Tag Futebol

It would be something of an understatement to say that Nuno Espírito Santo has a monster job on his hands at West Ham United.

The East Londoners are currently sat in the relegation zone, and while they did fight back for a point away to Everton, they then lost 2-0 away at Arsenal.

Moreover, German international Niclas Füllkrug is now injured, and while he hasn’t been great for the club, it’s one less option for the manager.

Fortunately, there are some potential solutions to his absence in the squad, such as starting a promising talent in a new position.

How Fullkrug compares to recent West Ham flops

Despite going away for international duty, Füllkrug was promptly sent back to West Ham before Germany’s first game after it was discovered that he had torn his thigh while training with the Hammers.

While it’s clear that the 32-year-old is going to be out for some time, it’s less clear just how much time, with Nuno telling reporters on Friday that the club “are waiting for the results” of a scan to determine how severe the problem is.

Now, losing players to injury is always a problem, and having fewer options is only going to make life more difficult for the former Nottingham Forest boss.

However, it’s also true that the German international has been a massive disappointment since moving to the London Stadium.

For example, in 27 appearances for the Claret and Blue, totalling 1262 minutes, he has scored just three goals and provided two assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 5.4 games, or every 252.4 minutes.

Füllkrug vs Scamacca vs Ings
Player	Füllkrug	Scamacca	Ings
Appearances	27	27	69
Minutes	1262′	1342′	2072′
Goals	3	8	5
Assists	2	0	5
Goal Involvements per Match	0.18	0.29	0.14
Minutes per Goal Involvements	252.4′	167.75′	207.2′
All Stats via Transfermarkt

For comparison’s sake, Gianluca Scamacca, who many would consider to have been a poor signing, left the London Stadium with a tally of eight goals in 27 appearances, totalling 1342 minutes, which is a goal involvement every 3.37 games, or every 167.75 minutes.

Even Danny Ings, who was a flop, produced ten goal involvements in 69 appearances, totalling 2072 minutes.

While this resulted in a worse average of a goal involvement every 6.9 games, it led to a better average of 207.20 minutes per goal involvement.

In short, while losing the option of Füllkrug isn’t ideal, Nuno should be able to replace his output by playing someone else up top, someone who hasn’t played there for the club before.

The West Ham gem who could replace Füllkrug

There are a few potential solutions to Füllkrug’s injury, from starting Callum Wilson up top to moving Jarrod Bowen in from the wing.

Chalkboard

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

However, the former has been no more impressive than the German, and moving the latter out of his favoured position seems counterintuitive.

Instead, Nuno could be bold and hand Luis Guilherme a rare start, and his first chance to play up top for the side. =

Now, it is true that the young Brazilian is primarily a winger, but as respected analyst Ben Mattinson points out, he is a “complete” and “electric” attacker and, before moving to West Ham, did play as a second striker on occasion for Palmeiras.

Moreover, while the youngster certainly doesn’t shoot enough, when he did take a shot during his time in Brazil, it was one “of a high calibre.”

Furthermore, one of Füllkrug’s biggest drawbacks is that he offers little to no mobility in attack, and if he’s not able to bring the ball down and allow the winger to run past him, he’s more of a hindrance than help in attacking situations.

That shouldn’t be the case with the Aracaju-born gem leading the line, as while he isn’t as physical, he’s fast, agile and could be a nightmare for opposition defenders to keep track of.

For example, Mattinson has described him as a player who “thrives on transitions” and can “can turn past players with ease” thanks to his “elite ball manipulation.”

Ultimately, it would be a gamble, but with few other standout options, starting Guilherme in the nine might be one worth taking for Nuno and West Ham.

West Ham hope of signing "special" striker amid Nuno's damning Fullkrug update

Nuno’s fears around the German have been realised.

By
Emilio Galantini

Oct 17, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

A VaideBet, patrocinadora máster do Corinthians, se pronunciou oficialmente quanto às recentes polêmicas envolvendo o contrato da empresa de apostas esportivas com o Timão. 

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansMulta de Carlos Miguel gera alerta no Corinthians, e clube abre conversas por renovaçãoCorinthians24/05/2024CorinthiansCorinthians admite saída de Paulinho e busca substituto no mercadoCorinthians24/05/2024

➡️ Vai dar Brasil? Aposte no Lance! Betting e fature com a Copa América

Na nota, a VaideBet reitera ter falado apenas com Alex Cassundé para chegar no Corinthians. Ele é o dona da Rede Social Media Design LTDA, que recebeu R$25,2 milhões do clube pela intermediação do negócio. A VaideBet monitora os próximos passos e não descarta rescindir o contrato com o Corinthians. 

➡️ Siga o Lance! Corinthians no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Timão

Veja na íntegra o comunicado emitido pela VaideBet, patrocinadora do Corinthians

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários de todos os jogos do Brasileirão

“A VaideBet informa que tem acompanhado atentamente as publicações e manifestações envolvendo o comissionamento do contrato de patrocínio ao Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, e que desde o mês de abril tem solicitado esclarecimentos sobre o caso. 

continua após a publicidade

Durante as últimas semanas, a VaideBet pediu informações ao Corinthians em ocasiões variadas e realizou reunião presencial na sede do clube no dia 8 de maio, além de ter enviado um comunicado à diretoria na última segunda-feira (20). 

Desde o primeiro momento, a VaideBet foi contatada por um agente intermediário sobre a possibilidade de se firmar um acordo para patrocínio master do Corinthians e foi conduzida pelo referido interveniente até a diretoria do clube para o início das negociações. Nunca houve contato com qualquer outra empresa a respeito da negociação para o acordo de patrocínio.

continua após a publicidade

A VaideBet observa com atenção os desdobramentos do atual cenário e avalia os próximos passos.”

Tudo sobre

CorinthiansVaideBet

Liverpool are waiting for this nightmare to end, rediscovering the form of last season under Arne Slot’s wing that led to the Premier League title and a summer of sweeping changes.

The signings made this summer were completed after meticulous research, but, nonetheless, the Reds have been dismal this year, lacking identity and inspiration. Even in victory have Liverpool given their opponents plenty of optimism.

It’s worth noting that Liverpool were far better defensively than has so often been the case this term, but this has done little to calm the anxieties of supporters who have been forced to accept a bleak new norm.

Among the bitter pills swallowed has been the form of captain Virgil van Dijk, the centre-back very much at the core of Liverpool’s problems this season and lacking solutions so often provided across his illustrious career at the club.

Virgil van Dijk's drop-off this season

Liverpool’s monster has been made mortal by the tailspin of Slot’s system this season. Ibrahima Konate’s struggles have no doubt been exacerbated by the slow recession of Van Dijk’s indomitability.

He is 34 years old, 35 at the end of the season. It is only natural that the Netherlands skipper should begin to wind down. However, it presents Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes with quite the conundrum as Konate edges toward the expiry of his £70k-per-week contract.

Liverpool signed Giovanni Leoni from Parma for about £27m this summer, but the 18-year-old Italian tore his ACL on his debut against Southampton and is not expected back until the start of next season.

The Italian would have offered a much-needed dimension over the past few months, allowing Slot to enforce more rotation, with Konate having started each of his side’s Premier League fixtures this season despite his rut. Van Dijk is now foundering beside him.

Change is needed, and with the winter transfer window approaching, it’s clear that Liverpool need a centre-back.

Liverpool targeting centre-back this January

As per TEAMtalk, Liverpool are set to table a bid for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi this winter, having reopened direct communications this week with the player’s agents after fumbling a deal to sign him in August.

Guehi is out of contract at Selhurst Park at the end of the season, and while Liverpool had a clean shot at the 25-year-old at the start of the season, notably even agreeing personal terms with the player, rival interest is now sure to be thick, with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid considered suitors.

Sources suggest FSG are willing to offer around £25m for Guehi’s signature in January, paying something of a premium for one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.

What Guehi would bring to Liverpool

Guehi could well be plying his craft for Liverpool right now, but it wasn’t to be as sporting director Richard Hughes gambled and left it late, Palace barring the door at the eleventh hour after failing to find a replacement.

It’s a real shame. Guehi is a seasoned Premier League star who just keeps on evolving. He has been hailed as a “monster in defence” by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, but he is so much more.

As per data-driven site FBref, Guehi ranks among the top 7% of central defenders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for through balls, the top 6% for assists and shot-creating actions, and the top 15% for tackles won per 90.

If Liverpool succeed in completing a deal for the two-footed centre-half this winter, it could carry the weight of that one-time signing of Van Dijk, who joined from Southampton midway through the 2017/18 season for a £75m fee.

Van Dijk needs no introduction. He is one of the greatest defenders in Premier League history, a titan of the game.

He dovetailed into Jurgen Klopp’s exciting team and reinforced it with steel. He was the mortar which filled in the cracks and created a superteam.

Big boots to fill, but Guehi has been extensively profiled and could emulate the Netherlands man by arriving at the season’s midpoint, providing that dearly desired relief.

After such incredible success in recent years, it is staggering that Liverpool have plummeted so far beneath their expected level. This borders on a crisis, and one signing won’t stop the rot for good, but Guehi has the combative, confident defensive style to help put the Reds back on track, with his quality in the build-up something that Konate simply doesn’t possess.

It’s Van Dijk-esque, and given that Guehi would be arriving in January after previous attempts to sign him, this could have the much-needed echoes of that euphoric deal.

Fewer touches than Alisson & only 2 passes: Liverpool flop must be dropped

Arne Slot has a huge call to make about one player after his showing for Liverpool last night.

2 ByEthan Lamb Dec 4, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians está aberto a escutar as propostas tanto da Libra quanto da Liga Forte Futebol (LFF) para a venda dos direitos de transmissão do Brasileirão de 2025 até 2029, mas estipulou condições para fechar o acordo.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansVítor Pereira xinga Fábio Santos de covarde e expõe elenco do CorinthiansCorinthians27/02/2024Fora de CampoNeto crava campeão paulista e critica dupla do Corinthians por vídeo: ‘Como pode?’Fora de Campo27/02/2024ListasCorinthians na lanterna! Veja o aproveitamento dos clubes da Série A em 2024Listas27/02/2024

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Segundo apuração do Lance!, o Timão exige receber pelo menos o mesmo que o Flamengo nas negociações, pois entende ter o mesmo potencial de audiência da equipe carioca.

Insatisfeito com os valores apresentados pela Libra, o Timão está mais propenso a “virar a casaca” e assinar com a LFF,. No entanto, caso o primeiro bloco iguale à proposta feita ao Rubro-Negro, o Corinthians deve voltar à Libra.

continua após a publicidade

Outra exigência feita pelo Corinthians, segundo apurado pela reportagem, é transparência nos contratos. Esta seria uma estratégia do Timão saber se estaria faturando menos do que o Flamengo.

➡️ Veja os grupos e datas dos confrontos no Paulistão

Quem está com a Libra?

ABC, Atlético-MG, Bahia, Flamengo, Grêmio, Guarani, Ituano, Mirassol, Novorizontino, Palmeiras, Paysandu, Ponte Preta, Red Bull Bragantino, Sampaio Corrêa, Santos, São Paulo e Vitória.

continua após a publicidade

Quem está com a Liga Forte Futebol?

Athletico-PR, América-MG, Atlético-GO, Avaí, Brusque, Chapecoense, Ceará, Criciúma, CRB, CSA, Cuiabá, Figueirense, Fluminense, Fortaleza, Goiás, Inter, Juventude, Londrina, Náutico, Operário, Sport, Tombense e Vila Nova.

Tudo sobre

CorinthiansLibra

MatériaMais Notícias

Com vários destaques individuais, o Corinthians venceu o Cruzeiro e conquistou a Copinha pela 11ª vez. No “time de cima”, Mano Menezes vem externando a necessidade de reforços para o Paulistão, e o Lance! listou cinco Crias do Terrão que podem ser aproveitadas no elenco principal.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasDicasSão Bernardo x Corinthians: estatísticas e informações para apostar no jogo da 3ª rodada do PaulistaDicas27/01/2024CorinthiansRyan Gustavo alfineta Cruzeiro após título do Corinthians na Copinha: ‘Tem que respeitar o maior do Brasil’Corinthians25/01/2024Fora de CampoJornalista detona diretoria do Corinthians por confusão em negociações: ‘Show de amadorismo’Fora de Campo25/01/2024

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Léo Mana

Com o impasse envolvendo Matheuzinho e a necessidade de uma “sombra” para Fagner, Léo Mana pode ser uma “solução caseira” para o problema na lateral-direita do Corinthians. O atleta estreou pelo profissional em 2022 e recebeu oportunidades na última temporada. É o jogador mais experiente da base e pode receber chances com Mano Menezes no Paulistão.

Ryan Gustavo

Ryan Gustavo “estourou” a idade do Sub-20 e será integrado ao elenco profissional. Com muita intensidade, o volante pode agregar no setor. O garoto estreou no profissional com Vanderlei Luxemburgo e se destacou na Sul-Americana, ao marcar o gol da classificação contra o Universitario-PER.

continua após a publicidade

Breno Bidon

Breno Bidon é apontado como a principal joia do elenco campeão na Copinha. Com ótima leitura de jogo e habilidade com a bola nos pés, o meia de 18 anos tem contrato até o final de janeiro de 2025 e já foi monitorado pelo Bayern de Munique. O atleta pode preencher a lacuna deixada por Renato Augusto no elenco principal do Corinthians.

➡️ Veja os grupos e datas dos confrontos no Paulistão

Kayke Ferrari

O Corinthians está no mercado por um ponta de velocidade e com habilidade nas jogadas individuais, e Kayke Ferrari pode ser a solução para tal lacuna no elenco. O autor do gol do título do Timão na Copinha mostrou personalidade na competição e ganhou moral pela atuação contra o Cruzeiro, chamando a atenção da comissão técnica.

continua após a publicidade

Arthur Sousa

Assim como Ryan, Arthur Sousa estourou a idade do Sub-20 e será integrado ao profissional. O garoto anotou um hat-trick na semifinal da Copinha e, dado a urgência por centroavante, ele pode ganhar minutos no Paulistão enquanto a diretoria não contrata um jogador para disputar posição com Yuri Alberto.

+ Corinthians

Tudo sobre

CopinhaCorinthians

As the MLB's 2025 offseason begins, the Red Sox have a former ace on their radar.

According to WEEI's Rob Bradford, Boston is among "about a dozen teams" who have shown interest in starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. He declined his 2025 player option on Nov. 4 and is set to hit free agency this winter.

Eovaldi, 34, spent the last two seasons in Texas and became the Rangers' ace down the stretch of their 2023 World Series run. The righty went going 5-0 over six starts and posted a 2.95 ERA with 41 strikeouts. He spent 2018 to '22 with the Red Sox, and famously pitched six relief innings—on no rest—in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series, earning him the nickname "Nasty Nate."

A reunion with Eovaldi would be considered a major get for Boston, which is desperate for some above-average starting pitching. As a unit, Alex Cora's hurlers notched just a 4.04 ERA in 2024 while allowing 1,363 hits (t-8th worst), and striking out just 1,353 batters (20th).

Eovaldi may not be the Red Sox' only free agent target, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan, they're one of four teams set to meet with star slugger Juan Soto this week in California. Soto is also scheduled to meet with the Blue Jays, Mets and Yankees.

Derbyshire set unlikely target of 513 as visitors close on long-awaited first win of season

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay01-Jul-2025Derbyshire 261 (Andersson 79, Madsen 70, Balderson 4-71) and 139 for 3 need another 374 runs to beat Lancashire 367 (Green 121, Jennings 106) and 406 for 6 dec (Turner 121, Balderson 82, Jones 63) Ashton Turner scored his second century in three innings to put Lancashire on course for what would be a first Rothesay County Championship victory of the season in the Division Two match against Derbyshire at Chesterfield.The Australian made an unbeaten 121 from 135 balls and was well supported by George Balderson, 82 off 60, and 63 from Michael Jones before Lancashire declared on 406 for 6, with Ben Aitchison taking 3 for 64.That set the hosts the small matter of 513 which would be their highest-ever fourth-innings total but by the close they were 139 for 3, still 374 runs away.Lancashire began the day already well placed with a lead of 220 but Aitchison sent a tremor through the foundations with three wickets in an eight-over spell from the Lake End.Josh Bohannon was drawn into pushing at one that did enough to take the edge before Keaton Jennings aimed a big drive and was given out caught behind although his reaction suggested he did not think he made contact.When Matty Hurst was lbw to one that kept slightly low, Derbyshire sensed there might be an opening but first Turner and Jones and then Balderson emphatically reasserted Lancashire’s authority.Turner pulled Aitchison for six on his way to a 67-ball fifty while Jones was even more dominant, reaching his half-century, which contained two maximums, from only 41 balls. But it was the running between the wickets as much as the boundary count that hurt Derbyshire with the pair finding the gaps at will to cruise along at more than six an over.Jones swept Mitch Wagstaff for another six and was eying a fourth until Aitchison at deep midwicket knocked the ball up for Zak Chappell to complete a smart relay catch.But by lunch, Lancashire’s lead was 377 and that soared as Balderson engaged the turbo, racing to a 42-ball fifty before Turner drove Wagstaff for his 10th four to reach a fine hundred from 124 deliveries.The lead was over 500 when Balderson drove Martin Andersson to cover, ending a stand of 157 in 21 overs, which was the signal for Lancashire to declare leaving Derbyshire a highly improbable target.A more realistic proposition was to hold out for a draw but they lost Caleb Jewell in the fifth over when he was squared up by James Anderson and caught at third slip. It was the fourth time this season that Anderson has dismissed Jewell who, as an Australian, is in good company.That was Lancashire’s last success for 24 overs as Wagstaff and Harry Came stood firm with the latter twice stroking Anderson for two boundaries after tea.But the odd ball was keeping low and Balderson broke the stand when he squeezed one through Wagstaff’s defence and Came went in the next over, caught behind pushing at Tom Bailey.Derbyshire’s position would have been even more parlous if Wayne Madsen on eight and Brooke Guest on 14 had not been dropped in the slips but Lancashire remain strong favourites to complete the job on the final day.

تتواصل تحركات النادي الأهلي خلال فترة الانتقالات المقبلة، من أجل تدعيم صفوفه بلاعبين جدد، وسط اهتمام خاص بعدد من المواهب العربية التي لفتت الأنظار في الموسم الأخير.

وخلال الساعات الماضية، انتشرت تقارير مغربية تفيد وجود مفاوضات بين الأهلي ونادي اتحاد تواركة بشأن التعاقد مع اللاعب والظهير الأيسر، فؤاد الزهواني، أحد أبرز نجوم الفريق في الدوري المغربي.

وفي هذا السياق، علق عبد المولى الخنفري، المدير الإداري لنادي اتحاد تواركة المغربي، في تصريحات خاصة عبر بطولات، على ما تردد بشأن المفاوضات.

اقرأ أيضًا | خاص | مهاجم إفريقي على رادار الأهلي.. وناديه: لا مانع من بيعه

وقال الخنفري: “بخصوص اللاعب فؤاد الزهواني، المؤكد أن هناك مفاوضات مع عدة أندية، أبدت الاهتمام باللاعب، ولكن ما دامت هذه المفاوضات لا تزال جارية ولم يتم بعد الحسم في وجهة اللاعب، فإنه يتعذر علينا مع الأسف الإفصاح عن أطرافها وتفاصيلها”.

وتُعد تصريحات الخنفري هي التعليق الرسمي الأول من نادي اتحاد تواركة على الأنباء التي ربطت الزهواني بالانتقال إلى الأهلي خلال الميركاتو الشتوي المقبل.

ويُعتبر فؤاد الزهواني من العناصر المميزة في صفوف اتحاد تواركة، وقدم مستويات لافتة مع منتخب المغرب للشباب المتوج بلقب كأس العالم تحت 20 عامًا قبل أيام قليلة في تشيلسي.

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke was fairly ruthless in the summer transfer window when he told Patrick Bamford that he would not be a part of the squad for the 2025/26 campaign.

It may not have come as a huge shock, given that the striker did not start a single game in the Championship last season, but it was still a ruthless move by the manager.

In July, Daniel Farke revealed that he had an “honest” conversation with Bamford and how he felt that the forward needed to go somewhere else to be the main man at a new club.

Later in the summer, Leeds and the former England international agreed a mutual termination of his contract to part ways, allowing him to be a free agent to find a new team.

Despite the fairly impressive record in the graphic above, Bamford often found himself as the scapegoat among the fanbase in tough times at Elland Road, which is understandable as a striker who is always going to miss chances and attract criticism.

Another player who could have been described as a scapegoat at points in the last 13 months or so is Brenden Aaronson, but he seems to slowly be winning the supporters over.

Why Brenden Aaronson is winning Leeds fans over

The USA international is unlikely to develop into a regular Premier League starter who can contribute with ten goals or assists from an attacking midfield or wide position. His statistics up to this point in his top-flight career illustrate that.

Aaronson has scored one goal and provided three assists in 42 outings in the division, in the 2022/23 and 2025/26 campaigns combined, which shows that he has failed to deliver consistent quality.

The former RB Salzburg star’s form against the better sides in the Championship last season, despite the Whites picking up 100 points in the league, also did not do much to change the perception of him among the fanbase.

Aaronson failed to deliver a single goal or assist for his team in his ten appearances against the other five teams that finished in the top six in the second tier in the 2024/25 campaign.

However, some of the American attacker’s performances in the Premier League this season have earned him some credit among the fanbase, as he has worked his socks off for the side out of possession.

25/26 Premier League

Brenden Aaronson

Percentile rank vs wingers

Goals

0

Bottom 3%

xA

0.83

Top 17%

Assists

0

Bottom 3%

Fouls won

10

Top 8%

Tackles won

12

Top 7%

Duels won

28

Top 15%

Duel success rate

50.9%

Top 23%

Ball recoveries

16

Top 26%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, Aaronson ranks highly among his positional peers in a host of defensive metrics, whilst he also has not had the assist that his xA deserves.

His performance against Bournemouth on Saturday led to Leeds supporter and TEAMtalk editor James Marshment questioning whether it was his best display for the club in the top-flight, which shows that he is starting to earn some respect from the fans.

Chalkboard

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

Expand Collapse

Whilst Aaronson is slowly moving away from being a scapegoat, another Leeds player who played on Saturday is quickly on his way to becoming the new Patrick Bamford.

Central defender Pascal Struijk is in danger of becoming this season’s scapegoat and the new Bamford after the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at the weekend.

Why Struijk may become the new Bamford

As is the case with strikers and missing chances, it can be easy for centre-backs to become scapegoats because they are typically the players fans and pundits look straight to when a goal goes in.

Some fingers were pointed in Struijk’s direction for Eli Kroupi’s last-gasp equaliser because Marcos Senesi beat him too easily in the air to knock the ball in the direction of the striker who scored to make it 2-2.

That was not the only time that the Dutch defender, who was given a 5/10 player rating by MOT Leeds News, was questioned by fans or media during the match, though.

The Athletic’s Beren Cross noted that there were “murmurs of anxiety” in the ground when Struijk or Karl Darlow had the ball at their feet, whilst Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth stated that the centre-back “had a couple of nervy moments” in the first half.

Senesi beating him to the header for the equaliser in stoppage time did not do much to silence any doubters, with some on social media questioning why Jaka Bijol, who won 67% of his aerial duels in the Serie A last season, has not played a minute in the Premier League this term.

25/26 Premier League

Pascal Struijk

Appearances

6

Pass accuracy

93%

Error led to shot

0

Error led to goal

0

Dribbled past

1x

Ground duel success rate

40%

Aerial duel success rate

46%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, it is fair to question Struijk’s proficiency in duels because he has lost the majority of his battles on the ground and in the air this season in the Premier League.

However, a pass accuracy of 93% without a single error that has led to a shot or a goal for the opposition in six matches suggests that supporters do not need to feel nervous when the left-footed star is passing the ball out from the back under pressure.

Struijk, like any player, has strengths and weaknesses to his game. Given the nature of Bournemouth’s second goal and his statistics in aerial duels, it is fair for supporters to be unhappy with his performances in that particular aspect of the game.

However, the Dutchman also brings quality and composure to the team on the ball and has only been dribbled past once, which shows that opposition attackers have struggled to beat him for pace.

Related Not just Longstaff: 7/10 Leeds star is now completely undroppable for Farke

Leeds drew 2-2 at home to Bournemouth on Saturday and this star made himself undroppable.

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Sep 28, 2025

Therefore, Struijk should not be this season’s scapegoat because he brings a lot to the team in spite of some weak points in his performances, but some of the concerns emerging from Saturday’s match suggest that he may be on his way to becoming this year’s Bamford.

Despite picking up an injury early on in the new season, one of Liverpool’s summer signings, Jeremie Frimpong, had made a fast start to his career at Anfield. The Dutchman joined the club from Bayer Leverkusen over the summer, for a fee of £29.5m.

Signed as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, the 24-year-old flying wing-back has only played twice for Arne Slot’s side before suffering from a hamstring issue. However, he bagged a goal on his competitive debut in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, and played an hour on his Premier League debut against Bournemouth.

So, life at Anfield has started well for Frimpong despite the injury, even though he has had to step into the shoes of Alexander-Arnold.

Alexander-Arold’s start to life in Madrid

It is certainly not outlandish to call Liverpool academy graduate Alexander-Arnold a legend of the club. He played a key part in two Premier League title wins and a Champions League victory, as well as other trophies for his boyhood club.

Bowing out by winning Liverpool’s second top-flight title last season was a superb achievement for Alexander-Arnold.

Whilst it was not the 26-year-old’s best season of his career, with just ten assists and four goals in 49 games across the campaign, he still played a huge role in the team’s success.

Yet, there were times last season when the right-back got called out for his defensive ability, namely in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Anfield. England boss Thomas Tuchel said he needs to “take the defensive part very, very seriously” to have an impact for his country.

After running down his contract to join Real Madrid over the summer, the Liverpool-born defender has already got stuck into life in the Spanish capital. He’s played eight games for the club so far, assisting two goals, both of which came in the Club World Cup.

Losing a star player like Alexander-Arnold in the way they did was a blow for Liverpool. They will be keen to avoid it in the future, but it may be unavoidable next summer, as well.

Konate is Liverpool’s new Alexander-Arnold

There are a few key first-team players at Anfield whose contracts will expire at the end of the season. Andy Robertson is one of the prominent names who could depart in the coming months.

However, the one departure that could get alarm bells ringing at Anfield is that of defender Ibrahima Konate. The Frenchman, who earns £70k per week, is also out of contract at the end of the season.

Worryingly for the Reds, the Santiago Bernabeu could also be a destination for Konate. Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed that the former RB Leipzig star is ‘one of the players they would like to bring in’ next summer.

In last season’s Premier League title win, Konate was a key player. He featured 31 times in the top-flight, and was even described as “the best defender in the Premier League” by fellow French centre-back William Gallas.

The numbers from 2024/25 and the season before highlight why Gallas said that.

For example, two years ago, Konate averaged 4.4 aerial duels won per 90 minutes, and last season he averaged two combined tackles and interceptions per game.

Konate’s last 2 full PL seasons

Stat (per 90)

2023/24

2024/25

Pass accuracy

88%

90.3%

Passes completed

72.4

60.1

Tackles and interceptions

3.1

2

Aerial duels won

4.4

2.6

Stats from Sofascore

This season, however, the defender has not been the same player. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said the 26-year-old is “not at the races at all” so far this season, citing an error in the 3-2 win over Newcastle as one of the key mistakes.

It is easy to see how Konate is this season’s Alexander-Arnold. With one year left on his contract and Real Madrid showing interest, it is easy to see him running down his contract to join Los Blancos. Plus, his early defensive errors have been criticised.

Yet, the Reds academy star acted professionally and still worked hard last season to guide his side to the title. It has only been a poor start for Konate, and it is safe to assume he will follow his former teammate’s path and act professionally, too.

Related Klopp had the original Ngumoha but he's not played for Liverpool in 18 months

Rio Ngumoha Shines for Liverpool as Kaide Gordon’s Stalled Journey Serves as Warning

Posts ByWill Miller Sep 8, 2025