Jose Mourinho has reportedly left Fenerbahce with an eye-watering bill after spending 15 months of his tenure with the Turkish giants living in a luxury hotel. The self-anointed ‘Special One’ took up residence in the Istanbul Four Seasons, rather than find himself a property in the city. He was unceremoniously sacked after failing to qualify for the 2025-26 Champions League.
Tough time in Turkey: Mourinho lasted 62 games
Ex-Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter, Manchester United and Roma boss Mourinho joined Fenerbahce in June 2024. He took in 62 games at the helm, with his last being a European play-off clash with Benfica. The 62-year-old is now calling the shots with the Lisbon-based giants having returned to his roots.
He endured a tough time in Turkey, with the performance of match officials getting under his skin on a regular basis, and admits to not particularly enjoying his time with Fener. He said after being given his marching orders and heading back to Portugal: “My career so far has been rich; I've coached the biggest clubs in the world, in different countries. I made the wrong choice; sometimes I don't have the right word in Portuguese… no regrets, because regrets don't help us at all in life, but the awareness of what we did well and what we did wrong exists. I made a mistake going to Fenerbahce; it wasn't my cultural level, it wasn't my football level, it wasn't my level. Obviously, I gave everything until the last day.”
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Mourinho's hotel bill: How much 15-month stay cost
While Mourinho believes that he always gave his all, Fenerbahce have been left with plenty of questions to answer. One of those relates to how they are going to clear the huge bill that their former manager ran up at the Four Seasons.
According to Turkish media outlet , the experienced tactician has cost Fener 36.5m liras – which equates to €747,000 or £656,000. The plush base that he set up camp in boasts five restaurants, two swimming pools, a fitness suite and spa. The cheapest room on site comes in at a jaw-dropping £1,000-a-night.
Mourinho spent 15 months there, on the banks of the Bosphorus, in one of the most luxurious suites. His contract was terminated just under a year before it was due to expire in the summer of 2026.
Why Fenerbahce sacked Mourinho
Former Fener president Ali Koc said after ushering a proven winner through the exits: “Why did we let go of Mourinho? I'm explaining it here for the first time. It was a bitter parting. Our chemistry was perfect, and his accomplishments are evident. Just being able to bring him here was a great achievement.
“Above all, it was difficult to part with someone I was friends with. We knew our coach was a defensive player when we brought him in. But we talked about the need to play more dominantly at the end of the season. Earning 99 goals and 99 points is our genetic code.
“Being eliminated by Benfica wasn't a problem, but the way we were eliminated was unacceptable. This made me feel like last year's football would continue. We parted ways because we believed this squad would play better football at this point. This kind of football works in Europe, but in Turkey, we have to crush them in most matches. We're struggling to get ahead after falling behind in every match.”
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What next for Mourinho? Unconvincing start at Benfica
Mourinho responded by claiming that his recruitment demands were not met, saying: “At my previous club, things weren’t easy. I wanted to play with four players, but the club signed five players the day after I left. While I was there, it was impossible to play with four defenders when the team had seven central defenders. And only one winger. I adapt very well to what's available.”
Mourinho is now 12 games into his tenure at Benfica. He has only won half of those fixtures, suffering three defeats, and has faced more questions of his methods. It remains to be seen how long he will remain at Estadio da Luz and, having been awarded a €15m (£13m/$17m) severance package, whether he will agree to foot the bill that he left behind in Istanbul.
حقق منتخب المغرب تحت 17 عامًا، الفوز على الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، بنتيجة 4-3 بركلات الترجيح، في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم الجمعة، ضمن منافسات كأس العالم للناشئين.
وأقيمت مباراة المغرب تحت 17 عامًا، مع نظيره أمريكا ضمن منافسات دور الـ32 من كأس العالم للناشئين 2025 المقامة في دولة قطر، على ملاعب أكاديمية أسباير في الملعب رقم 7.
وسجل جود تيري، لاعب منتخب أمريكا الهدف في الدقيقة 21 من صناعة زميله كافان سوليفان، بينما سجل عبد الله وزان هدف التعادل في الدقيقة 89.
واتجهت المباراة إلى ركلات الترجيح والتي حسمها منتخب المغرب ليتأهل إلى ملاقاة مالي في دور الستة عشر.
وتمكن منتخب المغرب، من التأهل ضمن أفضل أصحاب المركز الثالث بعد تحقيق فوز وحيد على كاليدونيا الجديدة بنتيجة 16-0. أهداف وركلات ترجيح مباراة المغرب وأمريكا في كأس العالم تحت 17 عام
Arsenal are so good at set-pieces it’s boring. Their long throw-ins are ridiculous. They need to find other ways of scoring.
Those are not our words but the words of various pundits and neutrals in recent weeks.
Mikel Arteta’s men have won all three of their Champions League encounters and sit top of the Premier League.
It’s not been a captivating start to the new campaign for the Gunners but they’ve been super effective. Their core strengths, namely set-pieces and their defensive record, have formed the bedrock of Arteta’s success in recent years.
Arsenal are as solid as they’ve ever been, conceding just one open play goal all term in the top-flight. Yet, with a reliance on dead-balls again, some wonder just how sustainable this model will be.
The fact is, that as Arsenal showed this week, they are not over-reliant on those situations and have a great deal more than that in their locker.
Despite what pundits say, they are not boring. You don’t beat Atletico Madrid, one of the most defensively sound sides in Europe, 4-0 if you’re dull.
Indeed, their win over Diego Simeone on Tuesday evening was a statement to the rest of their continent, and while they did score from two set plays, their performance in the final third was perhaps their most impressive of the campaign.
Gabriel, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli found themselves on the scoresheet but truth be told, it was Arsenal’s midfield that helped springboard them to this win.
The progression of Arsenal's midfield under Mikel Arteta
At this current moment in time, it feels like this squad of Arsenal players are the most complete set they have ever had under the Spaniard.
The backline has been bolstered beyond belief and they now arguably have the greatest depth in defence across Europe’s top five leagues, ensuring that no matter who plays, they will be solid.
GK – Bernd Leno
RB – Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CB – Sokratis
CB – David Luiz
LB – Bukayo Saka
CM – Lucas Torreira
CM – Granit Xhaka
CAM – Mesut Ozil
RW – Reiss Nelson
LW – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
CF – Alexandre Lacazette
The forward line has been less of a priority but when you spawn Bukayo Saka from the academy and sign Gabriel Martinelli for just £6m, there wasn’t a huge amount wrong with it until last season. No player hit double figures for goals for the first time since the 1923/24 campaign.
The midfield, however, has really taken Arsenal to the next level in recent years.
Gone are the likes of Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Granit Xhaka. They all play elsewhere now but in a bid to replace them, they have done so superbly well.
Granit Xhaka
Declan Rice was never going to flop and indeed, despite setting the club back a whopping £105m, has been a game breaker.
His tally of nine goals and ten assists in 2024/25 was a career high, while that pair of free-kicks against Real Madrid will never be forgotten. In the words of Sky Sporters reporter Sam Blitz, he’s also now “the best set-piece taker in the world”. It’s hard to disagree with that statement considering all four of his assists this season have come from dead-ball scenarios.
He’s now surrounded by some of the best midfield talents around. Tempo-setter Martin Zubimendi, another Martin in Odegaard and Eberechi Eze all make the Englishman’s job easier by either sitting behind him in Zubimendi’s case or providing the creative spark as Odegaard and Eze do so well.
When Odegaard is fit, it really does feel as though the midfield has everything you could want: power, creativity, goals and reading of the play.
Arsenal's new Xhaka is playing his part
When Xhaka arrived at Arsenal in 2016 under the stewardship of Arsene Wenger, it was a deal that was met with scepticism.
The Gunners had spent £30m on a talent from the Bundesliga, a rather unknown one at that, and the opening few years of his time in north London were a rollercoaster.
Xhaka was a defensive midfielder by trade when he arrived but his defensive work simply wasn’t up to scratch, quickly becoming known as a walking red card, picking up two in his opening season.
While the Swiss midfielder’s discipline did improve, fans grew impatient with his displays over a number of years and it all came to a head under Unai Emery.
He was now the captain but was swiftly relieved of his duties after chucking the armband to the floor and gesticulating towards the Emirates crowd when he was booed off the field during a game with Crystal Palace.
Xhaka’s revival under Arteta, therefore, was quite the sight. The Spaniard gave him a freer role as a left-sided 8 and he repaid the manager’s faith by delivering the finest campaign of his career to date in 2022/23.
That season, the now 33-year-old scored nine times and registered seven assists. The redemption arc was complete, only for him to leave in the summer of 2023 for Bayer Leverkusen.
Now back in the Premier League with Sunderland, Xhaka has rolled back the years, providing three assists in his first eight matches for the Black Cats.
But, who embodies the spirit of Xhaka in the present Arsenal squad? You may well think the aforementioned Rice is a strong candidate but in Zubimendi, they have someone who delivers similar attributes.
Now, it must be stated, the former Real Sociedad star is certainly classier on the ball and more disciplined than Xhaka ever was in Arsenal colours.
Yet, there are certainly parallels. Xhaka arrived as a defensive midfielder, a deep-lying playmaker, before going on to become a threat in the final third.
The same can be said of Zubimendi. He was declared “the best #6 in the world” by some after his dominant display during Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid.
Minutes played
73
Accurate passes
41/46 (89%)
Touches
56
Key passes
3
Big chances created
1
Accurate long balls
2/2
Accurate crosses
1/1
Distance covered
8.3km
Successful dribbles
1/1
Interceptions
2
Clearances
3
That he may well be, but the 26-year-old is also a threat in the final third, just as Xhaka became in the latter stages of his Gunners career.
Zubimendi has already scored twice in the Premier League, netting a brace in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
His vision and eye for a pass are simply awe-inspiring too. Xhaka was known for a defence-splitting pass but Arsenal’s new Spaniard is cut from a similar cloth in that regard.
He provided a delicious assist for Viktor Gyokeres’ first goal for the club in pre-season and has often been the man to provide the pre-assist.
It was Zubimendi’s lovely ball in behind the West Ham defence for Eze that eventually led to Rice’s goal in the game and to pinpoint another example, he very nearly provided a remarkable assist for Gyokeres again on Tuesday night, popping the ball up and playing it behind.
The Basque midfielder has been a sensational addition, billed as “one of the best Emirates era signings” by Arsenal podcaster and content creator, Jamie Kent.
He’s not had a bad game yet and perhaps saved his finest performance in the famous red and white for Simeone’s men earlier in the week.
The big-money summer arrival completed 89% of his passes, created that big chance for Gyokeres and left the field with three key passes. He also won three of his five duels.
An all-round package, there is a reason that former Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has said that he is “leaving him the keys to the [national] team.”
As aggressive and eccentric as Xhaka he may not be, but the passing range and ability to pop up with key attacking contributions are certainly alike. You may well argue that Zubimendi is the best of both Xhaka and Rice. What a mighty fine combination that is.
Although it’s not time to breathe a sight of relief just yet, reports have suggested that one Sheffield Wednesday candidate has travelled to Hillsborough and a bid for the club is expected.
The Dejphon Chansiri era is officially over, but the Owls entered administration as a result and were handed a 12-point deduction to turn their Championship survival push into their very own mission impossible.
The good times, however, are on their way. Fans flooded to the club shop when Chansiri’s exit was confirmed, before they packed out Hillsborough in a 1-1 draw with Norwich City. This is, at long last, a club pulling in the same direction from top to bottom and co-administrator Kris Wigfield took time to thank supporters earlier this week.
Timeline for Sheffield Wednesday takeover as candidates move to next stage
A positive sign for the Owls.
ByTom Cunningham Nov 6, 2025
The Begbies Traynor managing partner said: “Ahead of the Norwich game, we wanted to give a brief update as best we can to keep fans informed.
“Whilst we are bound by confidentiality for much of this process, it is worth saying that the fantastic support of the fans through attending matches and buying merchandise from the club shop has been vital to running the club and the ground day-to-day – this includes paying the wages of employees and players.”
Regarding prospective buyers, there’s been plenty of interest in Sheffield Wednesday. Several parties have reportedly presented proof of funds worth £50m and the likes of John McEvoy and former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley have been mentioned.
Administrators have set an loose deadline of November 21 for when they want new owners through the door and the latest update suggests that they are on course to meet that deadline this month.
Sheffield Wednesday takeover candidates take Hillsborough tour
As confirmed by Wigfield, an unnamed Sheffield Wednesday takeover candidate has now travelled to Hillsborough for a tour of the stadium and a look at other facilities such as the training ground. Other parties are set to follow suit and opening bids are expected to commence as the Owls move closer and closer to welcoming new owners.
The 12-point hit dealt Sheffield Wednesday an undeniable blow but with Chansiri finally gone, things are beginning to look up at Hillsborough.
Liam Cooper alert to transfer possibility as Sheffield Wednesday hold EFL talks
Wolverhampton Wanderers are currently looking for their next head coach after Vitor Pereira was removed from his post after no wins from the first ten matches of the Premier League season.
John Percy reports that Gary O’Neil, sacked by the club in the 2024/25 campaign, is now in advanced talks to take the job for a second time.
Matches
38
16
Wins
13
2
Draws
7
3
Losses
18
11
Points
46
9
Points per game
1.21
0.56
The English tactician was sacked by Wolves after losing 11 of the opening 16 games of last season, but may now be brought in to save the Old Gold from their current position.
Instead of going back to O’Neil, who had the team in relegation form before he left last term, the club should look to another manager on their shortlist.
Wolves identify former Championship manager as target
The former Bournemouth boss is not the only head coach who has been linked with a move to Molineux since Pereira was moved on from his position.
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According to The Athletic, O’Neil is one of three managers in the frame to land the permanent job, alongside Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards and Michael Carrick.
The report claims that all three of them are under consideration, as part of the club’s shortlist, but it did add that they would have to pay compensation to land Edwards.
Carrick is, therefore, the most interesting option on the list as an alternative to O’Neil, because he could be a dream option for Wolves for several reasons.
Why Wolves should appoint Carrick
The English boss, who was hailed as an “insanely talented coach” by former Boro player Lukas Engel, has stepped in to turn a poor start to a season around before.
He arrived at Boro in October 2022 after they won two of their first 11 Championship matches and led them to a fourth-place finish with 18 wins in 30 games, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he can inspire a group to turn their form around.
That suggests that he has a chance of being the source of inspiration that Wolves need to have any chance of avoiding relegation, with the team currently rock bottom of the division.
On top of that, Carrick, who was coy when asked about the Wolves vacancy on Match of the Day, is a proven Championship manager who can coach his side to play exciting football.
As much as supporters will not want to hear it at this stage of the season, it is worth thinking about how the next managerial appointment will fare if they take the team down, given the situation that they are going to inherit.
League finish
8th
10th
xPTS (Expected league finish)
73 (5th)
71 (6th)
xG
69.5
67.4
xGA
55.0
56.4
xGD
+14.5
+11.3
As you can see in the table above, Carrick’s coaching essentially delivered successive play-off level performances in the Championship, on top of actually finishing in the play-offs in his first season, but it was not rewarded by the output from his players.
The xGD numbers show that his Boro team consistently created more high-quality chances than the opposition, which tends to be a sign of a well-coached side.
Whereas, as shown in the post above from when he was linked to Norwich, O’Neil’s Bournemouth and Wolves teams, albeit at Premier League level, consistently conceded more chances than they created.
Therefore, Carrick, who is currently a free agent, would be a dream alternative to O’Neil because of the short and long-term impact that he could have.
The MLB offseason is in its final stages as pitchers and catchers report for spring training this week.
There have been plenty of big signings throughout the winter, including the mega-deal Juan Soto inked to swap allegiances from the New York Yankees to the New York Mets, and the plethora of top-tier free agents that agreed to join the superteam that is the Los Angeles Dodgers on deferred contracts.
Despite the abundance of offseason movement, there are still some notable free agents who remain unsigned. Whether they're hoping to see a more lucrative offer come through or they're working to identify the best opportunity, plenty of quality players remain available on the open market.
The first spring training games get underway Feb. 20, so time is running out for those unsigned free agents if they want to spend the full spring with a team to get back into the swing of things. As the end of the offseason approaches and teams report to camps in Arizona and Florida, here's a look at the top five remaining free agents.
Alex Bregman, 3B
Bregman was selected by Houston with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft. / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The former Houston Astros third baseman has been linked with several teams as the 2025 season nears. ESPN's Buster Olney reported Tuesday that Bregman is likely to sign with either the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs or Detroit Tigers–-three teams expected to vie for a playoff berth this year.
The 30-year-old is coming off the first Gold Glove season of his career at the hot corner and hasn't recorded a sub-4.0 bWAR season since 2021 when he was limited to 91 games. Bregman provides a consistent bat, having hit at least 19 home runs in every season that he's played at least 140 games.
Nick Pivetta, SP
Pivetta logged a 4.14 ERA and 10.6 K/9 in 26 starts for the Red Sox last season. / David Butler II-Imagn Images
Pivetta spent the last four-plus seasons in Boston, where he proved to be a durable innings eater susceptible to surrendering the long ball. Pivetta pitched at least 142 2/3 innings in each of the last four seasons while logging a 4.33 ERA over that span, though it’s worth pointing out Fenway Park is a hitter-friendly environment.
The market for Pivetta seemingly stalled as the offseason dragged on, though he's still arguably the top remaining starting pitcher available. The Red Sox' decision to give Pivetta a qualifying offer may have hampered his ability to find a new home in free agency, given Boston would be owed some draft compensation if he is signed by another team.
Andrew Heaney, SP
Heaney spent the last two seasons with the Rangers, posting a 4.22 ERA in 66 appearances (59 starts). / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Heaney has bounced around the big leagues since 2021, playing for four different teams over the last four seasons, and he's looking to join a fifth in free agency. He's coming off a solid season with the Texas Rangers, registering a 4.28 ERA and 4.04 FIP in a career-high 31 starts.
The best left-handed pitcher remaining on the market, Heaney could be a quality middle-of-the-rotation starter.
J.D. Martinez, DH
Martinez has collected six All-Star appearances and three Silver Slugger awards over his 14 big league seasons. / John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Age seemingly began to catch up to Martinez in 2024. The slugger appeared in 120 games for the Mets and recorded 16 home runs, a .725 OPS and a 106 OPS+, all of which were his lowest or tied for his lowest in a single season since 2013 (excluding the shortened campaign in 2020).
Martinez will turn 38 in August, making a one-year deal the most likely outcome for him. With 331 career home runs and 14 seasons of MLB experience, Martinez could be a valuable veteran presence for a team looking to add some depth and a quality hitter to the mix.
Alex Verdugo, OF
Verdugo has played for the Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees over his eight-year MLB career. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The former New York Yankees outfielder hasn't received much attention during his first trip to free agency. Verdugo had the worst statistical season of his career in 2024, recording an 83 OPS+, .647 OPS and 0.8 bWAR. He struggled massively in the second half of the season, logging a .606 OPS in his final 53 games.
It wasn't the season he was hoping for before hitting the open market, and the general lack of interest in him reflects that. Still, he's only one season removed from the 2023 campaign during which he recorded a serviceable 2.6 bWAR and .745 OPS.
Two-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman remains unsigned halfway through the month of January as he seeks what is likely to be the last big payday of his career on a long-term contract.
The 30-year-old Bregman hit .260 last season with 26 home runs and 75 RBI and has spent his entire nine-year career with the Houston Astros, where he has been one of the franchise cornerstones for two World Series titles.
But Bregman now appears likely to depart, as it's unclear whether or not the Astros want to meet his free agency asking price. Bregman is reportedly seeking between $25-30 million on his next contract, and previously turned down a six-year, $156 million offer from the Astros.
The Red Sox have been frequently linked to Bregman, but a deal has not gotten done. The Chicago Cubs could enter the mix though if Bregman is open to a shorter deal, according to a report from Bruce Levine of in Chicago. Reported framework around a deal that the Cubs would be interested in doing would be a three-year pact with opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. That contract framework is similar to the one put together for former Cub Cody Bellinger, who has since departed for the New York Yankees in a trade.
Bregman is a solid player, but he will turn 31 before opening day. If teams don't want to commit big money long-term for Bregman, perhaps a shorter deal would open more avenues for him in the 2025 season and beyond.
Granit Xhaka has been linked with a stunning January move to Juventus just six months after joining Sunderland, with Italian reports claiming the midfielder is “back in fashion” for the Serie A giants. His entourage is said to be open to offers, but it has been reported in England that Sunderland have assured the Swiss star is not for sale as he continues to drive the Black Cats’ impressive season.
Juventus reopen Xhaka interest as January move emerges
The Swiss hero Xhaka has surprisingly found himself at the centre of fresh transfer speculation, with Italian outlet reporting that Juventus are ready to revisit the idea of signing the Swiss midfielder in January. The 33-year-old only joined Sunderland in the summer from Bayer Leverkusen on a three-year contract running until 2028, but his immediate impact in the Premier League has reportedly reignited interest in Italy.
The Turin-based paper claims Xhaka is “back in fashion” as Juve urgently seek midfield reinforcements ahead of a planned shift to a 4-3-3 under Luciano Spalletti. With first-choice targets such as Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand deemed “nearly impossible” to secure mid-season, the Bianconeri are said to be studying alternative solutions, and Xhaka has re-emerged as an option.
Xhaka has played every minute of Sunderland’s Premier League campaign so far, captaining the newly promoted side to fourth place with 19 points after 11 games. He has scored once and provided three assists across 990 minutes, prompting the Italian media outlet to describe him as a proven “leader” whom Regis Le Bris “has never given up on.”
The report also claims the midfielder’s entourage is prepared to “listen to potential offers” from Champions League clubs and that Sunderland “have not closed the door” on negotiations, fuelling speculation of a possible mid-season switch.
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Why Juventus see Xhaka as the solution
The report maintains that Juventus’ interest in Xhaka never disappeared entirely after their summer attempt. At the time, the club hesitated due to concerns over his age, as he had just turned 33 in September and did not fulfil all of their recruitment criteria. However, with the midfield overly reliant on Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli, and with limited rotation options, the need for experience has become “urgent.”
The Turin club now view Xhaka as the best value-for-money solution available in January, as per reports. They accept that acquiring him would require more than the €15 million Sunderland paid Leverkusen, but still consider him a realistic target compared to more expensive or unavailable alternatives.
Another factor behind the revived interest is Xhaka’s proven ability to adapt quickly. His rapid integration in England, strengthens Juventus’ belief that he can make an instant Serie A impact.
further claims that Sunderland “will seek a deal that satisfies everyone” should Xhaka push for a departure. Their belief is that the Wearside project, exciting as it is, may not be able to resist pressure from Champions League-level suitors.
Speculation grows as entourage ‘ready to listen’
The most striking detail in the report is the claim that Xhaka’s representatives have utilised Sunderland’s stellar start to gauge interest from top European clubs. The Italian report even suggests that Sunderland aren't against making the move of their captain even after stellar start and that the club would not stand in the way should “Xhaka push for a departure.”
This portrayal paints a picture of opportunity and flexibility, a narrative that gained traction in Italy. However, Keith insists that Xhaka is “very happy” at Sunderland, not exploring a move, and is “not for sale” under any circumstances.
The conflicting versions highlight how quickly transfer noise can escalate once a top European club is involved and how differently speculation can be interpreted across borders.
But, what has intensified the speculation is the scale of Xhaka’s influence at Sunderland in such a short time. Signed for around £13m, he has delivered four goal contributions in 11 games and played a key part in the Black Cats’ rise into the Premier League’s top four, a remarkable position for a newly promoted side.
He scored a penalty in Switzerland’s recent 4-1 victory over Sweden and has been ever-present for Sunderland in the league. His leadership has become central to the team’s unexpected push for European places, with his performances against Chelsea and Arsenal earning widespread praise.
His importance is further underlined by Sunderland’s tactical dependency on his passing range, leadership, and experience. Removing him in January would create a gap almost impossible to fill for a club aiming to establish itself in the top half.
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Focus shifts to Fulham as speculation swirls
Xhaka and Sunderland return to Premier League duty after the international break with a trip to struggling Fulham, a match that begins an important period in the club’s season. As transfer rumours swirl, the Swiss captain is expected to remain the heartbeat of the side as Le Bris’ men aim to maintain momentum and secure a top-half finish.
Juve, meanwhile, are expected to continue monitoring the situation, especially if their primary midfield targets remain out of reach. While Xhaka’s name may remain linked with a Serie A switch, Sunderland’s internal message is quite mixed as of now.
However, one thing is clear, unless Xhaka personally pushes for the move, the January window is far more likely to bring speculation than action. For now, Sunderland’s ambitions, Xhaka’s importance, and the club’s trajectory all point toward stability rather than departure.
The final chunk of international action is winding down for the year, and that means Liverpool fans can get ready to see Arne Slot’s side back in action.
There is an air of uncertainty about the Reds at the moment. After all, they were thrashed out of the Etihad Stadium nearly two weeks ago, having put Real Madrid to the sword in the Champions League days before.
But we must look at the wider trend, and we must accept that Slot’s squad have lost five of their past six matches in the Premier League, and that has eliminated any hopes of retaining that hard-won title for the time being.
The season is still young, but whatever happens over the coming months, FSG will have accepted that a few deeper problems need to be solved.
Take, for example, Virgil van Dijk’s announcement that the 2026 World Cup will be his last for Oranje. That underlines the 34-year-old’s ageing legs, and his acceptance that soon – not yet, but soon – he will wind down.
And the same could be said of Mohamed Salah, who has not been himself this season. FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes are aware that Salah, 33, might be nearing the end at Anfield.
Liverpool begin search for Salah successor
Liverpool’s search for a Salah successor is tentative and new at this stage. The Egyptian star earns £400k per week on Merseyside after renewing his soon-to-expire contract in April, keeping him at the club until the end of next season.
After such staggering success last year, Salah’s drop-off in form has been painful to see, though circumstances have played a part, and the prolific winger is sure to rediscover his shooting boots at some point.
Goals scored
0.77
0.37
Assists
0.48
0.18
Shots taken
3.23
2.29
Shot-creating actions
4.51
3.11
Touches (att pen)
9.50
5.68
Pass completion (%)
70.6
68.7
Progressive passes
3.84
3.66
Progressive carries
4.14
3.66
Successful take-ons
1.55
0.64
Ball recoveries
2.70
2.84
Tackles won
0.29
0.18
But Liverpool do need to start drawing up plans, and Spanish sources suggest this is already in the running, with Hughes preparing a
€100m (equating to £88m) offer for Barcelona superstar Raphinha.
The Brazil international is a wanted man after his sensational 2024/25 campaign, with Atletico Madrid also keen.
However, Liverpool have more financial might and La Blaugrana’s interminable money worries could see a deal completed in 2026.
Why Liverpool want Raphinha
Raphinha, 28, is not a young, up-and-coming talent who can be shaped into a superstar over the next several years.
That’s because he’s already among football’s top brass, hailed as “the best player in the world” by Statman Dave for his herculean efforts in last year’s Champions League.
Last year, the former Leeds United ace produced Salah-esque numbers for Hansi Flick’s La Liga champions. He scored 34 goals and provided 26 assists across all competitions, and that haul saw him eclipse everyone else across Europe’s top five leagues in all competitions. No small feat that, especially when considering the season Liverpool’s talisman had.
Raphinha
57
34 + 26
Mohamed Salah
72
34 + 23
Harry Kane
46
38 + 13
Ousmane Dembele
49
33 + 15
Kylian Mbappe
55
42 + 4
He hasn’t quite hit the same awe-inspiring heights so far this season, but Raphinha has still made a commendable start to the campaign, notching five direct involvements from six league games.
A ready-made talent, Raphinha could prove the perfect replacement to Luis Diaz in Slot’s Liverpool, who was, of course, sold to Bayern Munich this summer for £66.5m.
Diaz, also 28, has been riding the crest of a gigantic wave in Germany this season, with six goals and four assists to his name in the Bundesliga, just nine games played, as well as three strikes from four in the Champions League. His all-round play has been spectacular, his impact sending tremors across Germany.
Away from the more emphatic side of his game, Diaz’s combative side has been sorely missed this term at Liverpool. Last season in the Premier League, he averaged more than one tackle per fixture. Moreover, journalist Neil Docking hailed him as “strong and a fighter” upon the announcement of his departure.
There is also the small matter of Raphinha’s Premier League experience. The Brazilian’s years at Elland Road fashioned in him a physicality and determination that are necessary for success in England. The struggle of Florian Wirtz in a Liverpool shirt underlines the difficulties of integration from overseas.
But, most crucially of all, Raphinha is a player whose skillset aligns with Liverpool’s former wideman. FBref’s data reveals that the Barca man ranks among the top 2% of positional peers across Europe over the past year for goals and assists combined, and then the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90 too.
This has seen Diaz recorded as one of his most comparable players. Diaz is incredibly prolific in front of goal, and like Raphinha, he observed his fleet-footed quality, not running about with the same intensity and frequency as someone like Jeremy Doku, but instead being economical in his advancements.
Liverpool need something different in attack, and with Salah winding down, Wirtz struggling to make his mark at this stage, and Diaz now plying his craft elsewhere, the dynamic and versatile Raphinha would be a stunning addition. If Liverpool can capitalise on Barcelona’s financial plight, they must do so.
Bigger mistake than Quansah: Liverpool sold their next Gravenberch for £15m
Liverpool made a bigger mistake than offloading Jarell Quansah when they got rid of their own Ryan Gravenberch for just £15m.
Eddie Howe says he takes "no pride" in ending his wretched record against Manchester City in the Premier League following Newcastle United's 2-1 win. A Harvey Barnes brace, either side of Ruben Dias' goal, ensured the Magpies boss beat City at the 19th attempt in the English top-flight. Despite getting that monkey off his back, the 47-year-old focused more on his team's positive performance.
Newcastle hurt Man City's title hopes
In a pulsating clash where Newcastle had just 32 per cent possession and nine shots to City's 17, Howe's side overcame Pep Guardiola's in-form team to give them a morale-boosting victory at St James' Park on Saturday. After winning four of their last five Premier League games, City looked like they may catch table-topping Arsenal but this defeat has hurt those chances. They are down to third after Chelsea's win over Burnley and if Arsenal beat Tottenham on Sunday, they could go seven points clear of the Citizens.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportHowe thrilled with Newcastle triumph
Howe cut a relieved figure after Newcastle had secured all three points on Saturday night. He would have had his heart in his mouth when Barnes' second goal was the subject of a lengthy VAR review, before the decision went their way. And the former Bournemouth manager was clearly thrilled with how things panned out in the north east.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live after the game: "That doesn't sound good that, 19 games. I'm well aware of my record against Manchester City, that is something I take no pride in really. Trying to figure out a way to beat them is very, very difficult. Even today's game, it was so tight. The margins in Premier League games against them are so fine, but we came out on the right side today. I thought it was a great performance from the players, full of energy, heart and bravery. I'm delighted with how we played.
"The mindset was key and the attitude. The energy was back that was missing against Brentford and West Ham. Our running ability and power was there. Our technical ability was there too, which hasn't always been the case. We were brave in our approach. We tried to be aggressive and we got rewarded that at times, they punish you for that at times, so you are always on a bit of a knife-edge against them. Thankfully Nick [Pope] made some good saves when needed them and we got the goals at good times."
Howe praises matchwinner Barnes
With Barnes' contribution, he took his goal tally to six in all competitions. In the league, he is Newcastle's joint second highest scorer with team-mate Bruno Guimaraes (three) and is one behind Nick Woltemade. But the former Leicester City man did miss a glorious chance in the game, which could have proven costly. But Howe was quick to praise the winger.
He added: "Two great goals for Harvey, he missed a couple in the first half, but he is always a player that gets chances and that is the great thing about him. When you put him on the team sheet you know there is going to be some moments. His first goal was an outstanding finish and that was probably the hardest of the ones he had today, found the corner with his right foot. The second one is about being in the right place at the right time. Two massive goals for us and hopefully that can lift us in the Premier League."
Barnes himself said to BBC's Match of the Day: "It feels great [to be the matchwinner]. I don't think I was the most popular man at half time. Glad to make up for it in the second half with a couple of good goals and it was a great win for us. Hopefully after today's result we can kick on and go on a good run."
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AFPWhat comes next for Newcastle?
Newcastle, like all the teams taking part in European competitions this season, are preparing for a busy run of fixtures over the coming weeks. In fact, between Tuesday's trip to Marseille in the Champions League and their crunch derby clash with Sunderland on December 14, the Toon play six matches in all competitions. That will demand a lot of Howe's men, and whether they will be up to the task remains to be seen.