Mary Earps really is living the dream, with the Euro 2022-winning Lionesses goalkeeper sharing a "crazy" throwback post that proves as much.
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Keeper dreamt of turning out at Wembley
Has won major silverware on that pitch
A lot has happened in the space of 10 years
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Back in 2015, Earps was preparing to sever ties with Bristol Academy and could never have imagined how her professional career would take off. A decade ago, she posted an image on social media of Wembley Stadium alongside the message: "I’d love to play here one day."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Little did she know that her dream would come true. Earps made her senior England debut in 2017 and has passed a half-century of caps for her country. She was a key figure for the Lionesses in their memorable European Championship triumph – which took place at Wembley.
DID YOU KNOW?
Earps – who won the FA Cup with Manchester United in 2024 before heading to Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent – has graced the home of English football on a number of occasions, at domestic and international level.
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WHAT MARY EARPS SAID
The 32-year-old is still having to pinch herself – as a two-time winner of the FIFA Best Women’s Goalkeeper award – and said to her Instagram followers when reminiscing about her Wembley post from 10 years ago: "Posted 11th of March 2015. Wow. So grateful for this crazy life."
Aston Villa are looking to bolster their ranks with a new forward in January and are ready to make a new offer to secure their man midway through the season as they look to recover from a downturn in form under Unai Emery.
Aston Villa claim Juventus draw but wait for win goes on
Aston Villa’s wait for a win continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw against Serie A giants Juventus in their latest Champions League outing.
A late goal by Morgan Rodgers appeared to have secured a vital three points for Emery’s side, only for VAR to controversially rule it out, leaving both sides forced to settle for a point at Villa Park.
While it is certainly not a bad result for the Villans, it continued their winless run, which now stretches to seven games and has seen them lose four times in the last month.
It is yet to have a major impact on their season, with Emery’s side still only three points outside the top four in the Premier League and well-placed to qualify for the next stage of the Champions League, but should it continue it is bound to have serious repercussions further down the line.
Aston Villa and Monchi eyeing move to sign int'l player in ÂŁ8m+ transfer
Aston Villa chiefs are keeping a close eye on a player who has many potential suitors.
1 ByBrett Worthington Nov 26, 2024
Fortunately for the Villans, the January transfer window is just around the corner, and reports suggest that NSWE could be active in trying to improve their squad in order to maintain pushes for success across multiple competitions. Now, they have been tipped to return for a long-term target.
Aston Villa ready move for "killer" forward
That is according to Turkish outlet Star [Via Sport Witness], who report that Aston Villa are back in the picture to sign young forward Semih Kilicsoy after having a bid rejected for his services over the summer.
The 19-year-old has continued to develop with Besiktas this season, registering two goals and four assists across all competitions and racking up 17 appearances despite often starting on the substitutes’ bench.
Dubbed “a serious killer in front of goal” by football analyst Ben Mattinson on X, he has caught the eye of several clubs with his performances.
As per the report, “Aston Villa plan to sit down at the negotiating table” in January, and will offer more than the alleged €18m (ÂŁ15m) that they were willing to stump up in the summer for the teenager, who still has almost four years left to run on his ÂŁ8k a week deal with Besiktas.
Semih Kilicsoy in 24/25
Appearances
17
Starts
10
Goals
2
Assists
4
Minutes per goal/assist
157
Yellow Cards
6
However, they will face fresh competition in the form of French giants Paris Saint Germain, who it is claimed “will reportedly bid in the region of €30m for the player and will offer him a four-year deal” in Paris.
It may mean that Aston Villa may have to pay over the odds to secure the talent should they be serious about securing his signature in January, and finally capitalising on their long-term interest in the Turkish teen.
Everton got a much-needed win against fellow relegation strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on Wednesday night. It was a commanding victory for the home side, who ran out 4-0 victors in the end after losing by the same scoreline at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford during their last outing at the weekend.
It was the Toffees most experienced player, Ashley Young who gave them the lead, whipping a freekick past the Old Gold wall and into the back of the net in classic Young fashion, as fans have seen him do several times over the years.
Moments later, James Tarkowski had a goal ruled out for offside after nodding home a Dwight McNeil freekick. It was Orel Mangala who actually managed to double the Toffees lead. His deflected shot flew past goalkeeper Jose Sa and into the back of the Wolves net.
Wolves’ calamitous defending from set pieces did not end at Tarkowski’s offside goal. Experienced defender Craig Dawson scored two own goals, both coming from McNeil crosses once again, to add an extra two goals to the home side’s comfortable cushion.
It was an excellent result for Sean Dyche’s men, who had some impressive performers throughout the night.
Everton’s standout players vs. Wolves
One of the most effective performers on the night for the Toffees was McNeil. Although he did not register an assist tonight, his penetrating set-piece deliveries caused chaos on the Old Gold, and led to two goals for the Toffees, which was almost three had Tarkowski’s goal stood.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
He received a solid 8/10 rating from Liverpool World journalist Will Rooney. He was full of praise for the Everton winger and noted that his crosses ’caused havoc throughout the first half’, before explaining that he ‘continued to torment’ the Midlands side in the second half.
Young was another player who caught the eye and was part of an unchanged defence that was able to bounce back well after conceding four to his former club last Sunday. His strike meant he became the Toffees oldest-ever goalscorer, too.
The experienced defender certainly had impressive stats from the game, courtesy of Sofascore. Defensively, the 39-year-old was superb, winning eight from 13 ground duels and seven out of nine tackles. In possession he more than held his own too, completing seven out of 10 long balls.
As good as both McNeil and Young were against the Old Gold, there was arguably a player who stood out more, and could be a dream replacement long-term for Amadou Onana.
Everton’s £50m star in the making
It was a stellar performance from Belgian midfielder Mangala. The 26-year-old certainly impressed throughout the night, with writer Ell Bretland calling for him to “stay in that starting XI every week”, as the busy festive period really gets going.
Orel Mangala
Aside from his goal, a well-hit effort from the edge of the penalty area, it was a hardworking performance from the former Nottingham Forest man. Mangala had 46 touches and a 97% pass accuracy, creating two chances. Off the ball, he made three clearances and won 100% of his aerial duels.
He certainly channelled his inner Onana, whose departure for ÂŁ50m to Aston Villa in the summer has left such a big hole in the Toffees starting lineup. Mangala made the move to Goodison Park on a season-long loan from Olympique Lyon, but after his efforts against Wolves, they surely want him to stay longer.
Their key stats from this season, courtesy of Squawka, are not too dissimilar. Whilst Onana does have higher numbers than Mangala in some metrics, he is playing in a Villa side who see far more of the ball.
However, the former Lyon star averages more completed take-ons per game, with 1.4 compared to 0.8, and makes more ball recoveries per game, with 4.7 to 4.6 for his international teammate.
Stat (per 90)
Mangala
Onana
Completed take-ons
1.4
0.8
Ball recoveries
4.7
4.6
Forward passes
9.4
9.6
Duels won
5
6.9
Interceptions
2
2.1
Touches
52.7
56
After his efforts against Wolves, Dyche and the Toffees supporters could well be desperate for Mangala to stay on Merseyside for longer than this season.
He seems like he could be a ÂŁ50m star in the making, and certainly impressed on Wednesday night against Wolves.
Everton’s big flop who left for £0 is now ranked ahead of Mo Salah
Everton failed to get the best from a flop forward who’s now ranked ahead of Liverpool’s Mo Salah.
It would be fair to say that Arsenal’s campaign has not exactly gone to plan so far this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side were hoping that this would finally be the year they lifted the Premier League title after coming so close in the two prior, but after a particularly rough month of results, they now find themselves down in fourth and nine points off leaders Liverpool.
Unsurprisingly, such a poor run of form has seen attention shift to what the club could do in the transfer market to either get this season back on track or ensure the next one doesn’t come with the same pitfalls.
Chelsea
1-1 (D)
Newcastle (A)
1-0 (L)
Liverpool (H)
2-2 (D)
Bournemouth (A)
2-0 (L)
Southampton (H)
3-1 (W)
One of the most prominent names touted for a move to the Emirates in the last week or so has been Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi, but recent reports have now linked a potential alternative with a move to the club, a central midfielder who’s been in such good form that he’s currently outscoring Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal transfer news
According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several teams interested in Ajax star Kenneth Taylor, and have already sent scouts to watch him play.
Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that fellow Premier League sides Newcastle United and Aston Villa and Italian giants Napoli have all been keeping tabs on the Dutch midfielder.
While this level of interest is far from ideal, the good news is that an offer of around €35m, which is about £29m, should be enough to tempt the Amsterdam outfit into selling, per the report.
It would still represent a significant investment from Arsenal, but given Taylor’s sensational form this season, it is one worth making, especially as he could prove an ideal alternative to Zubimendi.
How Taylor compares to Zubimendi
Now, while Taylor can play in a few positions and has here and there throughout his career, he is primarily a central midfielder, while Zubimendi has shown he’s capable of playing in both central and defensive midfield roles for club and country.
So, while this does suggest that there is a world in which they could play together at Arsenal, that seems incredibly unlikely given the players already at Arteta’s disposal, such as Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and possibly Thomas Partey and Jorginho, should they remain at the club beyond the summer.
Therefore, it will likely be one or the other between the two midfield targets, so how do they stack up against one another?
Well, the first thing to look at is their raw output, and in this metric, it’s not even close, as the Ajax “revelation”, as dubbed by former Ajax manager Aad de Mos, comes out way ahead with six goals and four assists to his name in 21 games, which is significantly more impressive than the Sociedad ace’s tally of one goal and two assists in 16 games, and means he’s even outscored Saka this year.
What’s going on under the hood, though? Which midfielder comes out on top when we compare their underlying numbers?
Well, it depends on the metrics you are looking at, as somewhat unsurprisingly, the Spaniard comes out ahead in most defensive metrics, such as ball recoveries, tackles, clearances and interceptions per 90.
However, in practically every other metric, such as expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, key passes, passes into the final third and penalty area, shot and goal-creating actions all per 90, it’s the Ajax star who comes out comfortably on top.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.44
0.14
Actual Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.60
0.16
Progressive Carries
2.99
1.76
Progressive Passes
5.97
7.28
Progressive Passes Received
6.87
1.84
Passing Accuracy
81.6%
86.2%
Key Passes
1.79
0.72
Passes into the Penalty Area
2.24
0.72
Shot-Creating Actions
3.72
2.00
Goal-Creating Actions
0.74
0.24
Tackles
2.09
2.56
Interceptions
0.60
1.12
Clearances
0.75
2.24
Errors Leading to a Shot
0.00
0.08
Ball Recoveries
3.43
4.16
Ultimately, it comes down to whether Arteta wants another more defensive midfielder in his squad or one who’s more likely to make something happen, and based on Arsenal’s slightly lacklustre attack this season, it certainly feels like Taylor would be the smarter signing in 2025.
Arsenal must rue selling ÂŁ34m star who now ranks alongside Palmer & Salah
The incredible talent would have helped Arsenal so much this season.
Glasgow Rangers are already on the ropes in the race to secure the Scottish Premiership title and are in danger of missing out on the trophy for a fourth year in succession.
Philippe Clement’s side are already nine points adrift of Celtic and Aberdeen, who are both unbeaten, and need an incredible run of form and a drop-off from their rivals to have a chance of overtaking them.
The Light Blues have already lost three times in the top-flight this season, once each to the Hoops and the Dons, and dropped points in a 0-0 draw with Hearts on the opening day.
Their struggles, once again, in the league could see a major change to the squad, with a recent report suggesting that a key player could be sold.
Football Insider recently claimed that Rangers are planning to cash in on James Tavernier next summer, with his contract up in 2026, because of his ‘declining’ performances on the pitch.
If the Ibrox giants go ahead with their plan to sell the English full-back, the Gers would need a new captain, and here are three possible options for Clement to choose from.
1
Jack Butland
Jack Butland
One contender to take on the armband is goalkeeper Jack Butland, who joined the Light Blues on a free transfer from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2023.
The 31-year-old star is one of the most experienced players in the dressing room and has played at a high level, with 87 appearances in the Premier League in his career.
Butland could be the oldest player in the squad at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, as the only two players currently older than him are James Tavernier and Leon Balogun. The former is reportedly due to be sold and the latter is due to be out of contract at the end of the month when he turns 37.
This suggests that he could be in the best position to pass on advice to the younger members of the squad and would have the most experience in big moments to calm the troops when needed.
Butland has also been incredibly reliable for the Gers on the pitch, both in terms of his performances and his availability. Since his move to the club last year, the English titan has made a whopping 78 appearances for the club in all competitions – playing every single minute of league action in that time.
Jack Butland
23/24 Premiership
24/25 Premiership
Appearances
38
11
Sofascore rating
6.99
7.17
Save success rate
71%
72%
Saves made
80
21
Clean sheets
18
6
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the former England international has kept 24 clean sheets in the Premiership since the start of last season and saved 71% of the shots against his goal.
This shows that he has been a safe pair of hands, saving the majority of the efforts against him to keep a healthy number of shutouts, and that is why he should be a contender for the captaincy, as he is a strong performer and an experienced head in the dressing room.
2
John Souttar
John Souttar
Another strong option to be the new captain if Tavernier is sold is central defender John Souttar, whose performances have been impressive this season.
He initially arrived at Ibrox on a free transfer from Hearts in the summer of 2022 but endured an incredibly frustrating debut campaign with the Gers, with 13 appearances in all competitions due to a long-term absence with an ankle injury.
Souttar worked his way back to fitness and played 41 times in all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign under Michael Beale and Clement, scoring two goals from centre-back.
24/25 Premiership
John Souttar
Appearances
10
Pass accuracy
92%
Dribbled past
1x
Ground duel success rate
65%
Aerial duel success rate
66%
Clean sheets
6
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the former Jam Tarts star has been a dominant force at the back for the Scottish giants and helped to keep an impressive six clean sheets in ten league outings.
Butland described Souttar as “brilliant” in October and claimed that the Scotland international “gives everything for the club”, which suggests that he is captain material, as the defender is committed to the team and plays with passion.
The colossus is also vastly experienced in Scottish football, with over 200 appearances in the Premiership, and could be a great role model for the younger players to look up to, as he has been there and done it in the top-flight, which is another reason why Clement must consider him to be the next skipper.
3
Dujon Sterling
Rangers midfielder Dujon Sterling.
The third potential option to take on the captaincy is versatile star Dujon Sterling, who has yet to nail down a regular starting spot in his favoured position at right-back.
His lack of regular starts in the team may make this selection seem odd, but Football FanCast recently posted an article suggesting that the sale of Tavernier could open the door for the former Chelsea man to establish himself on the right side.
Sterling has only started four games at right-back since the start of last season, with other outings at right-midfield, defensive midfield, left-back, central midfield, and left-midfield, but the captain leaving in January or next summer could allow him to play there regularly.
Glasgow Rangers defender Dujon Sterling.
The 25-year-old star has shown his commitment to the Gers by being willing to play in such a variety of positions for the club, being ready to play wherever he is needed, across 53 appearances.
Since his move to Ibrox, Sterling has not missed more than two games in a row through injury, which suggests that he has the availability required to be the captain, as it would be pointless for Clement to appoint a new skipper if they are constantly missing through injury.
At the age of 25, the former Stoke loanee is the youngest player on this list by several years and that means that he would have the time to grow into the role and be the long-term replacement for Tavernier, both in terms of the right-back position and the captaincy.
Rangers can hit gold with "exceptional" replacement if they sell Tavernier
Glasgow Rangers are reportedly considering a move to sell the Ibrox legend James Tavernier.
Chelsea have held preliminary talks with an ÂŁ83 million player via his representatives “in recent days”, as they seek to gauge information on a potential transfer ahead of the looming January transfer window.
Chelsea prioritising new centre-back for Enzo Maresca
In terms of form right now, Chelsea are arguably the best team in the Premier League right now, reigning supreme in their last six matches across all competitions whilst scoring an impressive 19 goals in that time.
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Manager Enzo Maresca has been forced to continuously bat away suggestions that his side are firmly in the title race, but if they carry on these performances, it will be near-impossible to deny that they have a real shot of clinching their first domestic crown since 2016.
Going forward, Chelsea are showcasing a real imperiousness, but that hasn’t stopped Todd Boehly, BlueCo and the club’s recruitment team from assessing new striker options.
Brentford (home)
December 15
Everton (away)
December 22
Fulham (home)
December 26
Ipswich Town (away)
December 30
Crystal Palace (away)
January 4
Reliable media sources like journalist Simon Phillips, who regularly breaks inside information from Stamford Bridge via his Substack, claim that Chelsea have made contact over signing Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, even if there is no guarantee they will make a move for the Englishman.
That same source also shared that Chelsea are actually prioritising the signing of a new centre-back, and it could become their main transfer mission, with both Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile facing uncertain futures at Cobham right now.
“The club are looking at many names, and three of the most frequent that are being mentioned to us regularly by sources right now are Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, and Antonio Silva and Tomas Araujo of Benfica,” wrote Phillips last weekend.
“There are many others on the shortlist though, and sources have pointed out to us this week that Everton and England centre back Jarrad Branthwaite is still being looked at.
“In fact, Chelsea are scouting him this season along with many of the other top clubs including Manchester United.
“The centre back area is seen as a priority, and potentially even the main priority, as they look to complete the squad rebuild.”
Chelsea hold preliminary talks with Palmeiras starlet Vitor Reis
The Blues’ pursuit of a new centre-half has taken another twist this week, as GOAL Brasil share news regarding another target in Palmeiras sensation Vitor Reis.
Brazil’s rising star defender, whose contract includes an ÂŁ83 million release clause, has been linked with an array of elite clubs, including Real Madrid and Arsenal, heading into 2025 – but Chelsea are believed to be firmly in the race.
GOAL claim that Chelsea have contacted Reis’ camp “in recent days” to gain some information on a potential deal for the 18-year-old, but they’re not alone, with the Gunners, Real and Serie A champions Inter Milan doing the same thing.
The central defensive starlet is set to be one of South America’s biggest transfer talking points in the very near future, given his serious pedigree, with Reis’ sky-high potential not lost on Chelsea, who’ve developed a penchat for bringing in some of world football’s biggest talents.
Chelsea are in fast-moving talks to offload a “very big” player in their squad, with his suitors apparently eager to get him tied up and over the line by the very start of January.
Chelsea prepare for Astana as Enzo Maresca confirms squad decision
The west Londoners are back in action this afternoon, as manager Enzo Maresca prepares his side to face off against Kazakhstani minnows Astana in the Conference League.
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Chelsea have been allocated a bizarre kick-off time of 15:30 this afternoon due to time zones, with Kazakhstan being five hours ahead of the United Kingdom, so local supporters will watch the two teams play at around 20:30 in their region of the world.
Maresca also has to factor in their Premier League clash against Brentford on Sunday, and the Italian has vowed in his pre-match press conference to give as many players as possible a full 90 minutes each week, no matter what competition.
“We have a session this morning,” said Maresca on Chelsea’s line up against Astana in his pre-match press conference.
“The general decision [over the squad] is already there but we will see.
“Some of them will be here, some of them will fly with us. We try to manage in the same way we have done until today. We have many young players with us, the rest will be working.
“The target since we started the season is to allow all of them, no matter the competition, to play 90 minutes every week. Most of those who play tomorrow would have also played against Southampton last week. So we will try to keep them in the regular situation of playing 90 minutes every week. This is what we’re trying to do.”
Chelsea’s next Premier League fixtures
Date
Brentford (home)
December 15
Everton (away)
December 22
Fulham (home)
December 26
Ipswich Town (away)
December 30
Crystal Palace (away)
January 4
Youngster Josh Acheampong has attracted recent interest from Real Madrid amid disputes over a new Chelsea contract, but his omission from the squad has come to an end recently, as the club are apparently close to tying him down with an extension.
The 18-year-old is also likely to start against Astana this afternoon, confirms Maresca, which would be his second senior appearance of the season after a brief cameo in the Carabao Cup against Barrow.
A player who could also feature tonight is exit-linked midfielder Cesare Casadei, but according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, tonight could be one of his last games in Chelsea blue this season.
Chelsea in fast-moving talks over loaning Cesare Casadei to Monza
As per the outlet, via Sport Witness, Chelsea are in rapid negotiations over loaning Casadei to Monza, and the Serie A side are very keen to sign him by January 2, as they desperately look to bolster their midfield options.
Talks are said to be “moving quickly” and have been ongoing for several weeks, and the potential transfer is seen as a real win-win.
Cesare Casadei
The 21-year-old, who worked with Maresca at Leicester, has featured regularly in cup competitions and attracted praise from Chelsea’s head coach – but this move would allow the player to garner more minutes in his homeland.
“This year, we are using him like a holding midfielder,” said Maresca on Casadei’s use for Chelsea in October.
“The reason why is because I think we go in the direction where the middle you need physical players. Cesare is very big, physically strong and helps us when we want to press. On the ball, he is improving a lot. Tonight he played one touch, so we are very happy. For him, it’s the same as the rest; many things he can do better but he is in the right direction.”
Glasgow Rangers followed up on their European success with a 1-0 win over St. Johnstone away from Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
The Scottish giants swept OCG Nice aside with relative ease in the Europa League on Thursday, winning 4-1 in France, and made sure that they did not get too complacent when back in domestic action.
Whilst it was not a brilliant performance from Philippe Clement’s side, the Light Blues did enough to secure all three points and were good value for it, with 17 shots to the host’s four.
An own goal from midfielder Jason Holt in the second half proved to be the only goal of the game, after Nedim Bajrami, Vaclav Cerny, and Hamza Igamane all flirted with the back of the net in the opening 45.
A win and a clean sheet, however, is the headline news and it should be taken as a positive, as the Gers did not allow the host to gain control at any point in the match.
Another positive from the game was the performance of the returning Ianis Hagi, who was selected from the start as the number ten in the 4-2-3-1 set-up.
Ianis Hagi's impressive showing
The Romania international started in the Premiership for the first time since the 27th May 2023 against St Mirren in a 3-0 win under Michael Beale.
After returning from his loan with Alaves last season, Hagi was initially banished to the B team due to a contractual issue that would have seen his wages rise if he had hit a certain number of games.
Ianis Hagi for Rangers.
The Daily Record reported that the situation was then resolved after several senior players and board members pushed for him to be reintroduced, and the former Genk star has since been brought back into the squad after his contract issue was ironed out behind the scenes.
Hagi made his first start of the season, and his fourth appearance, against St. Johnstone on Sunday and caught the eye with an impressive and energetic display.
The headline of his performance was his ‘assist’ for the winning goal. It does not count as an official assist for the forward but it was his fantastic volleyed cross to the back post that, essentially, forced Holt to score an own goal to prevent James Tavernier from tapping into an empty net.
Minutes
90
Chances created
2
Shots
3
Pass accuracy
79%
Duels won
4/7
Possession lost
19x
As you can see in the table above, Hagi was constantly looking to make something happen at the top end of the pitch with three shots taken and two chances created, along with his involvement in the winning goal.
He did lose possession 19 times in total throughout the game but that was because the attacking midfielder was taking risks in order to progress play for the team, which inevitably led to some giveaways.
Whilst Hagi was one of the stars of the show for the Ibrox giants on Sunday, the real hero for Clement was central midfielder Nicolas Raskin.
Nicolas Raskin's performance against St Johnstone
The Belgian dynamo was selected alongside Connor Barron in the middle of the park for the Light Blues and set the tone for his side early in the match with his energy.
Raskin was constantly pushing forward to put pressure on the St. Johnstone players when they had the ball, either to make a challenge, to force them backwards, or to force them into making a mistake in possession.
His pressing work, alongside the likes of Igamane, Hagi, and Barron, pinned the home team back and helped Rangers to enjoy 61% of the possession in the match.
Pass accuracy
94%
Touches
94
Tackles
4
Possession lost
6x
Ground duels won
6/9
Aerial duels won
3/3
Successful dribbles
1/1
As you can see in the table above, Raskin had the best part of 100 touches of the ball and only gave it away six times, which speaks to his incredible efficiency in the middle of the park.
He also won 75% of his duels on the ground and in the air combined, as the Belgian midfielder was able to dominate the opposition out of possession to consistently win the ball back.
Performance in Numbers
Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.
The former Standard Liege star, who made four tackles, was the real hero for Clement because he combined quality and reliability in possession with strength, energy, and desire off the ball, to dominate the game.
Nicolas Raskin's form this season
It was just the latest in a long line of strong performances from the January 2023 signing, who has emerged as a key player for the Belgian head coach in midfield.
After missing out through injury at the start of the campaign, Raskin has started seven of his ten appearances in the Premiership and three of his five outings in the Europa League this term.
The 23-year-old battler has yet to contribute with a goal or an assist to directly influence matches in the final third, but that is because he is doing the bulk of his work in deeper areas of the pitch – picking the ball up off the back four and progressing it to the attacking players.
As was the case against St. Johnstone, Raskin picks up positions to receive passes from the centre-backs and then looks to find the wingers or the number ten to spark attacks for his side.
Appearances
10
Touches per game
59.6
Pass accuracy
90%
Tackles + interceptions per game
3.6
Ground duel success rate
66%
Aerial duel success rate
58%
As you can see in the table above, the Belgian ace has provided consistent quality in his actions in and out of possession for the Scottish giants in the top-flight this season.
He has been a reliable operator defensively for the Light Blues, winning the majority of his duels on the ground and in the air, and that allows him to press high and compete with opposition players to win the ball back.
Clement will now be hoping that the Rangers gem can continue with his current performance level for the rest of the season, to help the club to compete for trophies.
Rangers signed their own Kante before he left after one forgettable year
Glasgow Rangers thought they had their own version of N’Golo Kante, then he flopped.
Aston Villa rescued a late draw against Crystal Palace over the weekend, but it is now six games without a win for Unai Emery.
Of course, panic buttons won’t be pushed yet as the Spaniard has plenty of credit in the bank, but the Champions League clash against Juventus on Wednesday has taken on greater importance now.
It looks like the manager is also thinking ahead to the future, especially with the January transfer window opening in just a few weeks.
Could he bring in another player or two to strengthen his squad?
Aston Villa showing interest in Premier League striker
According to Caught Offside, new Man United boss Ruben Amorim is reportedly looking to offload ÂŁ36.5m summer signing Joshua Zirkzee and there is plenty of interest in the Dutchman heading towards January.
Juventus and Napoli are showing a willingness to make a move for the former Bologna frontman, while Aston Villa have thrown their hat in the ring too, in order to boost their attacking department.
The £105k-per-week gem hasn’t quite hit it off at Old Trafford. Could a change of scenery work wonders for him?
Furthermore, signing the 23-year-old would also potentially spell bad news for the prolific Jhon Duran…
What signing Zirkzee means for Duran
Duran has been one of the club’s brightest lights this season, scoring eight goals in 18 appearances, although the majority of these have been from the bench.
In the summer, the Colombian attracted plenty of attention, as Chelsea wanted to sign him at one stage, but he ended up staying in the Midlands, and it looks like this decision was a smart one.
Comparing Zirkzee vs Duran: 2024/25 PL
Metric
Duran
Zirkzee
Goals
4
1
Assists
0
1
Big chances created
0
2
Key passes per 90
0.2
0.5
Total shots per 90
1.3
1.1
Successful dribbles per 90
0.3
0.4
Although playing second fiddle to Ollie Watkins isn’t ideal, Duran has shone when called upon. If Zirkzee signs, however, could this see him pushed further down the pecking order and potentially closer to the exit door?
The Dutchman hasn’t enjoyed the best of times in the Premier League this season, though, and would surely be a downgrade. He has only scoried one goal, but for Bologna last term, he demonstrated why he was one of the finest young strikers on the continent.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Not only did he find the back of the net 13 times for the Serie A side, but Zirkzee also registered seven assists in all competitions, showcasing his selfless side.
The youngster created 11 big chances in Serie A, along with averaging 1.3 key passes, 1.5 successful dribbles and 2.5 shots per game, indicating how impressive he was in the final third for Bologna, who secured a Champions League berth.
Dutch pundit Hans Kraay Jr lavished praise on the striker after a positive display for the Netherlands, saying: “Zirkzee is so intelligent. He not only passes it on the run, he also passes it in such a way that it is not too hard and ends up on Reijnders’ left. I think that is so beautiful.”
With Watkins scoring the brunt of Villa’s goals, Zirkzee could add something extra to Emery’s attack, something which he doesn’t quite have at the minute.
If he does sign, it remains to be seen whether Duran will stay. It seems unlikely though.
​​​​​​​
Aston Villa hit gold on ÂŁ0 signing who's now similar to a ÂŁ105m maestro
Aston Villa have hit the jackpot on midfielder who is like a current Premier League star
Since Newcastle United were bought by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in October 2021, the Magpies have not been shy with their spending. They have spent millions of pounds on new players to help build Eddie Howe a squad capable of challenging for the highest honour, although things have yet to work that way so far.
The North East side have reached the Carabao Cup final and qualified for the Champions League in that time. With that being said, missing out on European qualification last season was a blow, despite the fact it was somewhat unlucky.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe
However, it is hard to argue that the squad has not been improved with all the money that has been spent.
Newcastle’s most expensive signings under Saudi ownership
The Magpies smashed their club-record signing in August 2022 to bring striker Alexander Isak to St James’ Park from Spanish side Real Sociedad, paying £63m. It is fair to say that the Swede has been a success at the club despite his injury issues.
The 25-year-old, who has also played for Borussia Dortmund, has an impressive record for the Magpies. Isak has scored 42 times and has eight assists in 82 appearances for the club, with six goals to his name in the Premier League this season.
Howe’s side also brought expansive Italian midfielder Sandor Tonali to the club from Serie A giants AC Milan. He cost £55m, and although he missed a year due to a gambling suspension, he has impressed in his 27 appearances so far.
Another impactful signing in midfield was that of Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian midfielder cost Newcastle ÂŁ40m and has revolutionised the centre of the park for Howe. He has 17 goals and 19 assists in 125 games, but also brings leadership, and has captained the club 15 times this term.
Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
Despite all the money they have spent, things have not always been so easy for the North East side. A few years ago, their record signing was Miguel Almiron, who cost far less and has not quite lived up to expectations.
Almiron’s Newcastle career
Paraguayan winger Almiron made the move to St James’ Park from the MLS, leaving Atlanta United to join Newcastle in the 2029 winter window.
At the time, his ÂŁ21m fee was the Magpies’ most expensive transfer ever, beating the ÂŁ16m they paid Real Madrid to sign Michael Owen in 2005. Almrion’s record was exceeded just months later by the ÂŁ40m they paid Hoffenheim to sign Joelinton.
First Impressions
What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.
When the 30-year-old winger signed for Newcastle almost six years ago, he received high praise from club legend and all-time Premier League top goalscorer Alan Shearer. He explained the winger would be “absolutely loved” by Magpies fans:
Well, whether or not that is the case, only a Newcastle supporter could answer. However, Almiron’s record in those famous Black and White stripes leaves a little to be desired. He has played 217 games for the club, scoring 30 goals and grabbing 12 assists in that time.
The winger’s best season at St James’ Park came in 2022/23. In the Premier League, Almiron scored 11 goals, over a third of his entire tally, and grabbed two assists.
He went through a phenomenal purple patch that season in the weeks just before the break for the 2022 World Cup, scoring seven goals and grabbing an assist in eight games.
Opposition
Venue
Result
Goals
Assists
Fulham
Away
4-1 win
2
0
Brentford
Home
5-1 win
1
0
Man United
Away
0-0
0
0
Everton
Home
1-0 win
1
0
Spurs
Away
2-1 win
1
0
Aston Villa
Home
4-0 win
1
0
Southampton
Away
4-1 win
1
0
Chelsea
Home
1-0 win
0
1
However, that has been as good as it has gotten for the Paraguay winger. Almiron has seen his involvement under Howe reduce over time, and can barely get a look in this term. He has played just six times in the Premier League in 2024/25, a total of 119 minutes which equates to 1.3 full 90-minute games.
It is certainly frustrating that Almiron’s career at St James’ Park has tanked. Reports in November suggest he will be able to leave the club in the winter window, six years after he joined, and it certainly makes sense.
Miguel Almiron for Newcastle
The Magpies can look to recoup some of their original transfer fee on Almiron and strengthen out wide. They have recently been linked with exciting young winger Johan Bakayoko, and the money from selling Almiron could be reinvested in the Belgian, as Howe’s side make another push to qualify for Europe.
Newcastle could axe their big scapegoat by signing "exceptional" ÂŁ37m ace
Eddie Howe could do with some new midfielders at Newcastle and appears to have found the perfect target.