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Jude Bellingham has spoken candidly about the negativity and scrutiny that athletes face in the age of social media, admitting he’s had moments of self-doubt while trying to maintain a “macho image”. The Real Madrid and England star called for more openness about mental health in football and revealed why he no longer reads social media comments about himself.

• Bellingham opens up on mental health struggles and stigma

  Bellingham has reflected on the emotional challenges that come with elite-level football. The Madrid star, who has become one of the sport’s biggest global stars at just 22, admitted that beneath the confident exterior, he has often battled with moments of vulnerability and pressure.

  Speaking as a Laureus ambassador, Bellingham called for athletes to embrace honesty about mental well-being and reject the long-held stigma around discussing mental health in sport. 

  “With the development of social media and technology, there are more ways to attack someone, to make them feel bad, and I think there's still a stigma around talking about mental health," the midfielder said, as quoted by . "I know there have been times when I've felt vulnerable, doubted myself, and needed someone to talk to, but instead, I've tried to maintain that macho athlete image of 'I don't need anyone.' The truth is, I do, just like everyone else. And you'll feel so much better if you talk about your feelings and emotions.

  "As athletes, it seems like we have the world at our feet or in our hands: we can do whatever we want, make a lot of money, and never be affected by it. But the reality is that if we're able to show our vulnerability, it opens up a broader dialogue for people struggling in the dark. It's the duty of people like me, and those of us who hold these positions, to be role models.

  "I still think athletes are supposed to just shut up and take it easy, which is an outdated view. The love an athlete receives is extraordinary. But for every person or people who love you, there are others who despise you because of the team you play for or something you've done . That hate can be very hard on athletes, and I can truly empathize with those who struggle with mental health issues. Everyone has the right to their opinion about sports, but there should be limits to the horrible things that can be said . I'm not entirely sure how you can limit that on social media, but I think the support network around athletes is important."

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  Why the Real Madrid star stopped reading social media comments

  The former Borussia Dortmund player also revealed how he changed his approach to online criticism after realising the toll it took on his confidence as a young player. He explained that constantly reading what others thought, both good and bad began to affect his self-worth. 

  "When I was a young player in Birmingham, I used to type my name into Twitter and read everything that was said. But even if the comments were positive, I quickly decided: why should I let the opinions of people who don't know me validate what I think about myself?

  "I believed I was a good player before reading it on Twitter, so what was the point of reading what other people were saying? Of course, if I came across negative comments, it would have the opposite effect. So, again, I asked myself: why am I putting that on my own mental health?"

• Balancing authenticity and pressure in the digital age

  The Madrid star believes social media can be both a blessing and a curse for modern athletes. While it offers players the chance to connect with fans and share genuine emotions, it also exposes them to a constant stream of judgment and negativity.

  "There are aspects of social media that are very valuable for an athlete. More and more people are interacting with it, rather than with press conferences and TV interviews," he added. "When you can be honest and authentic with fans, it gives them a very clear idea of how you felt during a match or in your everyday life. It helps you become more relatable. However, as I discovered when I was a young player, there's also a negative element that I've now chosen to avoid, and I know many other athletes have too. There's already enough negativity and pressure in professional sports without going out of my way to seek it out. Now, when I read negative comments, they don't affect me, but I still prefer not to see them."

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  Real Madrid star determined to regain rhythm after injury setback

  The 22-year-old recently returned to action after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this year. He has made five appearances for Los Blancos since his comeback but was not included in England’s latest squad for the friendly against Wales and the World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

  Bellingham remains focused on regaining full sharpness after the international break, with Madrid set to face Getafe in La Liga. The midfielder will be hoping to get back in form as they continue their push to stay top of the league table.

  "The most important thing is confidence: when you have it, you feel like you can handle it forever," he added. "But when you don't have it, you can feel lower than low, like your feet aren't working, like your body isn't functioning. I'm sure there are ways to try to regain confidence, but you basically get it from performance, so it's almost a paradox. 

  "I always try to keep my confidence high, whether through self-affirmation or accepting the fact that I'm not going to complete every pass, beat every player, or score and win every game . The more comfortable you are with that, the more comfortable you are with knowing that you're not perfect. "

Tottenham Hotspur has been the home to numerous top-level talents over recent years, with the hierarchy nailing the club’s recruitment strategy.

Big money has undoubtedly been splashed to improve their squad as of late, but many of their additions have been worthwhile and have improved the options already in North London.

Eyebrows were raised when Brennan Johnson joined the Lilywhites, with the board forking out £47.5m to secure his services from fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

His early days were tricky to say the least, leading to abuse from sections of the fanbase, but he’s endured a magnificent rise that saw him end last season as the club’s top-scorer, even netting the winner in the Europa League final.

At just 24, he has bags of time to build on his impressive start to life in North London, potentially following in the footsteps of one of his compatriots at the club.

Gareth Bale’s time at Tottenham Hotspur

Winger Gareth Bale will go down as one of Spurs’ best-ever players after his impact during his time in the first team, starring for the Lilywhites on two separate occasions.

The Welsh international originally featured at left-back, before his hat-trick against Inter Milan in the Champions League catapulted him into a forward role – one that would change his career trajectory massively.

He registered 71 goals during his two stints in North London, with 26 of his efforts coming in the 2012/13 season, leading to his eventual £85m move to European giants Real Madrid.

However, he returned in the 2020/21 campaign on loan from the LaLiga side, scoring 16 times in his 34 appearances – being one of three players to register double figures that campaign.

The Welshman became renowned for his ability to cut inside onto his stronger left foot, often creating a moment of magic that allowed supporters to get off their seats.

Current boss Thomas Frank must wish he had a player of his quality currently at his disposal, potentially having just that had former chairman Daniel Levy kept hold of one talent.

The former Spurs player who could’ve been Frank’s own Bale

As previously mentioned, Spurs have shifted their attention to recruiting younger talents in recent months – a strategy that allows the club to have players to make an immediate and long-term impact in North London.

Ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, the Lilywhites first-team squad currently has an average age of 25.1 – the fourth youngest in the division – with Frank able to develop the players into the side he desires.

Their starting eleven against Bournemouth last weekend contained just one player over the age of 29, which hugely highlights the current recruitment operation in North London.

Such a focus has been evident in the past, when the hierarchy decided to fork out £25m for the signature of 18-year-old Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham back in 2019.

Despite his tender age, he racked up over 100 appearances for the Cottagers, scoring 25 times, leading to his big-money move to North London – similar to that of Bale from Southampton in 2007.

Both possessed a similar style of play, subsequently able to operate in any position down the left-hand side or even able to feature in any attacking position on the opposite flank.

Such a move generated huge excitement within the fanbase, but it’s safe to say that the move was slightly unsuccessful, with injuries massively plaguing his time at the club.

Sessegnon, who was labelled an “incredible” talent by Jacek Kulig, only made 57 appearances over a five-year spell at the Lilywhites, with numerous hamstring issues preventing him from making an impact.

The 25-year-old racked up three goals during such a time period, but was let go at the end of his contract in 2024, rejoining former side Fulham on a free transfer last summer.

Whilst there’s no denying he didn’t possess the same talent as Bale, his playstyle was similar to that of the Lilywhites legend – but ultimately struggled to demonstrate that on a regular basis.

It’s a shame such a move failed to work out, but Frank missed out on the opportunity to try and work with the Englishman, with Sessegnon forever remaining a case of what could’ve been in North London.

Sold for £28m: Levy hit gold axing Spurs flop now worth less than Bissouma

Tottenham Hotspur made the right call by allowing one player to leave the club in recent years.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 5, 2025

Barcelona are dealing with a mounting injury crisis with key defender Andreas Christensen joining forwards Raphinha and Ferran Torres on the sidelines ahead of Tuesday's crucial Champions League tie against Olympiacos. The growing absentee list, which already includes Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, heaps pressure on Coach Hansi Flick as the Blaugrana prepare for the season's first El Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday.

• Fresh defensive concern for Barcelona ahead of El Clasico

  Barcelona completed their final training session this morning ahead of hosting Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday, but the session brought fresh defensive issues for the Catalan giants. According to , Denmark international Christensen missed training and returned home due to general discomfort, building concerns around his fitness and uncertainty surrounding his availability in time against the Greece side. This defensive worry compounds a severe crisis in the attacking third, as forwards Torres and Raphinha did not participate in Flick's morning session and are expected to be dropped from the squad. The club are prioritising caution to maximise their chances of being available for Sunday's crucial El Clasico against Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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  Barcelona's troubling injury list and its impact

  The list of unavailable players now poses a major challenge for Flick's tactical plans. Torres's return from the Spain camp due to a strained left hamstring was initially optimistic, but his continued discomfort ruled him out of the recent Girona match, despite his excellent form this season, where he's been directly involved in six goals across 10 La Liga games. Raphinha, who suffered an injury to the middle third of his right hamstring, faces a longer layoff, now heading for a month out after an initial three-week estimate. These setbacks follow injuries to Lewandowski and Olmo, whose calf injury is expected to sideline him for three to four weeks, almost certainly ruling him out of El Clasico. The coaching staff has voiced deep frustration with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over the handling of players like Olmo, who reportedly continued to train despite initial discomfort.

  However, Flick in his pre-match press conference ahead of their match against Olympiacos, said: "We hope [Ferran Torres] be in the Clásico, and so will Raphinha. We're expecting him. When he came back from the national team, we did an MRI and saw a different situation. We have to minimize the risks, and him playing tomorrow would be a risk. We'll do another MRI on Thursday and we'll see. We have to take care of the players. The situation is difficult. When everyone is back, the situation will be different."

  Lewandowski's injury came across as a surprise disappointment for the Catalan side after they showed discontentment towards him for continuing playing for Poland in the World Cup qualifiers despite feeling uneasiness in the first half of the match against Lithuania. Barcelona officials are furious as they argue given the fixture schedule, the Pole could have acted more in line with the priorities at the club level.

• Flick's tactical shuffle and the youth injection

  Given the depleted attack, Flick is forced into a major tactical reshuffle. All signs point to loanee Marcus Rashford being positioned at the top of the attack, flanked by Lamine Yamal on the right wing and Fermin Lopez on the left. Yamal's return from a persistent groin injury is a much-needed lift; the 18-year-old winger even provided an assist for Pedri’s opening goal in his return to the starting lineup against Girona. To ensure sufficient depth, Flick again called up seven Barca youth academy players – including Diego Kochen, Eder Aller, Toni Fernandez, and Juan Hernandez – all of whom are now on standby for their Champions League debuts against Olympiacos.

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  El Clasico challenges and Flick's absence

  Both sides will enter the season's first El Clasico with depleted squads, adding unpredictability to the fixture. While Barcelona manage absences like Torres, Olmo, and the potential loss of Christensen, Real Madrid are also without key defenders, including Dani Carvajal, out for a month with calf injury and Trent Alexander-Arnold, out with biceps femoris problem. However, Barcelona face an additional with Coach Flick being absent from the touchline at the Santiago Bernabeu. Flick received a red card for arguing with officials over the amount of added time during the dramatic 2-1 victory over Girona. With Madrid leading La Liga with 24 points from nine matches to Barcelona's 22 points, the absence of the coach in the dugout for the critical match will test the team's ability to maintain focus and tactical discipline.

There is no hiding away from the fact that Glasgow Rangers have had a horrendous start to the 2025/26 campaign, domestically and in Europe, under Russell Martin.

The Light Blues swooped to appoint the former Scotland international, who had been out of work since being sacked by Southampton last season, but he has failed to win the supporters over yet.

It has been the worst start for the club in the Scottish Premiership in 47 years, with four draws and one loss in five games, after the 2-0 loss to Hearts on Saturday.

Lawrence Shankland, who was a reported target for Rangers last year, scored both of the goals for the Jam Tarts, as the Light Blues failed to offer a threat of their own at the other end of the pitch.

The Ibrox giants made 14 additions to their first-team squad during the summer transfer window, which means that there does need to be a degree of patience with some individuals as they get up to speed in a difficult environment, created by the team’s performances.

Rangers have seen it plenty of times in recent years when a player has a slow start to life at Ibrox before exploding into life. Malik Tillman is one notable example of that.

Rangers hit the jackpot with Malik Tillman

The Light Blues swooped to sign the USA international from German giants Bayern Munich on a season-long loan in the summer of 2022 to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

At the time of the announcement, Giovanni van Bronckhorst said: “He is an exciting young talent who will further add to our attacking options and myself and the coaching staff are looking forward to working with him.”

The Dutch head coach made it clear that he was a ‘young talent’ whom the coaching staff would work with, which is why it was not a surprise when he had a fairly slow start to life at Ibrox.

Tillman managed two goals and one assist in his first 12 appearances in all competitions for the Light Blues, as he struggled for consistency early on in his Glasgow career, per Sofascore.

However, the German-born star went on to end the campaign with 12 goals and five assists in 43 outings for the Scottish giants, which shows that he improved his output at the top end of the pitch as the season went on.

As you can see in the table above, Tillman ended up being one of the most impressive attacking midfielders in the Premiership in the 2022/23 campaign, as he ranked highly as a scorer, a creator, and as a dribbler.

This shows that the Gers hit the jackpot with the USMNT talent because they were willing to be patient with him as a loan player, which is something to keep in mind when judging the current squad.

Chalkboard

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

Whilst you may jump to Thelo Aasgaard as a direct comparison to Tillman, given that he is also an attacking midfielder and has failed to deliver a goal or an assist in his first three outings in the Premiership.

However, Martin is brewing the club’s next version of Tillman at Ibrox in a different underperforming Light Blues attacking signing – Mikey Moore.

Why Mikey Moore is the next Malik Tillman for Rangers

Unlike Aasgaard, Moore is similar to the former Rangers star in the sense that he is also a loan player from a big European club, Tottenham Hotspur instead of Bayern Munich, and is a young and inexperienced player.

Whereas Aasgaard is 23 and played 163 first-team matches for Wigan, as well as 17 for Luton Town, before his permanent move to Ibrox during the summer transfer window.

Moore arrived in Glasgow this summer with just three league starts in first-team football under his belt during his time with Spurs, as this is his first loan move away from the Europa League champions.

This is why it should not be a surprise to anyone that the 18-year-old talent has had a slow start at Rangers, despite his claim that he would like to be one of the best players in the world.

Moore has delivered no goals and one assist in five appearances in all competitions for the Light Blues so far this season, per Transfermarkt, assisting Nedim Bajrami for the opener in the 4-2 win over Alloa Athletic in the League Cup.

All of the teenage talent’s appearances for the Light Blues so far this season have come on the left wing, per Transfermarkt, but his career statistics suggest that he should be used more centrally.

As you can see in the table above, Moore has scored 17 goals and delivered eight assists in 15 outings as an attacking midfielder or striker, compared to five goals and seven assists in 27 games as a winger, on the right and left combined.

These statistics suggest that the English whiz, who was described as “fearless” by teammate James Maddison, would be far more effective for the Gers if Martin utilised him as an attacking midfielder or perhaps as a second striker behind Bojan Miovski or Youssef Chermiti.

Moore has looked a little lost on the left wing in the Premiership, completing 17% of his attempted dribbles this season per Sofascore, and playing him centrally could help to simplify his game and allow him to concentrate on making an impact in the box, rather than trying to beat three or four players with the ball.

Rangers had "athletic beast" on trial, now he's worth more than Chermiti

Rangers had a star on trial in 2023 who is now worth £7m more than Youssef Chermiti.

By
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Therefore, there needs to be a degree of patience with Moore whilst he finds his feet at Ibrox and Martin finds out how best to utilise his talent within the team, because his statistics in central positions suggest that he has the potential to explode in the same way that Tillman did.

Casemiro and Ruben Amorim have a few things in common. The Manchester United coach and midfielder share a common language; they have both played in the Portuguese top-flight, for Porto and Benfica, respectively; and they both been written off completely by Jamie Carragher live on Sky Sports. But the next time they see the former Liverpool defender, they can look him in the eye and tell him he was completely wrong.

Carragher produced one of his most memorable pieces of punditry in his 12 years with Sky when he laid into Casemiro after United were thrashed 4-0 by Crystal Palace in May 2024. The Brazil international was drafted in at centre-back at Selhurst Park due to a United injury crisis and had a nightmare evening that included being torn to shreds by Michael Olise for the first goal and then surrendering the ball in the build-up to the Frenchman completing the rout. 

Carragher, who had already declared that Casemiro's legs had gone earlier in the season, saw his opportunity and subjected the ex-Real Madrid star to a humiliating takedown on 'Monday Night Football': "I always remember something when I retired, a saying I'll always remember: 'Leave the football before the football leaves you'. The football's left him at this top level. He needs to call it a day at this level of football and move. A man of that level should not be going through what he's going through now, he needs to call it a day."

Last month, meanwhile, Carragher took aim at Amorim in the aftermath of United's 3-1 defeat at Brentford. He had already criticised the coach repeatedly, including claiming that he was only still in a job because he was good looking, and he showed no mercy on 'Monday Night Football' after United had lost for the third time in six league games: "This has been a disaster for Amorim and United. This has to end as quickly as possible."

Since then, United have won three league consecutive games, while at the same time Liverpool have lost four on the spin, leaving them below the Red Devils in the table. And Casemiro has been at the heart of this United resurgence…

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  Undroppable

  Nearly 18 months after Carragher urged Casemiro to tear up his United contract and head to MLS or the Saudi Pro League, the Brazilian is far from in the twilight of his career as predicted. Rather, he is a nailed-on starter for both club and country, the latter of whom he captained in their most recent friendly games against Japan and South Korea.

  And he is much more than just another name on the teamsheet at United, too. Casemiro scored and assisted in the 4-2 win over Brighton on Saturday, while the previous week he was one of the star performers during United's first win at Anfield for 10 seasons. He also scored what proved to be the winning goal against Chelsea in September, though he was later sent off before half-time.

  Casemiro might not play every minute any more as Amorim is very aware that the midfielder is 33 years old and with many, many miles on the clock at the highest level. But when he is not on the pitch, United sure notice it; they have lost four of their 10 matches this season in all competitions, but Casemiro has only started one of them, the defeat to Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season. He was an unused substitution against Grimsby Town, meaning he played no part in one of the most embarrassing results in the club's history, while he was suspended for the defeat at Brentford and only came on for the final 10 minutes against Manchester City.

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  On his way out

  But Casemiro is even more important than the results suggest. United have not conceded a goal with him on the pitch since Jaidon Anthony netted for Burnley in August, while within five minutes of Amorim taking Casemiro off against Fulham the previous week, the Cottagers levelled. When he was sent off against Chelsea, Enzo Maresca's side got back into the game and nearly levelled, and when he was taken off against Liverpool after being booked in the 58th minute, United lost their momentum and then their lead before Harry Maguire's late winner. He was also replaced in the 70th minute against Brighton, and within four minutes the Seagulls scored the first of their two goals, threatening a comeback until Bryan Mbeumo's late sinker.

  Winning at Liverpool, with Carragher on co-commentary duties, must have been particularly satisfying for Casemiro. But to be fair to Carragher, he was far from the Brazilian's only critic during a very difficult 2023-24 season. Casemiro suffered two injuries in his second season with United after a brilliant first campaign, and a couple of weeks after the debacle at Selhurst Park he was dropped from the starting line-up for the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

  Amid much confusion, he was initially named on the bench at Wembley, only to then be removed from the squad completely, and could be seen dressed in a suit while his team-mates danced on the pitch after pulling off the shock win over their local rivals. That looked like it might be his last act as a United player and he was effectively put on the market that summer as the club slapped a £30 million price tag on him.

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  'Intensity' questions

  Although moves to Saudi Arabia and Turkey were reportedly explored, there were no takers, and while there was some optimism regarding Casemiro's improved fitness that summer, it all went out of the window weeks into the campaign when he made two mistakes in the dreadful 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool and was taken off at half-time for the inexperienced Toby Collyer. Casemiro didn't start another league game under Ten Hag for six weeks. 

  Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy did use the veteran heavily in his four games in charge after Ten Hag was sacked, and Amorim started Casemiro in the first two league games of his tenure. But the new boss apparently didn't like what he saw as Casemiro was then an unused substitute in 12 out of the next 15 matches.

  The three games he did play during that period included him being brought on for just one minute against Leicester City in the FA Cup and an abysmal team performance in the 2-0 defeat by Newcastle, when he and Christian Eriksen were overwhelmed in midfield. Casemiro only returned to the team against Tottenham after an injury crisis afflicted Kobbie Mainoo and Collyer, and asked in January why Casemiro was barely featuring for him at the time, Amorim gave a less-than-complimentary assessment of the Brazilian.

  "We understand that Casemiro has other things nowadays," he told . "The intelligence he has, understanding the game, understanding where the ball is going to fall but we’re in a league that I can see, even in European competitions, the difference in intensity is big. And so, I feel that this team also needs players with a very high intensity. I needed some players in certain positions with a slightly different pace."

  Amorim would later criticise Antony in a similar manneer when he began to shine on loan at Real Betis.

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  Roaring back to life

  Casemiro roared back to life in the spring, starting eight of United's final league games and all seven of their Europa League knockout games, during which he contributed to three of the goals in the incredible extra-time comeback win over Lyon and scored in the semi-final first leg against Athletic Club. Those performances earned him a recall to the Brazil squad under Carlo Ancelotti, his former boss at Madrid, and it was a quiet summer on the transfer front as it was clear that Casemiro was still a valuable member of United's squad as he entered the final year of his contract.

  Amorim subsequently changed his tune, and in April he praised the midfielder for playing his way back into the team: "He wasn’t playing because I understood in the moment that he was not the best option to the way we want to play. But he continued to work. I look at my players in the same way. If they improve what we ask, they have the opportunity. If they play well, they continue to play. That was the situation of Casemiro. The credit is all to the player."

  Despite Casemiro's improvement, United did want to sign an extra midfielder in the summer. Carlos Baleba was their top priority, but Brighton were not interested in selling him, and United should be thankful about that because – so far – Casemiro has out-performed the 21-year-old Cameroon international, who was taken off before the hour-mark on Saturday. And so while Baleba was subjected to pantomime boos as he left for not moving to United, Casemiro was given a raucous reception from the home fans when he was taken off, his name reverberating around Old Trafford.

Celtic have failed to win three of their last five matches in all competitions and have been held to drab scoreless draws in two of those matches.

The Hoops failed to make the breakthrough against Hibernian at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon, despite creating seven ‘big chances’ to find the back of the net, per Sofascore.

Brendan Rodgers will be disappointed that his team were unable to score from 26 shots and seven ‘big chances’ at home in front of their own supporters, particularly as the result has left them second in the table.

It will be doubly frustrating because the Scottish giants also had six ‘big chances’ to score against Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League on Thursday night, but only scored once.

This means that Celtic have scored one goal from 13 ‘big chances’ created in the last two matches against Red Star Belgrade and Hibernian, which does not paint their attack in the best light.

Kelechi Iheanacho was the player who scored in the draw against the Serbian side in midweek, with a terrific finish into the top corner, but he lost his mojo for the clash with Hibernian.

Why Kelechi Iheanacho let Celtic down against Hibernian

The left-footed marksman made a terrific start to his career at Parkhead with a debut goal, from the penalty spot, against Kilmarnock to win the game in the 96th minute.

Iheanacho then registered an assist for Sebastian Tounekti against Partick Thistle in the League Cup in his second outing, before scoring an excellent goal against Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League.

His contributions across those three matches earned him a start in the number nine position against Hibernian, having come off the bench in the matches to score against Kilmarnock and Red Star Belgrade.

Iheanacho was unable to build on those promising cameos, though, as his performance against Hibernian left a bit too much to be desired, particularly with his play in front of goal in the 0-0 draw.

The Nigeria international played the opening 67 minutes of the match against Hibs and was unable to make the breakthough in front of goal, despite the team creating enough chances for him to do so.

As you can see in the table above, his teammates helped him to take four shots at goal and have two ‘big chances’, but he squandered his opportunities, including one from close-range that smacked the crossbar.

The former Sevilla marksman, who arrived at Parkhead as a free agent, will be hoping that he can improve his efficiency in front of goal as he gets back up to full match sharpness, given that the clash with Hibernian was just his second start of the season.

Iheanacho lost his goalscoring touch for the weekend’s clash, having scored in two of his first three games, but there is another player in the squad whose decline in form in front of goal is even more concerning.

Chalkboard

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

Rodgers unleashed Daizen Maeda on the right flank against Hibernian, with Iheanacho through the middle and Sebastian Tounekti on the left flank, and the Japan international produced an underwhelming display.

Daizen Maeda has lost his Midas touch for Celtic

In the 2024/25 campaign, it seemed like everything Maeda touched turned to goals. He ended the season with a return of 33 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

The Japanese marksman, who scored 16 goals in the Scottish Premiership, earned the Player of the Year award in Scotland, thanks to his prolific form in front of goal.

Unfortunately, it currently looks like last season’s exploits were a flash in the pan for the 27-year-old attacker, whose output in front of goal has declined since the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

As explained in the clip below from the Daily Record’s show, Maeda has “lost his Midas touch” for Rodgers at the top end of the pitch on this season’s evidence so far.

The Celtic forward missed two ‘big chances’, as many as Iheanacho, whilst playing on the right wing against Hibernian, per Sofascore, and earned a player rating of 6/10 from 67HailHail.

Unfortunately, missing ‘big chances’ has become a theme for the Japan international this season in the Premiership, as he has failed to kick on from his 33-goal campaign last term.

As you can see in the table above, Maeda’s conversion rate has plummeted by 15% in the Premiership, which shows that he has been far too wasteful with his shots in the current season.

One possible explanation for his decline in form is the fact that he missed out on a summer move away from Parkhead. In his pre-Hibernian press conference, Rodgers suggested that the attacker may have a “subconscious” thing holding his performances back because of that failed move.

Maeda scored 33 goals last season and may have been excited to get a move to a major European league, but the Hoops were unable to source a replacement for him late on in the window, and staying at Parkhead may have been tough to take.

This is, of course, just speculation, but Rodgers’ comment about it being a “subconscious” issue does point towards that being a possible reason for the forward losing his Midas touch in front of goal.

"Phenomenal" Celtic star looks like the biggest loser from Tounekti's rise

This Celtic star may end up being the biggest loser from Sebastian Tounekti’s form.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 23, 2025

Hopefully, Maeda can get back on track and start to show the lethal efficiency in the final third that resulted in him winning the Premiership Player of the Year award last season.

When Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United in 2013, he left behind a squad of Premier League winners. The Red Devils had just beaten rivals Manchester City to the league title, securing Ferguson’s 13th and final time lifting England’s greatest honour. But that trophy only papered over the cracks that would soon appear.

Keane said Man Utd star was "like Paul Scholes", now he's the new McTominay

As Scott McTominay shines away from Man Utd, one of his former teammates is now following in his footsteps – and it’s not Kobbie Mainoo.

By
Robbie Walls

Sep 19, 2025

Choosing his replacement, Ferguson turned towards Everton’s David Moyes. A Scottish manager who was beginning to make a name for himself elsewhere, Moyes likely reminded the legendary Man United boss of himself. On paper, the appointment made plenty of sense and 12 years ago, it was unlike the Red Devils to get things wrong.

Of course, as we now know, over a decade later, that decision sparked the beginning of United’s long downfall which has featured moments that go lower and lower in their history.

From a manager that stayed at the club and achieved so much for 26 long years, United gave Moyes just 51 games to make his mark before pulling the plug on his tenure.

At the time, the blame was sent the manager’s way. The assumption was that it simply had to be him. After all, he was the only change at the club, but perhaps that’s where the problem truly lied. Since then, five permanent managers have tried and all five have failed to do what Moyes initially failed to do as United remain sleeping giants.

Before Moyes arrived, however, things could have been so different. Ferguson reportedly approached a manager who soon became a Premier League winner, only to be turned down.

Why Jurgen Klopp turned Ferguson and Man Utd down

As revealed by the former Liverpool manager himself, Ferguson approached Jurgen Klopp before Man Utd hired Moyes, only for the German to turn down the chance to move to Old Trafford as he was already planning for the 2013/14 season at Borussia Dortmund.

It was then just two years later that he was approached with a similar offer from Liverpool, who secured his arrival and went from sleeping giants into a club firmly back at the top of English football. Whilst United continued to struggle, the Reds and Klopp won the Premier League, Champions League and everything in between.

No one knows for sure whether Klopp would have done better than Moyes, Jose Mourinho and others, but evidence from his Liverpool spell gives us a fairly solid indication of how things could have been so different for the Red Devils.

Neymar may be heading for the exit at Santos as the club have informed the player's father and agent that they are hesitant over offering him a new contract. The Brazil star is in danger of missing out on a place at the World Cup amid his ongoing injury problems and a move at the end of the year appears a possibility, with his deal expiring in two months.

• Neymar's future up in the air

  According to, Neymar Sr had established contact with Santos to discuss a potential six-month contract extension, since his son's tenure at the Serie A club comes to a close at the end of this year. However, the Brazilian outfit have not shown interest in extending his contract. The player, too, has a similar stance, as he has fallen out of the pecking order in the Brazil national team ever since Carlo Ancelotti took over the reins from Dorival Junior. Since joining in June, Ancelotti is yet to call Neymar to the national camp, and has bestowed his faith on other potential candidates in his position. 

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  Neymar's injury troubles continue

  Since 2023, Neymar has been plagued by injuries since his days at Paris Saint-Germain. His lucrative transfer to Al-Hilal did not make the situation any better, as months after joining the club, the 33-year-old succumbed to a cruciate ligament tear, which kept him out for almost a year. Soon after recovery, he again surfaced with a hamstring injury, finally leaving the club in January this year to return to his boyhood club Santos. But the hamstring issue seems to be recurring frequently, forcing him to miss numerous matches, not only for the club but for country as well. Ancelotti said of him this month: "Neymar can play at his highest level in this team without any problems. When he is in good physical condition, he has the quality to play not only in Brazil but in any team in the world because of his talent."

• Lionel Messi reunion on the cards?

  Although there haven't been any prominent decisions taken by the player's entourage, recent reports have claimed his reunion with ex-Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami in MLS. Inter Miami believe they will be able to afford him due to Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba's retirement, creating room for Neymar's inclusion as a Designated Player alongside Messi and probably Rodrigo De Paul. 

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  What next for Neymar?

  Neymar's contract ends on December 31, and until that date, he remains a part of Santos. His latest hamstring injury on September 19 has already sidelined him for over a month, and his date of return is yet to be known. However, if he recovers soon, fans can expect him to feature against Fortalexa on November 3, which is Santos' next game after a short break. 

Manchester City began the 2025/26 season with a point to prove after a disappointing campaign last year, where they finished 13 points behind champions Liverpool.

Pep Guardiola’s side were uncharacteristically inconsistent, struggling for rhythm and creativity.

This summer brought change. In came Rayan Cherki, Tiijani Reinders, and Rayan Aït-Nouri to refresh an aging squad, while a handful of younger talents were sent out on loan to gain experience.

City’s start to the new season has been mixed – four wins, a draw, and two losses after seven Premier League games – but one constant has been the form of Erling Haaland.

After scoring the decisive goal in the 1-0 win over Brentford on Sunday, Haaland looks back to his devastating best.

And while he dominates the present, Guardiola’s eyes are firmly on the future.

Most notably, on a 20-year-old striker currently making waves in the Championship.

Erling Haaland's stunning form in numbers

At 25 years old, Haaland remains the spearhead of Manchester City’s attack and arguably the most feared finisher in world football.

Valued at around £165m by Transfermarkt, the Norwegian forward has already scored nine goals in the Premier League this season, adding three more in the Champions League.

His sharpness in front of goal was evident again on Sunday when he scored in the ninth minute to secure three points against a stubborn Brentford side.

Haaland’s record in Manchester speaks for itself: 136 goals in 155 appearances.

His power, timing, and composure make him the ultimate reference point for Pep Guardiola’s tactical structure, even as the manager experiments with a refreshed lineup.

Beyond his finishing, Haaland’s work rate and movement continue to set the standard for the squad’s younger forwards.

Crucially, his form could be what drags the club back into the title race. For club and country, he’s netted a staggering 16 goals in his last nine matches.

Yet behind the scenes, there is an understanding at the Etihad that Haaland won’t shoulder the burden forever.

The club’s long-term planning is already underway—and that’s where one of England’s most promising young strikers enters the conversation.

Manchester City's future Haaland

Divin Mubama may not yet be a household name among Premier League fans, but those following the Championship will know the Manchester City loanee is beginning to deliver on his potential.

The 20-year-old, who joined City from West Ham after rising through the Hammers’ academy, has impressed on loan at Stoke City – scoring twice while wearing the No.9 shirt.

Stoke currently sit fifth in the Championship, and Mubama has been pivotal to their early-season form.

Having played in all nine matches so far, he’s shown maturity beyond his years.

Analysts predicted his success before a ball was kicked, with Ben Mattinson claiming he would be “one of the best in the Championship” if given a full loan spell.

Statistically, Mubama’s profile is hugely promising. Compared to positional peers in Eurpe, he ranks in the 86th percentile for successful take-ons (1.08 per 90 minutes), showing his confidence to beat defenders; the 91st percentile for tackles (1.21 per 90), evidence of his work ethic out of possession; and the 99th percentile for interceptions (0.54 per 90), highlighting his reading of the game.

Physically strong and dominant in the air, he also ranks in the 73rd percentile for aerial duels won (3.09 per 90) and 76th for blocks (0.81 per 90).

Internationally, Mubama has been capped at every youth level for England and made his U21 debut in a 2-0 win against Kazakhstan.

At club level, his rise has been steady. He scored 16 goals in 14 games for City’s U21s and already has senior experience in Europe, having featured for West Ham in both the Europa League and the Conference League – the latter of which he helped win in 2023.

He even marked his first senior goal for City in an emphatic 8-0 FA Cup victory over Salford City, a glimpse of what might lie ahead.

Mubama’s blend of technical ability, movement, and physicality makes him the ideal apprentice to Haaland.

The two strikers, though at different stages of their careers, embody Guardiola’s long-term vision: an emphasis on power, precision, and adaptability.

With Mubama’s performances at Stoke drawing praise and Haaland rediscovering his lethal edge, Manchester City’s attacking future looks secure.

If the young Englishman continues his upward trajectory, he could well be the next great forward to define Manchester City’s modern era.

Better than Haaland: Man City must regret selling "the best player in PL"

Manchester City let this top talent slip through their fingers.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 3, 2025

Manchester United are now determined to sign a “tremendous” midfielder, with it being revealed they are willing to make a £61m offer.

Man Utd want to sign new midfielder with Mainoo heading for exit

It has now emerged that Kobbie Mainoo could now be heading for the exit door, having failed to start a single Premier League game this season, with Napoli close to getting a deal over the line after a recent round of talks.

Ruben Amorim clearly isn’t fully convinced by Mainoo, having opted to give Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro the nod in the middle of the park for the most part, and doubts remain over Manuel Ugarte, who received heavy criticism after the EFL Cup defeat against Grimsby Town.

With that in mind, the Red Devils have set out to bring in a new midfielder, and Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton recently moved ahead of Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba on the list of targets.

According to a report from Spain, however, a different midfielder has now emerged as Man United’s top target, with it being revealed they are willing to make a €70m (£61m) offer for Athletic Club star Oihan Sancet.

United are determined to get a deal for Sancet done, as they believe he fits their desired profile perfectly, and scouts have been sent to watch the Spaniard in action on a number of occasions.

Man Utd preparing bid for £43m Gabriel & Saliba "hybrid" demanded by Amorim

The Red Devils are now readying a big offer for a January signing, with Ruben Amorim personally very keen.

1

By
Dominic Lund

Oct 22, 2025

The attacking midfielder hasn’t ruled out an exit, but his current employers are working on a new contract, in an effort to stave off interest from elsewhere.

Sancet enjoyed "tremendous" 2024-25 campaign

Many of the Red Devils’ other midfield targets, such as Baleba, Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, play in slightly deeper midfield roles, but the Athletic Club star has an attacking mindset, enjoying a fantastic 2024-25 campaign.

Indeed, the 25-year-old was a constant threat on the front foot in La Liga, amassing 20 goals and assists in all competitions, which impressed Athletic Club sporting director Rafa Alkorta, who described him as “tremendous”.

Sancet clearly has the ability to succeed at Old Trafford, but given his attacking mindset, the Pamplona-born star wouldn’t be a like-for-like replacement for Mainoo, who appears to be heading for the exit door.

Anderson, on the other hand, is accustomed to playing in a deeper midfield role, and the Nottingham Forest star recently displayed his ability to control matches, in what was a remarkable performance for England against Latvia.