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Celtic are back from the international break and find themselves preparing for a tough run of fixtures, including the start of their Europa League campaign under Brendan Rodgers.

The Irishman has spoken in frank fashion about the frustration he faced during the summer transfer window, claiming his side ‘weren’t ready’ for their Champions League playoff match against Kairat Almaty after the Parkhead hierarchy failed to push critical deals over the line.

Not Nygren: Rodgers must bench Celtic flop to hand new signing a debut

Brendan Rodgers must drop this Celtic lightweight to unleash one of his new signings.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 14, 2025

Nevertheless, the Bhoys brought in ten new players by the end of the market period before Kelechi Iheanacho was released from his Sevilla contract to sign as a free agent.

However, the lack of synergy between the Celtic board and Rodgers has been on show for all to see, and one of his lesser-spotted summer signings has now sent an intriguing social media message that may explain his own situation in a little more detail.

Celtic loanee Jahmai Simpson-Pusey sends cryptic Instagram message

Taking to Instagram, Celtic summer signing Jahmai Simpson-Pusey changed his profile picture on the platform to reflect a message that said ‘Delays teach patience, which prepares you for blessings’ after failing to make a first-team appearance since arriving on loan from Manchester City.

Becoming the Hoops’ eighth addition of the window, the 19-year-old has also been left out of the Bhoys’ Europa League squad by Rodgers alongside Callum Osmand, Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamura, causing some to question why he was acquired in the first place.

For now, Lennoxtown product Dane Murray appears to be ahead of Simpson-Pusey in the pecking order and is usually first in line to come off the bench when Rodgers decides to shuffle his backline around.

Regardless, there is a long season ahead for the reigning Scottish Premiership champions, and there is every chance that the England youth international could have a part to play as his loan club pursue another domestic treble.

What has Brendan Rodgers said about Jahmai Simpson-Pusey?

Shortly after his arrival in Glasgow was confirmed, Rodgers admitted to the press before his side defeated Aberdeen in August that Simpson-Pusey may be some way off featuring regularly due to his lack of a full-intensity pre-season.

He stated via Sky Sports: “He’s a little bit away in fairness to Jahmai. He’s been training with the small group at Manchester City and isn’t quite up to speed yet. You can see his quality straightaway and it’s just going to take a bit of time in terms of his fitness and the intensity.”

Clearly, Simpson-Pusey is a man with plenty of talent, given he claimed the Premier League 2 Player of the Season award last term and also made six appearances in the first-team under Pep Guardiola.

Now, he faces the challenge of nailing down a regular slot in Celtic’s backline, which may require persistence as the Manchester-born man looks to unseat the likes of Liam Scales, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty over the coming months.

Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a £60m opening bid for a “sensational” English star, who could now be open to a move to N17.

Tottenham looking to bolster attacking options despite Simons capture

Tottenham managed to get a deal for Xavi Simons over the line in the final stages of the summer transfer window, with Thomas Frank eager to bring in a new playmaker, given that James Maddison has been ruled out with an ACL injury.

However, Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard has since suggested there are some doubts over the signing of Simons, given that he was not always consistent enough in an RB Leipzig shirt due to concerns about his attitude.

Tottenham confirm takeover "interest" after Levy exit, several parties keen

There have been suggestions that ENIC could look to sell Tottenham Hotspur…

By
Dominic Lund

Sep 8, 2025

It remains to be seen whether the Dutchman can adapt to life in the Premier League, but it appears as though ENIC are pressing ahead with a move for a different attacker regardless.

According to a report from The Boy Hotspur, Tottenham are now plotting a £60m opening bid for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, who is capable of playing on both wings and through the middle.

Spurs are said to be implementing a more aggressive transfer strategy following the departure of Levy, and they are now planning to test Villa’s resolve, although Unai Emery’s side are probably not inclined to accept £60m, given that they value Rogers at £100m.

The English attacker could now be open to a move to north London, with Frank’s side taking more concrete action towards securing his signature than Chelsea, who have also been named as potential suitors.

"Sensational" Rogers could kickstart new era at Tottenham

While ENIC have made it clear they have no plans to sell, Levy’s departure marks the start of a new era for Tottenham, who are now expected to be more willing to spend big in the transfer market.

As such, Spurs may be able to compete for Rogers’ signature, and there is every indication he could be a fantastic acquisition, having once again performed very well for Villa last season, picking up 19 goal contributions in 37 Premier League games.

Journalist Eduardo Hagn lauded the England international as “sensational” back in April, and he also proved himself in the Champions League, picking up four goals and three assists in 12 outings.

Rogers is clearly ready to take the next big step in his career, and with Tottenham planning to be more ambitious following Levy’s exit, a move to N17 could be ideal.

Harry Kane has been told that he would post similar numbers to Erling Haaland if handed the No.9 jersey at Manchester City. The Blues were keen on the England captain at one stage, as they sought to bring another prolific presence onto their books. No deal was done with Tottenham and Kane ultimately headed to Bayern Munich, with Norwegian striker Haaland being added to star-studded ranks at the Etihad Stadium.

• Haaland goals 2025-26: Stunning numbers of Man City striker

  Haaland has been a sensational addition for City, helping them to a Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League Treble in his debut season. He hit 52 goals in the 2022-23 campaign. He won a second Golden Boot during his second year in England and has reached 136 efforts in total for City through 155 appearances. He is just six short of 100 in the English top-flight.

  The 25-year-old has been in stunning form this season, reaching 21 goals across 12 appearances for City and Norway. He hit a hat-trick for his country in a World Cup qualifier with Israel, having previously posted five efforts in an 11-1 demolition of Moldova. He tops the Premier League scoring charts again with nine goals there.

  Kane is not far behind, with the 32-year-old finding the target on 18 occasions for Bayern and England through 10 outings. He has two hat-tricks to his name and is looking to land the Bundesliga Golden Boot for a third successive season – having moved to Germany in 2023 and breaking his much-publicised trophy duck.

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  Would Kane be as prolific for Man City as Haaland is?

  Kane has not scored fewer than 24 goals across the last 11 campaigns and is considered to be – as the all-time leading scorer for Spurs and the Three Lions – one of the greatest frontmen to ever play the game. What would have happened had he headed to the blue half of Manchester?

  When that question was put to former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin, he told : “I've always thought from an outsider's perspective, if you put Harry in Manchester City's team, with the chances they were creating, would he have scored the same amount of goals as Haaland? I would not be in the least bit surprised if he did.

  “As a pure footballer, Harry can play more positions, he can move into those deeper positions. I've been fortunate enough to see Harry play quite a few times for Bayern Munich. When you are watching a game when Haaland is at his best, your eye is always drawn to him. It seems like there are 21 footballers out there and Haaland.

  “If you go and watch Harry Kane at Bayern, one of the top teams in the world, it is Kane and 10 others. He is a force of nature. And not just in Bundesliga games. I am talking Champions League games. He is a colossus.”

• Does England captain Kane get the recognition he deserves?

  It has been suggested that Kane does not receive the recognition that his exploits deserve, with the Bayern talisman tumbling to 13th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or vote. Former Scotland international Nevin added on that debate: “Far be it from a Scotsman to tell English people what to think, but although much-loved I still think Harry is slightly underestimated. This guy is utterly and completely brilliant.

  “It is no denigration of Erling Haaland, who is one of the great players in world football. In England, they admire Harry and all the rest of it, but he also should be considered one of the greats in world football. Maybe he's not seen as that in England, but he is.

  “Harry's numbers are fantastic. They are even better when you consider a lot of these numbers were achieved when he was playing with Spurs. Spurs were a good side but they weren't Manchester City. It's not a problem with Haaland, but I just don't think Harry is put into that bracket often enough.”

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  Kane future: Transfer clauses & Premier League return rumours

  It has been revealed that Kane has clauses in his contract that could be triggered in the summer transfer window of 2026. He would be available for £57 million ($76m), ahead of the final year of his deal in Munich, and there have been claims that he may be tempted to return to England and chase down Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League goals record.

An “outstanding” Liverpool player is now reportedly on the verge of leaving the club this summer, with the Reds reaching an agreement with a new club and a medical set to take place next week.

Players who could leave Liverpool this summer

While much focus is on the shiny new signings arriving at Anfield, with Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz already brought in and Milos Kerkez on the way, there are a host of Reds players who are expected to depart ahead of next season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has already moved on to Real Madrid and his great friend and fellow full-back Andy Robertson has been strongly linked with a summer switch to Atletico Madrid, potentially bringing an end to eight legendary years at the club in the process.

Jarell Quansah has also been backed to seal a summer exit, having struggled to kick on during the 2024/25 season, and the same applies to Harvey Elliott, who has hinted at leaving the club he grew up supporting in recent weeks and has been linked with a move to Brighton.

In attack, Mohamed Salah genuinely feels like the only player whose future isn’t up in the air, with Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez feeling particularly likely to wave goodbye to the Premier League champions.

Indeed, a busy summer is on the horizon at Liverpool as Arne Slot looks to build a squad capable of dominance across multiple competitions.

"Outstanding" player on the verge of Liverpool exit

According to the reliable Paul Gorst of the Liverpool Echo on X, Liverpool have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen over the signing of Quansah in a £35m deal.

Quansah is currently away with England Under-21s at the European Championships, and started their 3-1 quarter final win over Spain on Saturday. He will undergo a medical when the tournament finishes, which is next Saturday, so it could be into next week before this deal is fully ratified.

Opinion may be split over Liverpool selling Quansah, with some feeling that he has the potential to grow into an elite-level centre-back as the years pass.

On the flip side, though, the England international didn’t kick on as much as many hoped last season, and there is an argument to say that the Reds will never be able to sell him for more than £35m in his career.

It is a risk by Liverpool, not least because Virgil van Dijk is a big admirer of the defender, calling him “outstanding” and saying the “sky is the limit for him”, but the likes of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes need to be trusted.

The Reds must be ruthless after their title win, which includes dispatching of players not deemed good enough to take the team forward, and the brutal reality may be that Slot doesn’t quite feel Quansah is at the level required.

Liverpool "issue" resolved as medical booked for next signing on 5-year deal

This is great news for the Reds.

1

By
Henry Jackson

Jun 22, 2025

If Liverpool were able to sign Marc Guehi as his replacement this summer, as Gorst hints at in his update, it could immediately strengthen Slot’s squad, increasing their chances of defending their title next term.

When it comes to great Tottenham Hotspur players of the last 15 years or so, you have plenty to choose from.

The likes of Harry Kane, Mousa Dembélé, Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen might not have won anything at the club, but they more than made their mark on English football and the Premier League for the North Londoners.

One star from that era who was arguably one of the best players in the country at his peak was Dele Alli.

The Englishman was a tour de force at points, racking up 35 goal involvements in the 16/17 season, so fans should be excited about reports linking the team to a player who was compared to Dele in the past.

Tottenham transfer news

Before we get to the player in question, it is worth looking at some of the other talented stars linked with a move to Spurs in recent weeks and months, like Leroy Sané and Angel Gomes.

Transfer Focus

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

With his contract ending this month, the former would be a shrewd free signing, as in just 2376 minutes across 45 games this season, the Bayern Munich ace has scored 13 goals and provided six assists.

Interestingly, Gomes would also be a free addition to the North Londoners squad, and based on reports from earlier this week, they’ve already submitted a proposal to the Englishman, who has made four senior appearances for the Three Lions and 134 for LOSC Lille.

However, neither of these players have been compared to Dele in the past, unlike Jack Grealish.

Yes, according to a recent report from Football Transfers, Spurs are now interested in the Manchester City star.

The report has revealed that the Lilywhites have begun talks with the Englishman’s representatives as they ‘explore the possibility’ of bringing him to North London this summer.

The good news is that the report claims the player is, in fact, open to the idea of moving to N17 now that the club will be in the Champions League next year, but the bad news is that City would want an offer of up to £43m to let him go.

It would be a somewhat costly transfer to get done, but Grealish could be the sort of maverick player Ange Postecoglou needs in his attack next season, and the fact he was compared to Dele in the past is a great bonus.

Why Spurs might want Grealish

So, before we get to some of the other reasons why Spurs might want to sign Grealish this summer, let’s examine these comparisons to Dele, with the first coming from Lee Hendrie all the way back in 2018.

At the time, the young talent was just making a name for himself at Aston Villa, and Hendrie was seriously impressed with his ability to get “past players with ease” and was full of praise for “creative” abilities, which he claimed were similar to “the Dele Alli’s of the world.”

Just a couple of years later, Dean Smith was making the comparison between the Englishmen, claiming that the then-Villa gem shared the same goalscoring “star quality” that the former MK Dons gem had in the early years of his Tottenham career.

Aside from what players and pundits have said, both players have represented the Three Lions at major tournaments, and both, at one point in their careers, had that ability to make something happen out of absolutely nothing.

In fact, it’s the chance to resurrect this skill in the “unbelievable” City star, as dubbed by Pep Guardiola, that is surely driving the Lilywhites’ interest in him.

Even though he played a bit-part role in the Cityzens’ campaign this season, he was still able to amass a decent tally of three goals and five assists in 1521 minutes, which comes out to a goal involvement every 190.12 minutes, and his underlying numbers are even better.

For example, FBref places the 29-year-old in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries, pass completion, shot-creating actions from live passes, progressive and total carrying distance, carries into the penalty area, the top 2% for goal-creating actions from defensive actions, fouls drawn, the top 8% for key passes and more.

In short, while the Champions League winner’s raw output hasn’t been great for several years, his incredible underlying numbers indicate that he could flourish in the right system, which could be Postecoglou’s.

Ultimately, it would be something of a gamble, but in Grealish, Spurs could have themselves a genuine maverick who can make something out of nothing – akin to Dele in his prime.

Big Son upgrade: Spurs now eyeing "one of the best LW's in Europe"

Spurs are on the lookout for an upgrade on Heung-min Son.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 3, 2025

Rangers may have to brace for the departure of one of their key players, as two clubs could soon table serious bids for his services, according to a report.

Summer of change on the horizon at Ibrox

It is set to be a summer of major change at Ibrox, with the 49ers on course to complete their takeover of the Scottish club, and the prospective new owners are also tasked with installing a new manager to replace interim boss Barry Ferguson.

Not only that, but with the Gers currently 17 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table, there are clear signs the new manager will need to make major changes to his squad in the summer window, and potential targets have already been identified.

The 49ers are plotting the statement signing of a new midfielder, with Troyes’ Metinho in their sights, amid concerns over the future of Nicolas Raskin, who the Light Blues are determined to keep hold of despite growing interest in his signature.

£3m Rangers flop must be first player Ancelotti axes & it's not Tavernier

Davide Ancelotti should instantly axe this Rangers flop before James Tavernier this summer.

2

By
Dan Emery

May 15, 2025

There has now been a new update on Raskin’s Rangers future, with a report from TEAMtalk revealing they have been rocked by major interest in the midfielder, having attracted the attention of soon-to-be Premier League side Leeds United.

Aston Villa, who made it to the Champions League quarter-finals this season, have also registered their interest in the Gers star, and there is now a feeling that a serious bid could be made for his services over the next few weeks.

The Belgian’s current £19k-a-week contract is set to run until 2027, and the Ibrox outfit are now ready to offer him a new deal, in an attempt to ward off the interest from elsewhere, and to make sure his market value is protected.

Rangers must keep hold of "phenomenal" Raskin

Having barely managed to even compete in the Scottish Premiership title race this season, the Gers may be looking to re-shape their squad this summer, but the Belgian maestro is undoubtedly one of the players they should be looking to keep hold of.

Scottish football analyst John Walker has been particularly impressed by the 24-yerar-old’s performances, having lauded him as “phenomenal” earlier in the campaign, while also claiming the central midfielder improved the entire team after returning from injury.

The Liege-born maestro has four goals and ten assists to his name in all competitions this season, most notably scoring in his side’s 3-2 victory against bitter rivals Celtic back in March.

That said, while Rangers should be looking to tie Raskin down to a new deal, he may be unwilling to commit to fresh terms, which means it could make sense to cash-in at the end of the campaign, as they should be able to command a good fee for his services this summer.

Arsenal are reportedly nearing a potential agreement for one marquee transfer target this summer, with all parties on the same page when it comes to personal terms.

Arsenal urged to sign forward and replace Kai Havertz

Eyes are already cast on new sporting director Andrea Berta as the highly-rated chief gears up for his debut transfer window at N5.

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

The Gunners are emerging as favourites.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 6, 2025

Mikel Arteta and the Gunners lost out on the Premier League title to Liverpool by some distance this season, and a few critics have blamed their failed challenge on Arsenal’s lack of a potent centre-forward.

Gabriel Jesus enjoyed a real purple patch of form before his season-ending ACL injury, and Kai Havertz has put in some excellent displays in a makeshift striker role. However, neither man is seen as a guaranteed 20-plus goals-per-season style of forward for the long-term, with pundit Ally McCoist claiming Arteta is crying out for a prolific number nine up top.

“I think it’s a crying shame, actually,” McCoist said to talkSPORT earlier this year.

“The amount of games I’ve been at, particularly at the Emirates, and I see that ball flashing across the six-yard box. I think Havertz is an excellent footballer, I really do. But I think Havertz would score the same amount of goals whether he plays centre forward, number ten or comes off the side.

“I think he’ll get 10 goals, whereas a centre forward playing in that position gets you 20, 25 (goals).”

The signing of a striker is one of Arsenal’s top priorities for the summer, according to various reports, and a succession of high-profile names have already been linked with moves to the Emirates.

One of them is Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, who is widely expected to depart the Primeira Liga after yet another exceptional campaign. The Sweden international has scored 52 goals across 49 appearances in all competitions this term, and regardless of what league you play in, numbers like that are guaranteed to turn many heads.

Arsenal "edging closer to finalising" deal for Viktor Gyokeres

Gyokeres is a top target for Arsenal heading into the summer, with some reports claiming Berta is personally driving a move for the ex-Coventry City star (GiveMeSport).

Now, Football Transfers claim good progress is being made on a potential swoop, and Arsenal have scheduled fresh talks with Sporting, which will take place after the Portuguese Cup final later this month.

What’s more, it is believed Arsenal are “edging closer to finalising an agreement” for Gyokeres, with the Gunners and his camp “already aligned” on personal terms and the contract package he would receive in north London.

However, they’re yet to reach any agreement with Sporting themselves, prompting the imminent negotiations in late May. Rui Borges’ side are expected to demand a large chunk of Gyokeres’ transfer fee up front, though, or even the full amount.

The 26-year-old’s contract includes an £85 million release clause, and Portuguese news outlet A Bola recently reported that the presence of Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Bayern Munich and English rivals in the race for Gyokeres’ means Sporting could demand close to that figure.

Arsenal may have to make Gyokeres one of their most expensive ever signings as a result, but he could well be worth the investment.

“I have said this before, and I will continue to say it: he brings a lot to the team, and his teammates are aware of what he contributes, which is why they look for him during games,” said Borges about Gyokeres.

“The collective effort also plays a role, as no one can succeed alone. Viktor is a game-changer, and he will continue to be, whether with us or elsewhere. His quality is undeniable; it is phenomenal.”

Manchester United now expect to complete the transfer of an “unplayable” striker target who Chelsea have already made a bid for, according to a new report.

Man Utd chasing reinforcements ahead of busy summer

This summer is expected to be a busy time for the Red Devils – several contracts are up and plenty more players are expected to depart, as Ruben Amorim tries to put a squad together that suits his system and his system only.

Man Utd preparing £40m bid to sign full-back who is also wanted by Arsenal

Man Utd face a battle with Arsenal to sign an experienced defender.

By
Brett Worthington

Apr 28, 2025

Christian Eriksen looks set to leave United, and there are still doubts over whether Casemiro will remain beyond the summer. Both players leaving would open the door for a new midfielder at least, and United have their eyes on one or two players they would like to sign. Over the weekend, the Red Devils were linked with a move for Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, who would be able to leave the Italian side for £34 million.

Lobotka is not the only Napoli midfielder United could sign, as they have been offered the chance to sign Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who is set to become a free agent in the summer. United are not alone in the race, as Manchester City have also been offered the chance to sign the player via his entourage.

Meanwhile, the Premier League side are also keeping a close eye on Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Serie A. The Brazilian could also be available for a relatively low fee.

Man Utd expect Gyokeres to pick them over Chelsea

Signing a new midfielder may have to wait until United have addressed their forward options, as Amorim is desperate to sign a new striker to end the misery in front of goal. According to Football Insider, Man United are now confident they are going to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP this summer.

The report states that United have been working hard in the background to reach an agreement, and they are now in a good position to complete the transfer of Gyokeres. The Sweden international is considered a top target at Old Trafford and has been since Amorim was appointed head coach.

United will hope securing Champions League football by winning the Europa League will give them the advantage they need, as Chelsea have made a bid worth £64 million for Gyokeres already, and they are yet to know if they will be playing in Europe’s biggest competition. It is believed Amorim’s relationship with the forward has swung it in United’s favour, and they are now confident it’s a “done deal”.

Gyokeres, who has been dubbed “unplayable” by former teammate Maxime Biamou, has scored a staggering 38 goals in 30 Liga Portugal games this season, as well as a further six in the Champions League. United may hold another advantage in the race for Gyokeres, as the Swedish striker has the same agent as current United defender Victor Lindelof.

Celtic are finally Scottish Premiership champions and can celebrate their fantastic achievement for weeks to come, but their latest injury concern may have slightly dampened their spirits.

Celtic bask in the glory of being crowned Scottish Premiership champions

After weeks of closing in on a fourth successive league title, Celtic finally got the job done in style last weekend away to Dundee United, courtesy of a 5-0 victory at Tannadice. Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah’s doubles, coupled with an own goal from Ryan Strain, settled an emphatic scoreline before Brendan Rodgers and company were able to taste the celebratory champagne once again.

The Irishman is now the third most successful manager in Celtic history behind Willie Maley and Jock Stein. Come the summer, you would imagine he will be keen to build up ahead of steam for the Bhoys’ involvement in the final qualifying round before the Champions League league phase.

Surprisingly, Tayport Juniors goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu could join the Hoops if he impresses during a possible training stint at the club. Although he would likely be a developmental signing, there will be plenty of first-team-ready additions primed to enter the fold.

Stoke City winger Million Manhoef has emerged as a Celtic target and may be a popular candidate to shore up the wide areas, which are set to undergo surgery in light of Daizen Maeda’s sparkling form either on the flank or at centre-forward.

Rodgers has unearthed his new Scott Sinclair at Celtic & it's not Maeda

Brendan Rodgers has found his new Scott Sinclair at Celtic, but it is not Daizen Maeda.

By
Dan Emery

Apr 27, 2025

Strength in depth will be needed to see off any threat from Rangers or elsewhere next term, while the Bhoys’ exploits in Europe are set to again come under the microscope once the summer has come and gone.

However, Rodgers may now have food for thought heading into 2025/26 following an injury setback surrounding one of his star assets, per reports.

Celtic star Jota set to be ruled out for several months

According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic winger Jota will miss the rest of the season and possibly the start of next campaign due to a knee injury that left him on crutches in their title-clinching victory over Dundee United.

The outlet state that an initial diagnosis is set to rule him out for ‘several months’ following a painful clash that left the Portuguese star writhing around in pain shortly after his role in the Bhoys’ opening goal at Tannadice.

Republic of Ireland forward Idah will likely lead the line in his absence, with Maeda being switched to his familiar left-sided berth to accommodate Kuhn on the right flank.

Nevertheless, Jota’s absence will come as a blow to Rodgers, especially with Celtic’s Scottish Cup final clash against Aberdeen now only a matter of weeks away.

Labelled “fantastic” by teammate Idah, the former Benfica star is a cult hero among supporters and adds a different dimension due to his quick thinking and footwork, but the Bhoys will need to find a way to manage without him over the coming weeks.

Liverpool know they have a significant summer ahead of them. Some might even label it a critical juncture in the club’s modern history.

Arne Slot has done ever so well at Anfield this season, steering Liverpool toward the brink of the Premier League title. It’s not wrapped up, but the Reds’ 13-point lead is surely unassailable at this late stage.

But the 2025/26 campaign will be here in a jiffy, and it’s clear that Liverpool need to embellish Slot’s first-team squad with attractive new bits, for Liverpool have scarcely dipped into the transfer market since Jurgen Klopp completed his midfield rebuild with the signing of Ryan Gravenberch in August 2023.

Klopp’s long-standing midfield had eroded away during the 2022/23 season, finally succumbing to years of unrelenting pressure, high-octane pace hitting like whipping breakers against a rocky coastline.

That erosion saw Jordan Henderson and Fabinho sold to the Saudi Pro League after Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all departed at the end of their contracts. It was an exodus, all right, but one which needed to happen.

There was another midfielder who actually survived the wipeout; he bore the highest quality of them all, but all things considered Thiago Alcantara perhaps needed to move on more than the rest, his natural talent overruled by a shoddy fitness record on Merseyside.

Thiago's time at Liverpool

In 2020, Premier League winners Liverpool needed to consolidate their position at the top of the English and European pyramids.

What better statement of intent than to sign one of the game’s foremost midfielders? Bayern Munich were paid £20m and Thiago made the move to Merseyside, with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Diogo Jota soon to follow.

One of the most technically gifted players of his generation, Thiago was regarded as a major coup for Klopp’s title-winning side, giving them something different in the middle of the park as Gini Wijnaldum’s contract wound down.

However, injuries had been his undoing in the past and the intensity of Klopp’s system and the rigorousness of the Premier League limited this wonderful footballer to little more than a small part role, influential and inspiring when on the grass but finding such time limited.

As you can see above, Thiago’s involvement in the Premier League was always a frustrating thing, his body effectively shutting down during his final year, Klopp’s final year, and was forced into an early retirement.

Thiago had European pedigree, to be sure, but Liverpool missed a trick with his signing. The diminutive maestro earned a staggering salary at £200k per week, something which was bettered only by Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. A figure only they surpass still.

Barcelona and Bayern had reaped the richest harvest of Thiago’s skill set, but he arrived at Liverpool too late in his career, already worn down by years of hard graft on the continent.

Now, Liverpool find that they are suffering their new version of the distinguished Spaniard, and though he’s shown flashes of quality, would do well to be sold this summer.

Liverpool's new version of Thiago

Though Klopp left Liverpool in fine stead as Slot stepped in to replace him, there’s no doubting that frustrations simmered online as FSG opted against investment last summer.

Well, there was a mite of activity on that front. In August, after efforts to sign Martin Zubimendi fell short, the Reds completed the signing of Juventus’ Federico Chiesa for a cut-price £12.5m fee.

Hero at Wembley as Italy won Euro 2020 and established as one of the standout forwards on the Italian scene, Chiesa was hailed as “world-class” by ex-Italy defender Alessandro Pierini.

But injuries have indeed wrecked much of the talent’s football over the past several years, and while moving to Liverpool last summer felt like a fresh slate, it’s unfortunate to report that Slot has not been won over and he’s sat largely on the sidelines.

Minutes have been sparse, especially in the Premier League. Chiesa, for sure, has a lot of quality and has showcased as such against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final, but it doesn’t appear to have been enough.

A poor track record on the fitness front – which hurt his early progress at Anfield, set him back from the off – suggests that Chiesa might actually be Liverpool’s new version of Thiago, especially since he arrived with bucket loads of European pedigree.

The £150k-per-week forward also earns quite the pretty penny and it’s difficult to argue that his role in the squad justifies such earnings. Again, like Thiago.

Though Liverpool wouldn’t claim the largest sum for his sale this summer, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, not least because plans are already being drawn to bring in fresh faces up top.

It’s hard to imagine Chiesa will win Slot over and dance into the forthcoming season with a view toward starting more often or not. But observers have been wrong before.

However, given that Liverpool’s boss has been loathe to unleash his Italian forward this season and is now gearing up to strengthen an already formidable frontline with several new parts, you worry for Chiesa’s future – or his personal success on Merseyside at the least.

Oh, Salah’s sticking around too, isn’t he? Chiesa is a talented and versatile winger, but he earns quite the pretty penny and has an injury record to strike fear into young, up-and-coming talents.

It might be best for all parties that Liverpool cash in this summer, especially if a youngster like Ben Doak is integrated into the firt team next season.

Better move than Huijsen: Liverpool closely following £50m "game-changer"

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By
Dan Emery

Apr 16, 2025