Category Uncategorized

Carlo Ancelotti believes that England will be "dangerous" at next year's World Cup, while singing the praises of former charge Jude Bellingham. The Italian got to work with the ex-Borussia Dortmund star for two seasons at Real Madrid and has seen his quality at first hand. Not only did he talk up the 22-year-old's strengths, he also lauded his humanity.

• Ancelotti and Bellingham's close relationship

  The former Chelsea and AC Milan boss was in charge at Madrid when Bellingham was signed from Dortmund for £88 million ($115m) in 2023, and in their first season together, they won a Champions League and La Liga double. Things didn't work out quite as well last season, however, as bitter rivals Barcelona pipped Los Blancos to the league and Copa del Rey. Following news of Ancelotti's Santiago Bernabeu exit earlier this year, the England international waxed lyrical about the Italian. 

  He wrote on Instagram: "Mister, thank you for everything. It was a pleasure and a great experience to learn from the most successful manager of our club and one of the greatest of all time. What you have taught me about life and football will stick with me always, and I will be forever grateful. Good luck on your next journey, I wish you, your staff, and your family nothing but happiness!"

  And earlier this week, Ancelotti was equally as complimentary about the ex-Birmingham City starlet.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Ancelotti defends Bellingham

  The former Everton manager said on the Rest is Football podcast that Bellingham was a top player and even likened him to Brazilian great Kaka. He also dismissed any notion that the attacking midfielder has attitude problems, a topic that has come to the fore after he was not selected for Thomas Tuchel's October England squads. 

  Ancelotti said this week, "I think Jude is a fantastic player. If I have to compare, we were talking about Kaka. He is this kind of player, a really intelligent player, who is physically really strong, fantastic to arrive in the box at the right time. He's doing really well, and maybe he had a problem with his shoulder. He was out for two or three months, now he's back. No question mark. But why do you have to put a question mark on Bellingham?"

  He added, "No, I never had a problem with Jude about his attitude. He is really professional, really serious, works hard in training, like all English players do. And no, no complaints."

  And on Friday, when asked if Bellingham was one of the best midfielders in the world, Ancelotti replied, "What do you expect me to say? Yes or no? Of course. One of the best. I had a good relationship with him. He helped me to win one Champions League in 2024. So for me, I am a little bit involved in the judgement of Jude Bellingham, but he is a good guy and a great player."

• England backed to be a threat at World Cup

  Following England's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Serbia, in a game where Bellingham was a second-half substitute, Ancelotti stated that the Three Lions could go deep at next year's tournament in North America.

  "England will be dangerous for sure,” he said. “They have fantastic quality, a fantastic manager. I saw them play last night against Serbia. They are a team with a lot of quality and of course. Maybe they will say they will not compete but I am sure they will compete and try to win the World Cup."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  What comes next for Bellingham?

  While Bellingham is back fit and is making an impression at Madrid once more, scoring three goals and adding an assist in 11 games for the Spanish giants, he is being kept out of the England team by Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers. While competition for places will be fierce, Tuchel says Bellingham and Rogers are on good terms.

  "It is normal, but he's one of the best mates of Jude, so I don't think he feels that kind of pressure. They compete at the moment for the same position, and they're still friends," he said. "They are very respectful with each other and like each other. Morgan deserved to stay on the pitch because he had three fantastic performances with him and second of all we didn't know what was coming if our plan was right with the high press. It would be unfair for Jude to try to figure everything out because we changed our way of pressing in the last two camps. Declan [Rice], Morgan, and Harry [Kane] did it already in three to four matches together. I figured they could adapt a bit quicker. Once we see the formation, we can give clear instructions to Phil [Foden] and Jude and bring them from the bench."

A number of decisions made by TV umpire Adrian Holdstock during the Barbados Test between West Indies and Australia have come in for scrutiny

Andrew McGlashan27-Jun-2025

West Indies coach Daren Sammy has raised questions about the work of TV umpire Adrian Holdstock during the opening Test against Australia in Barbados after the second day’s play involved a number of contentious reviews.Sammy met with match referee Javagal Srinath after play on Thursday to seek clarity over the decision-making, adding that he held concerns about Holdstock’s officiating from the recent ODI series in England, where he was TV umpire for two matches and on-field for the other.The two key decisions which West Indies felt went against them on the second day were an lbw against captain Roston Chase off the bowling of Pat Cummins, despite what they believed was evidence of an inside edge, and Shai Hope being brilliantly caught behind by Alex Carey off Beau Webster with the catch ruled clean after it was sent upstairs by the on-field umpires.Related

Sammy fined for criticising third umpire Holdstock

Chase calls out 'so many questionable calls' in Barbados Test

'Enough chances being created' – quicks could call the shots on third day in Barbados too

Out or not out? Third umpire in the spotlight at Barbados Test

Fast bowlers and TV umpire headline a rollercoaster day

“We are just trying to find some sort of understanding as to what the process is,” Sammy said. “We only hope for consistency. That’s all we could ask for. When there is doubt in something, just be consistent across the board.”I have noticed, especially with this particular umpire, it’s something that for me started in England. It’s frustrating. I just ask for consistency in the decision-making.”When asked to clarify whether he was specifically referencing Holdstock, Sammy said: “Yeah, look, you don’t want to get yourself in a situation where you’re wondering about certain umpires. Is there something against this team? But when you see decision after decision, then it raises the question. I know he’s here for the series. You don’t want to go in a Test match having that doubt.”So I want to have that conversation as to the process… so we could be all clear. Because, at the end of the day, you don’t want to be going into a Test match not trusting the umpires. And that’s not what our team is about. So we’re just looking for some clarity as to the decisions.”Asked whether West Indies would be lodging a formal complaint, Sammy said, “You’ll have to wait and see for that.”On Chase’s dismissal, which came at a crucial moment after lunch with the sixth-wicket stand with Hope on 67, he said: “In our opinion, we saw the ball deviated onto the pad.”With regards to Hope’s wicket, an inside edge that was held to his left by a diving Carey, Sammy did not say he did not believe it was a clean catch but drew a comparison with the reprieve Travis Head received on the first day when a catch taken by Hope behind the stumps was ruled to not have carried.”I’m just saying, judge what you see,” Sammy said. “If you see the same thing and one is not out, there is even more doubt on the other one than you give it out. Again, I don’t know what he’s seen but from the images that we’ve seen, the decisions are not fair enough for both teams. We’re all humans. Mistakes will be made. I just want fairness.”Australia also thought they had a decision go against them in the first over of the day when an lbw appeal against Chase was referred with the belief it was pad first, which initial replays suggested could be the case, before Holdstock determined there was insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decision. Mitchell Starc questioned whether the images and audio on the replays were matching up.The Test is still in the balance with West Indies striking on the second evening after taking a lead of ten runs•Randy Brooks/Associated Press

“There’s been some interesting ones,” Starc said. “Obviously a couple more have gone against the West Indies than us. One for us [against Chase] looked like there was a gap between the bat and the ball, it cost us 40-odd runs, but then a contentious one to then get the wicket.”As players, you can only ask a question. We don’t use the technology to make that decision. It sort of felt like, or looked like, that the Snicko and the images were out of sync to some capacity.”Starc added that the Australians thought that Head’s edge through to Hope the previous day was out.Sammy, meanwhile, was aware of the risk of commenting on the match officials and had not wanted his players speaking on the decisions after play. “We know the rules. We know fines going all across the board,” he said. “I don’t want them to focus on that. Yes, we’re kind of shooting ourselves in the foot by dropping so many catches, but look at the Test match, [us] against our own selves, some of these decisions, and we’re still in a position to win.”

Disappointment, frustration and false hope are undoubtedly the best ways to describe the current situation at Manchester United football at present.

The younger generation of supporters will likely have followed in their loved one’s footsteps in following the Red Devils, but many won’t have seen the success achieved in years gone by.

Sir Alex Ferguson put the club on the map with his near 27-year stint in charge, leaving Old Trafford as a footballing legend given his tally of 16 top-division titles.

The Scotsman gave the fanbase a reason to be proud of following the club, subsequently helping them achieve the global status they currently possess.

However, it’s not been all plain sailing for everyone involved at the Theatre of Dreams in recent years, currently enduring a 12-year drought without a Premier League title.

Such a spell doesn’t appear to be coming to an end anytime soon, especially if the man currently leading the side doesn’t change his current philosophy on the field.

The failures of Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system

Back in November, huge excitement was built up within the United fanbase after Ruben Amorim took the reins following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag a few weeks prior.

He won the Liga Portugal title back in the 2023/24 campaign, doing so with a 3-4-2-1 system, which he also brought with him after making the move to Old Trafford.

It was a radical change from the 4-2-3-1 often utilised by former Red Devils managers, but it’s one that has failed to change their fortunes on the pitch since his appointment.

The 40-year-old has only achieved a measly 38% win percentage in the role, winning just eight Premier League games, which resulted in the club’s 15th-placed finish in 2024/25.

Amorim’s fortunes haven’t changed in the new season, only winning one of the last four outings and even losing the most recent outing against local rivals Manchester City.

He also spoke out after the defeat, with huge questions being asked about his current system, but insisted he won’t be moving away from his current philosophy.

However, it’s clear that after 47 matches in charge, he’s been unable to transform the squad, desperately needing a change in system if he is to save his job in the coming weeks.

The player who Amorim must unleash in a system change

Much has been made about the lack of success at United over recent years, but fingers have been pointed to the way of the manager and the hierarchy, given the poor recruitment.

Rasmus Hojlund was Amorim’s number one centre-forward option last campaign, but massively failed to deliver, only scoring four times in the Premier League throughout his 32 appearances.

The Dane was subsequently moved on during the summer transfer window, leaving on loan to join Serie A side Napoli – with the deal potentially turning into a permanent one next summer.

However, he’s already hit the ground running for Antonio Conte’s side, scoring on his debut against Fiorentina last weekend – which could indicate that he was held back by Amorim’s system.

Another player who’s suffered since Amorim’s arrival is academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo, with his career massively stagnating over the last couple of months.

The 20-year-old burst onto the scene in 2023/24, registering 35 appearances in all competitions and finding the net five times from his deep-lying midfield position.

Goals against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City in the FA Cup were memorable moments for the youngster, but also ones that made him a regular starter under Ten Hag.

He was even included in England’s Euro 2024 squad, making six appearances throughout the tournament, which led to Alex Turk labelling him a “£100m-plus footballer”.

However, Mainoo has only been restricted to 22 starts in the last 12 months, none of which have come in the early stages of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

As a result of his lack of action, the player requested a loan move during the summer, but it was rejected – a decision that could prove to be a blessing in disguise if Amorim changes his system.

A 4-3-3 formation could allow the Red Devils to have more solidity in the middle of the park, with Mainoo able to regain regular minutes in a trio alongside Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.

His reduced minutes last season restricted his progress, but the youngster managed to produce some impressive figures, which highlight his ability to play in a box-to-box role.

He created 1.7 chances per 90 and completed 1.7 dribbles per 90, subsequently allowing him to develop the ball into forward areas and find the new £200m trio at the top end of the pitch.

Mainoo also won 63% of the tackles he entered, making 1.2 interceptions alongside such a tally – showcasing his ability to regain possession and have a positive impact at both ends.

If he can replicate such numbers in a system change, there’s no reason as to why he can’t once again be a key component in any future success at Old Trafford.

However, the main focus at present will be on the managerial situation, with Amorim desperately needing to move away from his current philosophy if the club are to overturn their dismal ongoing slump.

Amorim can save his job by axing Man Utd flop who is this season's Onana

Ruben Amorim is certainly facing the sack at Manchester United if he doesn’t change their fortunes.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 16, 2025

قدم محمد صلاح نجم ليفربول لمحة عن رد فعل آرني سلوت المحتمل على تراجع أداء ليفربول، بعد أن خسر ستة من آخر سبع مباريات في جميع المسابقات بعد خروجهم من كأس كاراباو على يد كريستال بالاس.

وغادر ليفربول مسابقة كأس كاراباو بعد أن تلقى هدفين من إسماعيلا سار وهدف متأخر من بينو، ولم لكن هذا سوى استمرار للتراجع الذي شهده فريق سلوت وخسارة مبارياته الأربع الأخيرة في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتراجع ليفربول لاحتلال المركز السابع في جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي ويواجه اختبارًا صعبًا أمام أستون فيلا يوم السبت ثم مباراتين ضد ريال مدريد ومانشستر سيتي.

ونشرت صحيفة “ميرور” البريطانية أن الأنظار تتجه إلى أداء ليفربول في المباريات القادمة حيث يسعى آرني سلوت لتجاوز أول تحدياته الرئيسية في عهده.

وكان آرني سلوت قد قام بضم فيديريكو كييزا لقائمته في الموسم الماضي، في الوقت الذي هيمن فيه ليفربول على الدوري الإنجليزي وقد أثرت صفقات الفريق هذا الموسم على استعادة الفريق لتوازنه.

أقرأ أيضاً.. سلوت: غير مهتم بعقدي مع ليفربول.. والماضي لا يهمني

وكان محمد صلاح قد سبق وأن شرح كيفية تعامل سلوت مع النكسات خاصة التي تبعت فوز ليفربول ضد ساوثهامبتون بثلاثية لهدف واحد في مارس الموسم الماضي، وكان ليفربول قد تأخر في النتيجة في الشوط الأول مما أثار استياء المدرب قبل أن يسجل نونيز في الشوط الثاني ثم أحرز صلاح ركلتي جزاء ليحصل الفريق على النقاط الثلاث ومن المرجح أن يكون لسلوت رد فعل مماثل على سلسلة هزائم فريقه الأخيرة.

واعترف صلاح بأن مدرب ليفربول كان غاضباً من لاعبيه بعد معاناتهم من صعوبات في خلق الفرص ضد ساوثهامبتون وتلقيهم أهدافًا قبل لحظات من نهاية الشوط الأول.

وأضاف صلاح: “كان الأمر محبطًا بعض الشيء، كان يوجه ضربة قوية لنا، كنا متراخين وبطيئين في الشوط الأول، لا أعتقد أننا لعبنا بشكل جيد، إذا أردت الفوز بالأبطال أو البريميرليج عليك الفوز بهذه المباريات”.

وكشف سلوت في مؤتمره الصحفي بعد المباراة أنه خاطب لاعبيه في غرفة الملابس: “لا أعتقد أنني كنت مخطئاً هذه المرة إذا قلت بين الشوطين أن طاقة الفريق كانت منخفضة جداً وهذا ما كان علي تغييره ولهذا السبب أجرينا ثلاث تبديلات”.

وأوضح سلوت مشاعره بإجراء ثلاث تبديلات بين الشوطين مما أثار رد فعل إيجابي من فريقه ويجد المدرب صعوبة في إعادة إحياء فريقه هذا الموسم.

سلطت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، الضوء على المباراة التي جمعت بين فريقي يوفنتوس وكومو، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإيطالي لكرة القدم، موسم 2025/26.

وحل يوفنتوس ضيفًا على كومو في الجولة السابعة من بطولة الدوري الإيطالي لذلك الموسم، حيث خسر اليوفي بهدفين دون رد. أهداف مباراة كومو ويوفنتوس في الدوري الإيطالي

جاءت هزيمة يوفنتوس في مباراة اليوم قبل صدامه بـ ريال مدريد، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثالثة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري، يوم الأربعاء المقبل.

وتحدثت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية عن مباراة يوفنتوس وكومو، خاصة مع تألق نيكو باز، رفقة أصحاب الأرض، حيث لعب دورًا مهمًا في فوز فريقه قبل صدام الملكي في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وانتقل نيكو باز إلى يوفنتوس قادمًا من ريال مدريد، ذلك الصيف، بمقتضى عقد ساري لمدة 4 سنوات، مع وجود بند خاص للملكي يتيح له إعادة شراء اللاعب.

ودخل كومو تلك المباراة بدون مدربه سيسك فابريجاس، الذي تم إيقافه لمباراتين بسبب إهانته الحكم خلال مباراة كريمونيزي، وكذلك بدون خيسوس رودريجيز الموقوف كذلك، كما تعرض جاكبو راموس قلب الدفاع للإصابة خلال عمليات الإحماء.

ورغم ذلك، لم تتعقد الأمور على كومو، حسب وصف الصحيفة نفسها، حيث بدأ أصحاب الأرض المباراة بشكل أفضل عن طريق ضغطهم المعهود بعد فقدان الكرة، وكان الضغط كبيرًا لدرجهم حصولهم على ركنية بعد 3 دقائق مما منحهم هدف التقدم.

اقرأ أيضًا | كومو يعلن.. هل يريد “المتألق” نيكو باز العودة إلى ريال مدريد؟

ونفذ نيكو باز الركلة الركنية لكومو، ومررها إلى دا كونها، الذي أعاد الكرة من جديد إلى لاعب ريال مدريد السابق، ليسدد كرة قوية إلى القائم البعيد ناحية زميله مارك كيمب، وسجل هدفًا.

ومنذ ذلك الحين، تحولت المباراة إلى لقاء تبادلي مع فرص لكلا الجانبين، لكنها اتسمت بنقص الدقة في الدقائق الأخيرة، وهو ما أثر سلبًا على يوفنتوس طوال المباراة.

وتغزلت الصحيفة في نيكو باز، اللاعب الأكثر صناعة للفرص في الدوري الإيطالي، والذي حسم المباراة لصالح كومو ضد يوفنتوس بعدما مرر بيروني الكرة إليه، وسيطر عليها وراوغ مدافع الخصم وسدد كرة يسارية ناحية المرمى.

وساهم نيكو باز في 8 أهداف ذلك الموسم، متفوقًا على أي لاعب آخر في إيطاليا خلال النسخة الحالية، كما إنه يتصدر قائمة هدافي وصانعي الألعاب في الموسم برصيد 4 أهداف و4 أسيستات.

وأكدت الصحيفة أن الأرجنتيني يُعد أفضل لاعب في الدوري الإيطالي هذا الموسم حتى الآن، مع العلم إنه قاد كومو لإلحاق أول هزيمة بـ يوفنتوس في الموسم الحالي، بعدما فاز في 3 مباريات وتعادل في مثلها.

Sarah Coyte is aiming for an astonishing 10th state title against a Queensland side further hit by Georgia Voll’s absence

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff01-Mar-2025

New South Wales veteran Sarah Coyte makes no secret of the fact a grand-final win on Sunday over Queensland would mean more than her first six WNCL titles with the state.”Just for the sheer fact that NSW have spent the last four or five years rebuilding,” Coyte told AAP.Coyte, at age 33, is one of the last remaining members of NSW’s days as the powerhouse of women’s domestic cricket. She won six competitions with the state between 2010 and 2015, as part of the Breakers’ record run of 10 straight titles in the 2000s and 2010s.Related

UPW pick Georgia Voll as replacement for Chamari Athapaththu for WPL 2025

Wilson bides her time in Australia's tight wicketkeeping race

So dominant were the Breakers in the early days of the 50-over WNCL, they claimed 20 of the first 23 competitions and finished runners-up in the other three.”Back when NSW kept winning, it was just an expectation, because we had all the big names,” Coyte said. “The program has completely changed since then. You don’t have as many big names, the Australian team have always got something on. Now we have to fight and work so hard for it, and it shows.”Coyte is no stranger to winning. On leaving NSW for South Australia in 2015-16, she broke NSW’s streak with a title there. Another two came in Tasmania, with the seamer now gunning for a 10th WNCL title in 13 full seasons separated by a mid-career break.”It would be the ultimate. It would mean everything for NSW to be back at the top,” she said. “Not just for me but for Cricket NSW to be back after having to rebuild.”Winning machine: Sarah Coyte is searching for a 10th WNCL title•Getty Images

The changed nature of the WNCL means Sunday’s final features no Australian players, with Queensland’s Georgia Voll the last to leave for India and the WPL on Friday. But that does open the door for other players to eye off lifelong dreams. For table-toppers Queensland, up to six of their XI will hunt a first title after losing to Tasmania in last year’s decider.”It’s disappointing – we would have loved her to play, and I know she would have loved to have played as well, but it’s a great opportunity for her and a good reward for her season so far,” Queensland captain Georgia Redmayne said. “Considering the urgency to get her to India, I really hope they give her the opportunity she deserves on Tuesday.””The good thing about having so many players in and out is that we’ve been able to give a lot of opportunities to a lot of girls throughout the season. Everyone in our squad of 13 has played games this season, so everyone’s been there and been exposed to it – we’re not bringing new players into the team suddenly for a final so I think that bodes well for us.”Georgia Voll has beeen handed a late call-up to the WPL•Getty Images

For NSW, a new generation wants success after finishing fifth and sixth for the past two years. And for the likes of senior Breakers quick Sammy-Jo Johnson and spinner Sam Bates, a title shot awaits after NSW’s dominance was a double-edged sword as teenagers.Knowing only of NSW’s stars winning, both were forced to move to Queensland and ACT respectively for a chance before returning in recent years.”The goal for me growing up was to play for NSW,” Johnson said. “That’s all I dreamt about, I just wanted to wear a baggy blue. But Queensland gave me an opportunity, and I wouldn’t have made a name for myself if I didn’t go chase it somewhere else.”Now, they know the chance awaits for NSW to create a new legacy on Sunday.”The history is very rich, but the cool thing about this group is we’ve forged our own path,” Johnson said. “We’ve gone through the struggles. We’ve had so many injuries … We’ve had to go through the grind.”WNCL final squadsQueensland Georgia Redmayne (capt), Charli Knott, Lily Bassingthwaighte, Lucinda Bourke, Sianna Ginger, Lilli Hamilton, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Laura Harris, Grace Parsons, Courtney Sippel, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Mikayla WrigleyNew South Wales Georgia Adams (capt), Sam Bates, Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle, Sarah Coyte, Hannah Darlington, Elsa Hunter, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Claire Moore, Frankie Nicklin, Kate Pelle, Tahlia Wilson

It has been a curious summer for Aston Villa so far. Unai Emery’s side have not brought in many first-team players aside from Evann Guessand.

The Ivorian striker joined the club from French side Nice for a fee of £30m, but forgetting deal, the Villans have been quiet as far as marquee additions are concerned.

There have been departures, with Jacob Ramsey moving to Newcastle United and Leon Bailey switching to Roma.

Next to leave could be star striker Ollie Watkins. The England international is said to be a key target for the Magpies, who Villa faced last weekend.

Well, whatever the future is of the former Brentford star, it seems as though Villa will look to sign another striker of their own.

Aston Villa's latest striker target

It will be interesting to see if the Villans can keep hold of Watkins this summer. The forward has been linked with a move away for several weeks, and with Newcastle sniffing around, another departure could be on the cards.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

Regardless of his future, a report from Sky Sports has revealed that Villa have ‘explored the conditions of a deal’ to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea.

The Senegalese attacker informed the Blues that ‘he wants to consider his options during the transfer window’, and Villa could now pounce.

At this stage, it is unclear if this deal would be a loan or a permanent move, but with Chelsea still targeting more summer transfers, they may need to sell Jackson to raise funds.

That could mean Villa have to pay his £80m price tag, a fee that was reported last month.

Why Jackson would be a good signing

There is a case to be made that Jackson is one of the Premier League’s most polarising players. Yet, people like football scout Antonio Mango have highly praised him in the past, describing him as an “elite” forward.

Indeed, his numbers from his time as a Chelsea player show great promise. The former Villarreal striker has played 81 games for the West Londoners, scoring 30 times and assisting a further 12.

He also has a knack for scoring in big games, which would surely pique Villa’s interest. The forward has bagged against Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and, of course, in the 2025 Conference League final. That header against Real Betis showed some of the “elite” centre-forward play that Mango referenced.

Of course, stepping into Watkins’ shoes at Villa Park would not be an easy thing for the Chelsea striker.

With 75 goals to his name in the Premier League, no Villa player has ever bagged more, according to Transfermarkt.

The five full seasons he has spent at Villa have been impressive for the England international. He’s hit double-figure goals in the Premier League every season, with the most he has scored in one season being 2023/24, where he bagged 19 times in the top flight.

The underlying numbers from last season suggest Jackson could be Emery’s new Watkins. The pair are said to be statistically similar in 2024/25, via FBref, with the Chelsea star averaging 0.61 goals and assists and 1.13 key passes per 90 minutes, and Watkins notching up 0.83 goals and assists and 0.83 key passes each game.

Jackson and Watkins key stats compared

Stat (per 90)

Jackson

Watkins

Goals and assists

0.61

0.83

Key passes

1.13

0.83

Shot-creating actions

2.80

1.84

Progressive carries

1.90

1.90

Ball recoveries

1.94

1.49

Stats from FBref

Aside from the underlying numbers, the two players both share a key attribute: their ability to run in behind.

This is something Watkins himself described as his “bread and butter” after his Euro 2024 semi-final winner against the Netherlands. Sky Sports analyst Nick Wright said one of Jackson’s key strengths is that he can “stretch defences” and make runs beyond the defence.

So, there is certainly evidence to suggest that this is a deal that works for Villa. Emery has, of course, coached Jackson before at Villarreal and knows the exact profile he would like for his side, which Jackson seems to fill. £80m is a big investment, but it could be a wise move for the Villans.

Related He’d thrive with Asensio: Aston Villa "exploring a deal" for £80m "monster"

Aston Villa could soon snap up a late deal for this exciting striker, alongside Marco Asensio rejoining.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Aug 20, 2025

Pep Guardiola has claimed he would not swap his Manchester City striker Erling Haaland for any other player in the world.

• Coach believes Norwegian 'above' Liverpool hitman
• Haaland scored six times during international window
• Foden returns for derby against Man Utd

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has hailed his new signing and Premier League record transfer Alexander Isak as "maybe the best striker in the world" but Guardiola believes his own forward Haaland is better than the Sweden hitman and every other striker on the planet.

Advertisement

• WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  Guardiola told a press conference: "Erling is a little bit above. Isak is an exceptional player. But you asked me about Erling and he is top.
  Isak must be a top player because of what they paid. It's a game of opinions. Another one would say [Kylian] Mbappe, [Lionel] Messi, Cristiano [Ronaldo]… I wouldn’t change Erling for anyone. I know him. I like him."

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Haaland has scored three goals already this season although he missed several big chances in City's last outing against Brighton as Guardiola's side slid to their second defeat in three matches. The striker, however, is in frightening form ahead of the derby against Manchester United on Sunday, having scored five times in one match for Norway against Moldova and getting the only goal – from the penalty spot – against Finland.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• DID YOU KNOW?

  City will be without striker Omar Marmoush against United after he picked up a knee injury in action for Egypt, while Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri are also out and John Stones is doubtful. Phil Foden, however, has recovered in time for the derby.

An “unbelievable” Liverpool star has now reached an agreement over a big money move to a new club.

Players who could leave Liverpool this summer

It has been a huge summer of change at Anfield, with new signings Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong adding a huge amount of quality to Arne Slot’s squad.

That said, the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Jarell Quansah have left the club, and there could be more current Liverpool players who follow them out of the exit door before the new Premier League season gets underway.

Darwin Nunez appears to be the most likely next person to leave Liverpool in the coming days and weeks, with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal the favourites to snap him up. There are also doubts surrounding the future of Kostas Tsmikas, while Tyler Morton is set to join Lyon.

Meanwhile, there is no guarantee that Harvey Elliott will still be a Reds player come the end of the summer transfer window, as he looks for more playing time at a new club.

"Unbelievable" Liverpool ace close to exit

Now, according to Rudy Galetti on X, Liverpool striker Nunez has reached an agreement to join Al-Hilal, and the Uruguayan has “given the green light” to the move for a “significant” amount of money. The deal is edging closer, but there is still the small matter of agreeing a fee, with talks between the clubs ongoing.

This feels like a good outcome for Liverpool, with the £140,000-a-week Nunez not at the level required to be a genuinely strong option for them moving forward. The 26-year-old has now been a Reds player for three years, but there have only been sporadic moments of quality, such as Ally McCoist hailing his assist for Elliott against Paris Saint-Germain last season.

“Unbelievable football from Darwin Nunez, because nine times out of ten he hits this. He doesn’t, he takes the right option. Watch Nunez, usually he pulls the trigger there, it looks a simple pass and it is but it’s there to hit first time, that’s the secret of it.”

Darwin Nunez’s Liverpool stats

Total

Appearances

143

Goals

40

Assists

26

If Liverpool can get a deal over the line for Alexander Isak, and have Ekitike as another great option, Nunez’s exit is unlikely to affect them much, with all due respect to a popular player Anfield.

His finishing is as unpredictable as it was when he joined Liverpool, and his link-up play can also flatter to deceive – he will depart as a likeable player who ultimately didn’t come close to living up to the hype.

Following the frustration of transfer failure, PIF are now confident that they’ll sign one of their top targets after Newcastle United reportedly submitted a fresh bid worth around £55m.

The transfers that could turn Newcastle's summer around

Those at St James’ Park first attempted to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford at the start of this summer, only for reports to claim that he has picked Manchester United over anyone else. Then, the Magpies reportedly set their sights on Joao Pedro before he completed a familiar move from Brighton & Hove Albion to Chelsea. Newcastle were once again sent back to the drawing board.

In that time, however, a number of fresh targets have entered their radar while a deal to sign long-term target James Trafford looks likely to get over the line at long last this summer.

Alongside Trafford, the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Harvey Elliott have both reportedly entered Newcastle’s radar as they look to sign an attacking reinforcement. With Mbeumo likely to join Manchester United and Pedro already confirmed as a Chelsea player, Elliott and Kudus represent an ideal plan B this summer.

The latter has attracted plenty of interest already this summer and could yet be on his way out of West Ham United. Elliott, meanwhile, is reportedly likely to leave Liverpool in search of more game time elsewhere this summer.

According to the most recent reports, however, it may be neither of those options that end Newcastle’s search for a winger. Instead, it could be one of their top targets to begin turning their summer fortunes around.

Newcastle submit fresh Elanga bid

According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle have now submitted a fresh £55m bid to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and PIF want the deal done “as soon as possible”. Those at St James’ Park are reportedly confident that the 22-cap Swede will become a Newcastle player and they will get their £55m offer green lit by Nottingham Forest.

If Newcastle manage to get deals over the line for both Trafford and Elanga, as is likely to be the case at this stage, then any early summer struggles will become an afterthought for Eddie Howe.

Newcastle now ready to hijack Sunderland move to sign £43m "leader"

The Magpies could deal their rivals quite the blow.

1 ByTom Cunningham Jul 4, 2025

Elanga’s arrival will particularly excite fans if the Magpies push on and welcome the winger in the coming weeks. The Forest star, who was described by Nuno Espirito Santo described as “special” last season, could form one of the deadliest front threes in the Premier League alongside Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.