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Wayne Rooney has been brutally informed, by Danny Simpson during an exclusive interview with GOAL, that his dream of one day becoming Manchester United manager is likely to have "died". The Red Devils legend has, however, been talked up for alternative roles at Old Trafford – and one of those could see him help son Kai to chase the professional football dream.

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  Rooney's managerial career: Struggles in England and America

  United’s all-time leading goalscorer stepped into coaching at Derby County when bringing his distinguished playing career to a close. He has since occupied dugouts at D.C. United in MLS, alongside NFL legend Tom Brady at Birmingham City and in the Championship with Plymouth Argyle.

  Unfortunately, none of those posts have delivered much success – with stints at St Andrew’s and Home Park being cut alarmingly short. Rooney has been out of management since the end of 2024, with the 39-year-old enjoying a return to punditry work as wife Coleen sees her stock soar on the back of a runner-up finish on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.

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• Backroom role? How Rooney could return to Old Trafford

  Rooney has not ruled out another managerial role, but is a long way off coming into contention for the top job at Old Trafford. He could, however, return to familiar surroundings in a backroom post that allows him to work with United’s strikers or academy hopefuls.

  Quizzed on whether such a job should appeal to Rooney and the Red Devils, ex-United defender Simpson – speaking in association with – told GOAL: "When you look at it like that, I think so. You could never say that these players can’t have a role or a place at a club where they have done so much and do care about the club.

  "I know it’s difficult because they are in the media and being honest, but that’s part of the game. He has to be honest – he can’t protect United, he can’t protect the players, he’s got to be honest and say what he sees. Why wouldn’t you, as a striker, want Wayne Rooney coming in. Imagine [Benjamin] Sesko and he’s got Wayne Rooney helping him. It’s not a bad shout.

  "As a manager? Yeah, I think that’s died. The roles that he took were so difficult and he doesn’t get the credit for that, taking teams at difficult moments. The Birmingham one, they were flying, everyone was happy, so he upset the apple cart by going in as manager. But some of the other clubs that he took, they were in difficult moments.

  "I would love to see Wayne Rooney back at United helping the young lads. If it was me and I was a striker and he came in to help me, you would be annoying him with questions all the time – what do you do in this position, what do you do in this position? That would be something I would like to see."

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  Another Rooney at Man Utd: Kai starring in academy ranks

  Rooney’s eldest son, Kai, currently forms part of the youth set-up at United, with the teenage forward considered to be a hot prospect. Asked if Wayne could help to bring another Rooney into the Red Devils’ first team, Simpson added: "When [Michael] Carrick has been there, Ruud [van Nistelrooy] was there and all these ex-players, [Darren] Fletcher was there for a few years and is U18s manager and has started his own journey.

  "Kai, I’ve seen him play a few times and he looks fantastic – looks just like his dad but obviously left-footed! Any time that you get a chance to bring these ex-players back in, I think you have to. Whether he would want to do that, I don’t know.

  "Years ago, he wasn’t even my kind of legend, but I was at Blackburn and Nigel Winterburn came in for Paul Ince. I’m a full-back and I was soaking up everything he was trying to tell me. I’m not an Arsenal fan. Players respect what other players have done in the game. You can be a sponge and take in as much information as you can."

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• Documentary & punditry work: What next for Rooney?

  Rooney, who is set to star in an upcoming Disney+ documentary alongside Coleen and their four sons, has offered no indication that he is considering a return to Manchester United. He is on hand to give words of wisdom to Kai, having found it difficult to watch him in action down the years, and continues to keep a close eye on how the Red Devils are faring during a difficult era for all concerned at Old Trafford.

An “unbelievable” Newcastle United player may have played his final game for the club, with a move abroad possible before the league’s summer transfer window closes.

Potential debuts for Newcastle against Wolves

The Magpies return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon, welcoming Wolves to St James’ Park and looking to kick their season into gear after a relatively slow start.

A frustrating summer window at Newcastle ended positively, despite losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool, with Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa arriving from VfB Stuttgart and Brentford respectively.

The Magpies’ two newest signings will both be vying for a start this weekend, and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has talked up the idea of Woltemade leading the line.

“Eddie Howe has to start with Nick Woltemade, if not both him and Yoane Wissa together. Wissa hasn’t played a lot of football recently, so I’m not sure if he goes straight into the starting XI. But if you’re those two forwards, there is no better opportunity to get off the mark than facing Wolves at home!

“I always go with the logic that if the best team in the league wants to sign you, then you’re a good player. Bayern Munich wanted Woltemade, so he must know how to play! If him and Wissa can together get the goals scored by Isak last season, it’s a good transfer window for Newcastle in my opinion.”

Newcastle hero could leave before the weekend

Away from incoming signings, it looks as though Jamaal Lascelles could leave Newcastle on Friday, with reliable journalists Craig Hope and Simon Jones of The Daily Mail reporting that Trabzonspor are “exploring a deal” for the centre-back.

The Turkish transfer deadline day is Friday evening, so it would be a last-gasp piece of business if it does go through, with the 31-year-old only having a year remaining on his current deal.

A move away for Lascelles could make the most sense for all parties, considering it would allow him more regular playing time after dropping down the pecking order, as well as meaning Newcastle cash in on him instead of losing him on a free transfer.

If Lascelles does leave, he will be remembered as an excellent servant for the Magpies down the years, captaining them impressively earlier in his career and being showered with praise by Eddie Howe.

“He’s been an unbelievable captain for us. Captaincy doesn’t just exist on the pitch, it has to exist off the pitch. The two things are so intrinsically linked. A lot of our success last year wasn’t just down to the team, it came down to a group of players giving everything on and off the pitch.”

Newcastle brewing Isak-level star in 18-year-old who's "similar to Mbappe"

Eddie Howe could develop Newcastle’s next Alexander Isak at St James’ Park.

By
Will Miller

Sep 12, 2025

At 31, the £40,000-a-week Lascelles is still young enough to be a key starter away from Newcastle, meaning a move to Turkey could be wise, rather than warming the substitutes’ bench for months on end at St James’.

Borussia Dortmund defender Almugera Kabar has submitted a transfer request to leave the German club. The 21-year-old has yet to make an appearance this season and does not feature in manager Niko Kovac’s plans. Kabar is reportedly looking for a loan move, with Brentford and three other English clubs expressing interest in signing him during the winter transfer window.

• Kabar's transfer request

  According to German outlet , Kabar submitted a written transfer request to Borussia Dortmund officials two weeks ago, expressing his desire to leave the club after receiving no playing time this season. Clubs from England have shown interest, and according to Bild, Dortmund received a €20 million (£17m/$21m) bid from English club Brentford. The offer was rejected, as Dortmund are not looking to sell the defender permanently.

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  Kabar's lack of playing time under Kovac

  Kabar has struggled for playing time under Niko Kovac this season. Failing to make a single appearance for Dortmund’s senior team as he could not displace Daniel Svensson from the starting XI, Kabar has only featured three times for Dortmund's reserve side in the Regionalliga West. This lack of first-team opportunities has prompted him to seek a move away from the club in search of regular minutes.

• Why Kabar is highly rated

  Kabar joined the Borussia Dortmund academy at the age of 13 and has steadily progressed through the ranks since then. His profile rose significantly after being part of the Germany U-17 World Cup-winning team in 2023, as well as the U-17 European Championship-winning squad the same year. Kabar was named captain of Dortmund’s U-19 team during their UEFA Youth League campaign last season. Despite strong performances, which included one goal and an assist, they were eliminated in the intermediate stage by Real Madrid. His potential prompted Dortmund to secure him with a contract extension until 2028, signed in February of this year.

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  What could happen in the winter transfer window ?

  Dortmund will aim to negotiate a loan deal for the talented defender rather than a permanent sale. For Kabar, a January move would provide the opportunity to continue his development and gain regular first-team experience without hindering his progress.

Newcastle United are in the mix to sign an “extraordinary” Champions League winner, with the player in question compared to Magpies midfielder Sandro Tonali.

Howe proud despite Newcastle defeat

The Magpies were beaten 2-1 at home to Barcelona on Thursday evening, with a stunning St James’ Park atmosphere not quite doing enough to help their side get a positive result, despite a late consolation from Anthony Gordon.

Newcastle’s performance was impressive on the whole, with the hosts dominating the first half, in particular, but Barca’s quality shone through, not least when it came to Marcus Rashford’s second goal of the night.

Despite the result, Eddie Howe still tried to be positive, speaking of his pride at the performance, as his team showed they could match one of Europe’s best teams for long periods.

“There was a lot of effort, commitment and heart from the players. It was a good performance, without being a great one, and to beat Barcelona, I think you need a great one. We had the chances – two big moments in that first half – but we didn’t take them. Unfortunately, when you concede the first goal, the game swings on that moment.”

Newcastle keen on signing "extraordinary" Real Madrid star

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle are among the clubs who are interested in signing Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga in 2026.

Chelsea and Manchester United are also mentioned as options for the £70m-rated midfielder, with the two-time Champions League winner out of contract at Madrid in the summer of 2029.

Camavinga would be a huge statement signing by Newcastle, considering the Frenchman is arguably considered one of the best central midfielders in Europe currently, also being able to do a job at left-back. He has also been likened to Tonali, in terms of style.

Outclassed by Rashford: Newcastle must drop 5-pass star & it's not Trippier

Newcastle were beaten by Barcelona on home soil at the start of their Champions League campaign.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 19, 2025

The Madrid ace has been hailed as “extraordinary” by Carlo Ancelotti, which is high praise from a legendary manager, while Paul Pogba lauded his quality back in 2021, following his debut for France.

“It is a pleasure to see him don the [France] shirt. To score after his first start [against Ukraine in a friendly], that is honestly wonderful. I was truly happy for him. I only wish him the best and much more. He has everything for that. His future is in his hands. He is very at ease, he is a little dancer. He makes me think a bit about me. He is not a timid person.”

Whether Camavinga is eyeing a move away from Madrid remains to be seen – his contract situation means big money would still be needed to get him – but if Xabi Alonso doesn’t consider him an important part of his plans, Newcastle should be looking to swoop.

Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe splashed the cash in the 2025 summer transfer window, but who are the club’s current most expensive signings of all time?

Here at Football FanCast, we’ve taken a look at Man Utd’s most expensive additions in their famous history, as per Transfermarkt, with a detailed look at the top 10.

Here's a detailed look at Man Utd's 10 most expensive signings:

10

Angel Di Maria

£60m from Real Madrid

Back in 2014, Angel Di Maria put pen to paper on a five-year deal with Man Utd in what was at the time, a club and British transfer record.

The Argentine signed from Real Madrid under Louis van Gaal, but after just one season and 32 appearances, was sold to Paris Saint-Germain.

9

Matheus Cunha

£62.5m from Wolves

One of three big-money signings in 2025, Matheus Cunha was the first addition ahead of Ruben Amorim’s first full season in charge at Old Trafford.

Man Utd triggered the £62.5m release clause in Cunha’s Wolves contract, with the Brazilian forward set to play in behind the striker.

8

Rasmus Hojlund

£64m from Atalanta

The Red Devils won the race to sign Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta in 2023. The Denmark forward was just 20 years of age when he signed for the club and netted 10 Premier League goals during his debut campaign.

However, in 2025, Hojlund was allowed to join Napoli on loan with an obligtion to buy for £38m in 2026.

7

Benjamin Sesko

£66.4m from RB Leipzig

Benjamin Sesko was brought in before Hojlund’s exit as the new main centre-forward for the Red Devils.

The towering Slovenia striker starred for RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig before heading to Manchester in an initial deal worth more than £66m.

6

Bryan Mbeumo

£71m from Brentford

After starring in the Premier League with Brentford, Bryan Mbeumo swapped London for Manchester in a transfer worth £71m.

The versatile forward signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford which, providing he stays until 2030, will see him earn £39m in wages during his time with the Red Devils.

5

Jadon Sancho

£73m from Borussia Dortmund

Jadon Sancho failed to make the desired impact at Old Trafford after being brought in by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021.

Sancho has also had a frosty relationship with Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman publicly saying the winger wasn’t being included in matchday squads due to his performances in training. In 2024/25, he headed on loan to Chelsea, and in 2025/26, joined Aston Villa for the season.

4

Romelu Lukaku

£75m from Everton

Another big-money signing that didn’t work out for Man Utd was Romelu Lukaku, who signed from Everton in 2017.

The Belgian arrived at Old Trafford shortly after Wayne Rooney went the other way, however, Lukaku was on the move again just two years later, joining Inter Milan.

3

Harry Maguire

£80m from Leicester City

Man Utd pipped Man City to the signing of Harry Maguire from Leicester City in 2019. The centre-back has since been a hot topic of conversation at Old Trafford but has remained a regular for the majority of the time.

He’s worked under a number of managers and even captained the Red Devils for a number of years before Erik ten Hag handed that responsibility to Fernandes in 2023.

2

Antony

£81.3m from Ajax

The club splashed the cash on winger Antony to quickly reunite him with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

The Brazilian starred under Ten Hag in the Netherlands, however, after moving to England, Antony struggled to make the same impact, not exactly living up to the huge fee, and signed for Real Betis for just over £20m in 2025.

1

Paul Pogba

£89m from Juventus

Top of the list is Paul Pogba, who actually came through the academy at Carrington. The French midfielder eventually left for Juventus in 2012, but four years later, returned to Old Trafford in a huge £89m deal.

Pogba’s second stint in Manchester had plenty of ups and downs, and in 2022, he left when his contract expired.

Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has addressed sensational reports linking Thomas Muller with a World Cup assistant coach role. While praising the veteran's coaching potential, Nagelsmann has definitively ruled out a reunion for the 2026 tournament, citing Muller's contractual obligations and success with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

• Nagelsmann praises Muller's coaching potential but rules out 2026 role

  Nagelsmann has addressed speculation linking Muller with a position on his coaching staff, calling the player a future candidate but ruling him out for the 2026 World Cup. Talking to , Nagelsmann praised his former protege's suitability for a coaching role but confirmed Muller's playing commitments with Vancouver Whitecaps make any involvement next summer impossible.

  "Thomas is definitely a candidate who could hold such a position," Nagelsmann said. "What isn't there now can become one day in the future. He has what it takes to be a head coach." 

  However, Nagelsmann explained the logistical hurdles, noting: "He still has a contract in Canada until winter 2026. The coach won't be so thrilled if Thomas says: 'Yes, I'll come two or three weeks later because I still want to be an assistant coach.'"

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  MLS director credited with floating the idea

  The prospect of Muller joining the national team setup was first raised by Ernst Tanner, the sporting director of MLS side Philadelphia Union. Tanner endorsed the move, saying to : "Basically, I'm a fan of innovative ideas." His comments sparked the debate about whether the decorated veteran could be integrated into Nagelsmann's backroom team for the tournament.

• Muller focused on trophy-laden spell in Vancouver

  Nagelsmann confirmed he has been in contact with Muller and that the forward is enjoying his time in Major League Soccer. 

  "I've spoken with him a few times; he's having a great time in Vancouver right now, he's playing well, scoring a lot of goals, providing a lot of assists. And he's trying to advance football there," the Germany boss added. 

  Muller recently became the most decorated German footballer in history, winning his 35th career trophy after scoring in the Canadian Championship final to lead the Vancouver Whitecaps to victory.

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  What next for Muller and the German national team?

  While Nagelsmann has left the door open for a future collaboration, Muller will not be in the dugout for the 2026 World Cup. His focus remains on his playing career with the Whitecaps, where his contract runs until the end of 2026. Nagelsmann concluded definitively: "I'm going out on a limb here: he won't be taking on a position as assistant coach this summer – neither for me nor for any other coach." 

  Germany will therefore proceed with their existing coaching staff as they continue their World Cup qualification campaign.

Manchester City are now one step away from completing a deal for a “phenomenal” star, as his club have recently dropped their asking price.

Man City targeting new signings after Tottenham defeat

After such a promising start to the campaign, winning 4-0 away at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Man City were brought right back down to earth on Saturday afternoon, with Tottenham Hotspur once again getting the better of them at the Etihad Stadium.

James Trafford was culpable for the second goal, with Joao Palhinha capitalising after the new City goalkeeper made a stray pass in his own area, although Pep Guardiola defended his decision to select the 22-year-old.

Pep said: “He made a good first game and I decided to continue. When I take decisions in the first part of the season – for all the players you play one or two [games] – everyone thinks: ‘OK, this is the starting lineup.’ It was just today I decided that.”

However, behind-the-scenes, there may be some doubts emerging about Trafford, given that the former Burnley man remains relatively inexperienced, and a report has revealed the Blues are closing in on a more proven goalkeeper.

According to The Mirror, Man City are now one step away from signing Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, with Guardiola’s side ready to get a deal done, as long as they can sell Ederson to Galatasaray.

Crucially, PSG have now slashed their asking price significantly, with the Italian now being allowed to leave for as little as £26m, given that he has just one year remaining on his contract with the French club.

Man City set to fight PSG for skyrocketing winger amid Donnarumma talks

The Citizens are ready to swat aside the Champions League holders…

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By
Sean Markus Clifford

Aug 26, 2025

City are expecting Galatasaray to submit a new offer for Ederson, and if a suitable fee can be agreed, they will move swiftly to finalise a deal for Donnarumma, who is keen on a move to the Etihad Stadium.

"Phenomenal" Donnarumma could be instant Trafford upgrade

While Trafford impressed in the Championship last season, keeping a whopping 29 clean sheets, the PSG goalkeeper could be an instant upgrade on the Englishman, given that he is vastly more experienced at the top level.

The 26-year-old, who has been lauded as “phenomenal” by Walid Acherchour of RMC Sport, was a lynchpin of the PSG side that won the Champions League last season, with journalist Carlo Garganese highlighting him as the star against Arsenal across both semi-final legs.

That said, the Italy international isn’t the most adept with the ball at his feet, with Trafford vastly outperforming him in touches per 90 over the past year, and a number of other key metrics.

Donnarumma may not be a Guardiola-style goalkeeper, but he is proven at the highest level, and a £26m transfer fee would be a bargain.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta will personally try to convince Mikel Arteta to green-light a move for one PSG star, who he tried and failed to sign during his 12-year stay at Atletico Madrid.

Andrea Berta kick-starting Arsenal transfer plans for this summer

One of Berta’s first acts, following his confirmed appointment in late March, was to reach out to the representatives of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, according to The Guardian’s Ed Aarons, and he’s shown little sign of slowing down since then.

£42m Chelsea target now privately imagining a transfer to Arsenal instead

The Gunners are emerging as favourites.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 6, 2025

The Italian’s reputation as an astute operator in the transfer market has excited plenty of on-lookers ahead of his debut window at Arsenal, and it is believed the 53-year-old could spearhead a £300 million spend on as many as seven major signings (GiveMeSport).

According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Berta is also pushing to sign Sporting Cp striker Viktor Gyokeres, in a bid to end Arsenal’s long wait for a prolific centre-forward who can guarantee 25-plus goals-per-season for Arteta.

Arsenal are also in the market for wide players and potentially an alternative to star forward Bukayo Saka, with the England international’s spells out through injury at points this season giving Arteta a major headache.

Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sané is still a target for Arsenal in that regard, as the ex-Man City star is yet to pen fresh terms at the Allianz Arena, and his contract is due to expire this summer as things stand.

Sane switched agents at the last minute during negotiations over a new deal at Bayern, as confirmed by club president Herbert Hainer, which has now thrown a spanner in the works.

However, if the Germany international does end up officially putting pen to paper, Arsenal will need to move on to other targets.

Andrea Berta wants Lee Kang-in at Arsenal

According to a report from The Sun and journalist Simon Barlow, versatile £119,000-per-week PSG forward Lee Kang-in is attracting attention from Arsenal, and Berta specifically.

As per their information, Berta will push Arteta to approve an Arsenal swoop for Lee, coming after the 53-year-old attempted to sign him for Atletico during his time with the La Liga side.

Berta was apparently the driving force behind Atletico’s pursuit of the South Korea international when he was at Mallorca, only for him to choose a move to the Parc des Princes instead.

Lee has featured in a variety of attacking roles under Luis Enrique this term, predominantly on the right-wing, but also on the left, as an attacking midfielder, a centre-forward and even back in defence. This could be highly attractive from Arteta’s perspective, as he’s known to seriously value versatility in any new player.

PSG are also eager to sell the 24-year-old, as per this report, so a deal could be completed in quick fashion.

Manchester City aren’t exactly the most conservative club when it comes to splashing the cash, with their business back in January showing off a club that’s still unafraid to flex their muscles in the transfer market.

Omar Marmoush would join the elite Premier League side’s ranks for a whopping £59m from Eintracht Frankfurt, with his unbelievable goal return of six strikes from 13 league outings already justifying the excessive spending.

Moreover, both Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov would relocate to Manchester for a combined £83.6m, with City’s notable transfer activity showing no signs of slowing down as we head towards the dramatic summer window reopening.

Manchester City's pursuit of Florian Wirtz

Already, Pep Guardiola’s men have been linked with a barrage of exciting names to improve their midfield options, with Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White reportedly attracting the attention of those at the Etihad.

Other midfield targets on City’s radar include ex-Norwich City ace Gabriel Sara and Newcastle United fan’s favourite Sandro Tonali, but the main superstar that is dominating most of the conversation in this regard is Bayer Leverkusen hero Florian Wirtz.

The FA Cup finalists have been linked frequently with the electric German, with a wild price-tag of £101m allegedly above the 21-year-old’s head amidst growing interest.

The latest on any such deal is that Man City are still in the conversation for his signing, but according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Bayern Munich are ‘continuing to work on a deal behind the scenes.’

City will still hope they can power ahead to the front of the queue to land the much-talked-about Leverkusen number ten, but they could have avoided another splurge in the transfer department…

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Man City sold their own Florian Wirtz

City have dropped the ball a few times in recent years when letting some top talents depart the Etihad, with the example of Cole Palmer no doubt stinging to this very day.

Julian Alvarez is another sale that will hurt Guardiola and Co.

Across 103 games donning City sky blue, the explosive Argentinian would notch up a sturdy 36 strikes and 19 assists, with Alvarez adept at either leading the line for his ex-employers or slotting in as an option just behind the lone striker.

As it happens, his form since leaving Manchester behind has seen him compared to Wirtz, with data-led website FBref determining that the German is the third most similar player in this season’s edition of the Champions League.

Why? Well, Wirtz also boasts similarly devastating numbers for Leverkusen – seen in his ever-growing count of 56 goals and 63 assists from 194 clashes.

But, sticking with Alvarez, not allowing him to leave for pastures new at Atletico Madrid would have saved Guardiola’s men a lot of hassle and cash in their ongoing pursuit of a new classy performer in attack.

After all, the 25-year-old is now tearing it up in his new Spanish location as a force to be reckoned with, seen in his mightily impressive tally of 27 goals and five assists from 50 appearances at Atletico.

This amazingly betters Wirtz’s own total for the season under the tutelage of Xabi Alonso who has 28 goal contributions next to his name, culminating in Alvarez being heralded as the “best forward in the world” at the moment by journalist Roy Nemer.

City won’t be plagued with regret for too long if they do end up winning the services of their £101m-rated target, but in an alternate reality, Guardiola’s men wouldn’t need to flex their muscles again, knowing they had a Wirtz-like talent already at their disposal.

Better than Sara: Man City keen on signing "world-class" £55m star

Manchester City might well have an upgrade on Gabriel Sara up their sleeve.

By
Kelan Sarson

May 1, 2025

Chelsea left it late on Sunday, but Enzo Maresca’s Blues came away from the frantic contest at near neighbours Fulham victorious with a 2-1 win secured at the death.

Pedro Neto smashed home a fierce effort as the clock ticked down to the 93rd minute mark to clinch the dramatic three points, but he wasn’t the only main talking point right after the dust had settled at Craven Cottage.

Indeed, 19-year-old sensation Tyrique George was the hero who got his team back in the contest with the much-needed equaliser, with the teenage attacker now hopeful of more senior minutes to come after his chaotic cameo against Marco Silva’s hosts.

George's promising performances for Chelsea

George would only find himself on the Craven Cottage turf for a mere five minutes before crucially levelling the contest, leaving Maresca delighted on the sidelines that he threw the promising youngster into the game.

This isn’t the Camden-born attacker’s only senior goal of the season to date, however, with George also lethal against Legia Warsaw in mid-April, but the coolness to slot home a chance past Bernd Leno when the likes of Nicolas Jackson were otherwise floundering was mightily impressive all the same.

Now off the mark in the Premier League, George will surely be demanding more first-team opportunities come his way, with the flexible starlet, who can play as a winger or as a number ten, already boasting 36 goal contributions playing for the U18s and U21s.

But, he isn’t the only up-and-coming talent that Maresca and Co will be holding out high hopes for, with a similarly dazzling attacker perhaps more equipped to star in the first team over George.

Chalkboard

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

The "world class talent" who could dent George

The Stamford Bridge outfit haven’t always had a glowing reputation when it comes to giving their youngsters plenty of first-team minutes, but this could soon change away from George’s emergence on the scene.

After all, current Palmeiras ace Estêvão is ready and waiting to make an impression in England when he waves his native Brazil goodbye in June, having initially signed a whopping £29m deal in May last year.

The South American prodigy might well be two years younger than his new Blues teammate, but he has terrorised defences on a regular basis for Palmeiras ever since he entered into the first-team picture, leading to Chelsea splashing the cash to land the sensational 17-year-old.

Already heralded as a “world-class talent” by talent scout Jacek Kulig and as a “future Ballon d’Or winner” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, he clearly looks ready to be thrown straight into the deep-end of the Blues first team shortly, coming potentially at George’s expense.

With a hefty 26 goals scored in total for the Brazilian side at a senior level, on top of 13 assists being tallied up, Estêvão will be keen to make an impact on Maresca’s starting XI, knowing he’s ready for that next step-up in quality.

Whereas, with George only managing two goals in the Blues’ first team, on the contrary, his time to become a consistent starter might well come more down the line, with the Brazilian wonderkid also adept at filling in down either wing or as an attacking midfielder like his rawer counterpart.

In an ideal world, both players will be able to kick on next season. But, if it was a toss-up between the two, expect Estêvão to gain more meaningful first-team chances over the Englishman.

Not just Neto: Chelsea star with 100% passing is now undroppable

This Chelsea attacker could now be deemed as undroppable after his side’s dramatic away win at Fulham.

By
Kelan Sarson

Apr 20, 2025