chegada da SAF de Ronaldo, porém ainda conta com diversas dívidas. A nova gestão ainda precisa lidar com débitos na Fifa que não foram agregados à recuperação judicial.

+ Próximos jogos do Cruzeiro: veja calendário, datas, horários das partidas e onde assistir

Na parte esportiva, o foco principal do Cruzeiro é não sofrer com o rebaixamento e, depois, ir em busca de uma vaga na Copa Sul-Americana.