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Sergio Ramos is reportedly still dreaming of a Real Madrid return amid the club's defensive injury crisis.

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• Ramos left Sevilla last summer
• Snubbed offers from MLS & more
• Dreaming of Real Madrid return

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to AS, the free agent wants a Madrid return in light of long-term injuries to defenders David Alaba, Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal. But the report states that is "utopia" and is unlikely to happen for the centre-back.

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  Ramos has been without a club since leaving Sevilla at the end of last season. Despite reportedly receiving offers from teams in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, San Diego in Major League Soccer, and Boca Juniors, the 38-year-old remains a free agent. The report adds there has been a 'lack of conviction' in the offers that have come his way to date but his requirements will be lower in January as he doesn't want to be out of action for too long.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  During Ramos' 16 years at Madrid, he scored a remarkable 101 goals in 671 appearances. The defender, who has 180 Spain caps, won an astonishing 22 trophies with Los Blancos, too.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Ramos turns 39 next year and while he continues to train to high intensity, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain man will likely want to have a team for the second half of the season.

Sunderland supporters will hope their super confident Black Cats team can make it three Championship wins from three today, but will know Scott Parker's Burnley are going to an almighty tough nut to crack.

Hammering in a stunning nine goals from their opening two league games to date, the Clarets will go into the clash at the Stadium of Light equally delirious on confidence, in what could be a barnstorming early season contest.

Regis Le Bris will hope Patrick Roberts continues his fine second tier form against the tricky visitors from Lancashire, to give his new side a chance to make it three stunning league victories on the spin, having been impressed by the experienced winger since taking over.

Patrick Roberts' early season form

The ex-Celtic attacker had a lot to prove coming into the 24/25 season, having really struggled last campaign to consistently deliver, with only two assists next to his name from 32 league clashes, alongside failing to find the net altogether.

Roberts already has a goal contribution tallied up from the two clashes so far though, with the Sunderland number ten a reinvigorated figure again in the XI, under Le Bris' management.

Singling out the former Lorient manager in a recent interview for his positive nature, Roberts is a man no longer shackled by last season's woes, seen in his devastating display in Sunderland's 4-0 demolition job of Sheffield Wednesday last time out.

Attempting four dribbles in the contest as a constantly tricky customer for his marker, the 27-year-old attacker also registered four strikes on James Beadle's net as a thorn in the Owls side all afternoon.

His main contribution would be to assist Dennis Cirkin's opening strike on the day, before the likes of Eliezer Mayenda took over, with the young French centre-forward bagging his first ever senior goals in the emphatic win.

The transfer saga involving Alexandre Mendy rumbling on has now taken somewhat of a back-seat, as a result of Sunderland's blistering start, with a fresh bid in and around the £2m region recently put in for the SM Caen sharp-shooter from the Black Cats.

Yet, Le Bris and Co might well not even need the added ammunition of the current Ligue 2 golden boot holder anymore, with players such as Roberts supplying chances galore to the current crop of strikers at the Black Cats, with his price-tag also above that of the wanted Frenchman's.

Roberts' transfer value in 2024

According to Football Transfers, Roberts' value now stands at a hefty £3.1m, with Sunderland still majorly benefitting from the free transfer deal that saw the former Manchester City man join the Stadium of Light ranks back in 2022.

At the peak of his game, under ex-Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray, Roberts was even described as being a "magic" talent according to the former manager, after firing in five goals and amassing seven assists across the 2022/23 season that saw the Wearside outfit enter the play-offs.

Le Bris will pray he can match those numbers across this full season to come, with the potential there for him to even better this impressive output, as Sunderland aim to make the play-offs once more.

Even with Mayenda finally breaking his men's team duck, the focus remained on getting a new striker in the door, with Wilson Isidor having joined on a season-long loan deal – perhaps a wise move as opposed to lavishly forking out millions on Mendy.

Regardless of what does develop on this transfer front, Roberts will want to continue proving his worth to Sunderland's cause, after suffering a crisis in confidence last campaign.

Cost £0: Sunderland struck gold on star who's worth way more than Ekwah

Sunderland fans adore this player when he’s at the top of his game.

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 20, 2024

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has torn into Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, claiming “they don’t care” amid controversial ticket price hikes.

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• Scholes tears into Ratcliffe & INEOS
• Claims they're 'not doing anything for fans'
• Ratcliffe's cost-cutting measures proving unpopular

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ratcliffe, who is Britain’s richest man, is now a co-owner at Old Trafford alongside the unpopular Glazer family. His arrival was initially welcomed by a disgruntled fan base crying out for further investment and positive progress to be made on and off the pitch.

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  Ratcliffe has, however, overseen a number of cost-cutting measures behind the scenes, while passing fund-raising efforts onto supporters that are now shelling out big money to watch a brand of football that remains alarmingly inconsistent.

• WHAT SCHOLES SAID

  United great Scholes has been left less than impressed by the new regime in Manchester, with the 11-time Premier League title winner telling The Overlap Fan Debate brought to you by : “[INEOS Group] have been in charge for nearly a year now and everything is still negative. I can’t think of something positive that they’ve done for the football club. Things are getting worse on the football pitch so couldn’t they have just said that they’d do cheaper tickets – couldn’t they just give us something positive. How can you ask Manchester United fans to pay more money with what’s on the football pitch.

  “£66 for a ticket is ridiculous. If you think of Manchester, there are so many deprived areas and Sir Jim Ratcliffe himself is from Failsworth – which is a deprived area. If you take one kid with you, that’s £120, if you take a family, you’re looking at £300-400 – it’s not right. Where do these owners get the front to put ticket prices up? For the value – we’re probably having our worst ever Premier League season and they’ve got the cheek to put the prices up.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  United have claimed positive results against arch-rivals Manchester City and Liverpool since appointing Ruben Amorim as successor to Erik ten Hag, but they remain 13th in the English top-flight table. Scholes sees little progress being made, adding: “There is nothing positive happening with that football club. The team look bang average. They’re not doing anything for fans. If we’ve got Sir Jim Ratcliffe, compared to all these American owners, who’s been a United fan since growing up in an area in Manchester – he’s still hiking prices up. It just shows that they don’t care.”

After an excellent summer transfer window, Manchester United are already reportedly targeting further incomings, with a long-term replacement for Luke Shaw now in their sights.

Man Utd transfer news

The Red Devils ended the window with the arrival of Manuel Ugarte to ensure that they welcomed additions all across Erik ten Hag's side, from the backline to his attacking options. Ugarte may well prove to be the most important incoming of the lot. The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder should replace Casemiro and put an end to United's woes in the middle of the park.

Ugarte was a fan of the deal himself, expressing his delight by telling the club's official website: "It is an incredible feeling to join a club of this magnitude; one that is admired all around the world. The project that the football leadership discussed with me is extremely exciting; Manchester United is an ambitious club and I am an ambitious player."

However, those at Old Trafford haven't taken time to admire their summer business, as they have already shifted their attention towards further incomings. According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United are now targeting a long-term deal to sign Antonee Robinson to replace the injury-prone Luke Shaw. The 27-year-old is reportedly valued at £30m by Fulham and could help solve another problem in Ten Hag's side.

No one's doubting Shaw's ability, of course, but his injury record speaks for itself, with the left-back having already missed the start of the campaign. Robinson, meanwhile, missed just one Premier League game last season and has enjoyed a flying start to the season at Craven Cottage.

"Great" Robinson has picked up where he left off

Arguably one of the Premier League's best left-backs last season, Robinson has simply picked up where he left off since the summer, assisting twice in three games to maintain his place as one of Fulham's most important players.

Fulham boss Marco Silva is well aware of just how talented the American is too, having said via The Athletic last weekend: "The way he started last week, he’s a great, great athlete. He’s a crucial, crucial player for us. If he keeps improving, then it will be another big season ahead for him. A great assist, great decision to do it first-time for Iwobi. He has to really like his performance."

As Robinson continues to steal the headlines, Manchester United could close in to land the ultimate replacement for the unreliable Shaw.

Shaw's lack of minutes last season highlights just how unreliable an option he has become under Ten Hag. By contrast, Robinson's ability to create and his consistency stand out as traits that the Red Devils should be chasing sooner rather than later.

Barcelona could reportedly lose over £218 million after La Liga rejected their attempts to register Dani Olmo before January.

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• La Liga have rejected Barcelona's attempt to register Olmo
• Catalan club could lose upto £218m ($273m)
• Olmo is currently a free agent and could sign for another club

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barcelona received grim news as La Liga rejected their attempt to register Olmo before the January deadline, putting the Catalan giants in a precarious financial situation. Currently, Olmo is technically a free agent. Despite this, his agent, Andy Bara, confirmed to Fabrizio Romano that the player's intention is to "stay at Barcelona" and that they are "not considering any other option." However, if the situation isn't resolved, the financial repercussions for Barcelona could be staggering, according to .

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  Barcelona would still owe Olmo £41m ($51m) in wages for the remainder of his contract, which runs until 2030, even if he departs the club. Additionally, the club is still obligated to pay RB Leipzig £47m ($59m) as part of the transfer agreement when they signed the forward. Furthermore, Barcelona would miss out on any potential transfer fee for Olmo, whose market value is currently estimated at £53m ($66.5m) by Transfermarkt.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The financial blow doesn’t stop there. Barcelona recently sold VIP boxes at the Spotify Camp Nou for £87m ($109m) as part of a revenue-generation strategy during the stadium's ongoing renovations. However, experts believe the club could have secured double that amount—an additional £87m – had the sales been properly optimized. When all these figures are combined, the potential loss exceeds £218 million ($343m), a sum that the cash-strapped club cannot afford to lose. While some fans hold onto a sliver of hope that Barcelona can reverse the ruling by January 3, the dominant mood among supporters and insiders surrounding the club is one of pessimism.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

  This isn’t just a footballing crisis; it’s a financial catastrophe that could have long-lasting effects on the club's operations and ambitions. With mounting obligations and diminishing revenue streams, the Catalan giants face an uphill battle to stabilize their accounts. As the saga unfolds, Barcelona will have to move forward without Dani Olmo. The team is set to face lower-league side Barbastro in the Copa del Rey on Saturday. Following that, they will compete in the Supercopa de España semi-final against Athletic Club.

Journalist Phil Smith has revealed what Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris loves about one Black Cats player, following another Championship win that put them top of the table.

Sunderland top of the Championship

The Black Cats are flying under their new manager, with dreams of a genuine Championship automatic promotion push now growing by the week.

On Saturday, Sunderland picked up a 3-1 victory in the long trip south to Portsmouth, and it means Le Bris' side still have a 100% record to start to new season, winning all four league matches to date. They are the only team to achieve that goal.

Victories have also been secured against Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley, the latter of which felt like a statement victory, due to the Clarets arguably being seen as the favourites to win the Championship title in 2024/25.

It is still early days, of course, and losing star man Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town is a massive blow, but life under Le Bris couldn't be going much better at the moment. Various players are thriving for Sunderland, including Chris Rigg, who at only 17 years of age, already looks like a seasoned veteran, featuring in all four league matches and starting three of them. It is another young gem who has come in for special praise, though.

Journalist talks up Le Bris' admiration for Mayenda

Writing for The Sunderland Echo on Monday, Smith claimed that Eliezer Mayenda has become a favourite of Le Bris' at Sunderland due to "his willingness to learn and how quickly he was able to understand the demands being placed on him in terms of his out-of-possession work".

He also adds that "at this point, we have to acknowledge that his status in this squad has changed", in terms of him now being first choice instead of a backup attacking option, perhaps even changing future transfer plans when it comes to signing a senior number nine.

Mayenda deserves all the praise that is coming his way, following an excellent start to the season that has seen him lead the line impressively. The 19-year-old has scored and assisted twice apiece in his first four Championship appearances of the season, while Le Bris himself has heaped praise on him.

“He truly sets a good example for the entire squad. Last season, he wasn’t in the starting lineup, but his desire to enhance his game is commendable. He possesses a wealth of talent, but being young means he is constantly striving to fine-tune his skills. His hard work was rewarded today."

At 19, Mayenda still has to be considered a work in progress, and fans must stay on his side if he goes through a bad run of form, but the early signs are so exciting.

Championship Table: Latest standings for the 2024/25 season

Latest English Football League Championship standings 2024/25.

By
Stephan Georgiou

Apr 22, 2025

He is starting every week on merit, and the fact that Smith also mentions he thinks the Portsmouth game was the teenager's "best showing" of the campaign to date – he bagged two assists at Fratton Park – suggests that he is only improving as a player.

With the return of Premier League action this weekend, Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without one of Gary O’Neil’s star men for their next clash up against Newcastle United.

Wolves injury news

The Midlands club will instantly be on the hunt for their first three points of the season against Newcastle following a tough start before the international break. Shoved aside by Arsenal on the opening day, Wolves then suffered the same fate against Chelsea before drawing against Nottingham Forest to take one point from nine available.

Wolves must regret losing big-money star who's better than Gomes

Wolves could use their ex-star who is even better than Gomes.

1

By
Connor Holden

Sep 13, 2024

O’Neil won’t be too concerned as of yet, however. After all, it’s still very early days and he’ll be more aware than anyone just how much of a transition his side will need to make in the next few months after losing Pedro Neto and Max Kilman in the summer. It’s a transition that could do with going smoothly without any injury troubles, but Premier League action rarely allows for that.

On that front, the Midlands already look set to be without two star men for the visit of Newcastle in what is an undoubted early blow. As confirmed by Gary O’Neil, Rayan Ait-Nouri faces a late fitness check, as does Mario Lemina, ahead of their game against the Magpies on Sunday.

He told the media via The Express and Star’s Liam Keen: “Everyone is OK and in a decent spot. Mario and Rayan haven’t trained much and there will be late checks on them. Yerson had cramp in both calves and didn’t train fully today, but there’s no injury.”

It will be interesting to see just who comes in for Ait-Nouri, in particular, given that Wolves sent backup left-back Hugo Bueno out on loan to Feyenoord in the summer. Left waiting to step up in place will now likely be Toti Gomes, who is primarily a centre-back in a far from ideal option for O’Neil to be left with.

"Great" Ait-Nouri has become key man at Wolves

A name linked with a move away to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United in recent months, Ait-Nouri has well and truly established himself as a key man under O’Neil after being cast to one side under former boss Julen Lopetegui.

Earning his place back under his current manager, Ait-Nouri hasn’t looked back since and can revel in the praise of O’Neil, who said last season via Molineux News: “He’s a great lad who has loads of ability. I absolutely love him as a guy and he’s come on so much as well, with his professionalism and the way he approaches things. He’s learning, asking loads of really good questions where I can help him understand things.”

Without him for Newcastle’s visit, Wolves will be lacking that attacking element down the left-hand side, especially if it is to be Gomes in Ait-Nouri’s place, and may be left sitting deeper as a result.

The last thing that O’Neil needs is for an opening blip to turn into the beginning of a one-way course towards a relegation battle this season, highlighting the importance of Wolves’ hunt for three points ending in success sooner rather than later.

Once an after-thought in USMNT player pool, 2018 POTY Steffen might have the opportunity to break back into the side

MIAMI – Zack Steffen is just glad to be playing soccer again. The Colorado Rapids and USMNT goalkeeper, after over two years away from the senior side, is back in the mix for the January 2025 camp. There was a sense that he may never break back in. Siphoned out by Gregg Berhlater and benched in Europe, there didn't seem to be room for a young talent once considered next in a long line of top-tier USMNT shot stoppers – heir apparent to Tim Howard.

But with a fresh start, under a new manager in Mauricio Pochettino, and an international window that clashes with the European calendar, the former Manchester City and Columbus Crew man has an opportunity to show that he can perhaps wear the gloves full time for his country going forward.

"Everybody knows that [Pochettino] came in and said that there are spots open," Steffen told GOAL at MLS Media Day, "and that he wants there to be competition in every position. That's my mindset. I want to get back to number one."

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  Falling out of the picture

  The 29-year-old has been waiting for this moment for a while. He was part of a key transitional phase for the U.S. under Berhalter. The USMNT's failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup brought about vast changes in the senior side. And with an older crop of goalkeepers retiring or moved on, Steffen earned the No. 1 shirt in 2018.

  What followed was a series of promising showings from the then-Crew shotstopper. The standout came in a 1-1 draw with France, in which he made seven saves in just his third senior international appearance. Piece it all together, and he was named USMNT Player of the Year in 2018. A European move to Manchester City – via German side Fortuna Dusseldorf – followed.

  Dusseldorf were relegated from the Bundesliga in Steffen's sole season at the club, ending any possibility of another loan or perhaps a permanent signing with the German club. And so he returned to City in a backup role, making just 17 appearances across the next two seasons. But there, his form dipped. He made a duo of high profile mistakes against Liverpool in an FA Cup semifinal, and with the emergence of Matt Turner at Nottingham Forest, Steffen's spot became precarious.

  A phone call from Berhalter confirmed it at the end of 2022. Steffen wasn't going to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. His USMNT future was in doubt.

  "Nobody wants to get rejected," Steffen told GOAL in September 2024. "Everybody wants to be part of something, and I want to be part of the national team. I want to be part of winning teams. So, yeah, it f*cking hurt, and it still hurts to this day."

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  Pochettino and a fresh start

  But with a new manager has arrived a new chance. Steffen was called up to Pochettino's first training camp back in October, handed his first look for the national team in more than two years. And although he didn't feature in either friendly – a home win against Panama followed by a forgettable loss to Mexico – there was a sense of encouragement by inclusion alone.

  The new manager made it clear, too, that he wasn't just there as an extra body.

  "It was just like, 'Hey, it's a new slate.' We know you have experience, and we just want you to bring that experiences and push the guys," Steffen said.

  Steffen was included in the next camp, too, and watched from the sidelines as Turner started both CONCACAF Nations League games against Jamaica. But the energy of a new staff alone helped. Pochettino has surrounded himself with some of the more experienced assistant coaches in football – they have followed him from PSG, Chelsea and Tottenham. For Steffen, their leadership and drive directed towards the whole group has been infectious. That includes Antonio “Toni” Jimenez, the goalkeeping coach. He had an extensive professional career as a goalie around Spain, and joined Pochettino at Espanyol in 2011.

  "They're great coaches and very experienced. They make it tough, but it's all really good stuff that they're trying to portray and teach us," Steffen said.

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  MLS offers new chances

  In early 2024, Steffen made a surprise decision by returning to MLS after four seasons in Europe. He had perhaps done enough at Middlesborough in the 2022-23 campaign to earn another No. 1 job overseas. But MLS offered a fresh start for a goalkeeper who perhaps needed one. He was in his late 20s, and, quite simply, required reps.

  "Of course, it's so good to go to top clubs and get the best training and learn from the best players," Steffen said, "but at the end of the day, there comes a time where you need to be playing."

  And play he did. The Rapids enjoyed a solid start to the season under new head coach Chris Armas. And after a memorable Leagues Cup run in which they won two penalty shootouts – spearheaded by some standout showings from Steffen – there was a real belief in the camp.

  "It's a handful of things, of why I had a good run, and why the team had a good run and got a little lucky at times, and all that stuff. But I think it's I'm at my best when I'm out of my head and I'm just playing," Steffen said.

  But then things took a turn. Colorado ran out of steam down the stretch, stumbled into playoffs, and were blown out in a best of three series by eventual champions LA Galaxy.

  "It was a positive year, but we just collapsed towards the last two months of the season. We were just exhausted," Steffen said.

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  Competition elsewhere

  It has been more than two months since Steffen last played a competitive football match. MLS preseason starts for most clubs at the end of January, with rosters for the 2025 campaign steadily being finalized. Steffen, who signed a three-year deal in 2024, has the perfect opportunity to find his feet – and soon.

  Turner – now a backup for Crystal Palace who has been repeatedly linked with a January transfer away from the Premier League club – doesn't seem to have a firm hold on the starting spot. There is a sense that, as ever, this shirt could be up for grabs.

  Still, there's competition. Along wit Steffen, Inter Miami's Drake Callender, NYCFC's Matt Freese and Columbus' Patrick Schulte round out a quartet of MLS goalies all vouching for the starting gig. Between the four, there are 31 US caps. Steffen has 29 of them. That experience might be vital as Pochettino considers his options.

  "I mean it's business on the field. Of course, we all want to get better. We all want to push each other to get better. We all want to play so, but it's all it's all class and friendships off the field," Steffen said.

GOAL US writers debate Gio Reyna's future, whether Tim Weah should transfer, and which megastar might move to MLS

So, Gio Reyna probably needs to leave Borussia Dortmund. The American playmaker has been in and out of the side for over a year now, a mixture of injuries and manager's selections making him a bit-part player in the Bundesliga. This was known for some time.

And after Mauricio Pochettino said that he wanted to play with a No. 10 in his new system, the need for more minutes was only further crystallized. But how does this all work, and where does he go? He might have to accept a step down in quality. Then again, with a new manager soon to arrive following the sacking of Nuri Sahin, he might just have an impetus to stick around.

Tim Weah's situation seems more well-established – if equally unstable. He yet to earn himself consistent minutes under Thiago Motta, despite turning in a few solid performances. That has been the story of his career – a series of almost successes at European-level clubs. He, too, may need to go elsewhere – but speculation of an Everton switch might not be so prudent.

And elsewhere, MLS seemingly has all-but missed out on Neymar. Talk of a Chicago Fire move has quieted, and it appears near-inevitable that he will sign a six month deal to play for his boyhood club, Santos. Where does that leave MLS now? Does the league need another megastar this January? It will make for interesting debate.

Finally, Jack McGlynn has impressed for the USMNT, including a stunner of a goal in a friendly vs. Venezuela last weekend. Is it time for him to leave the Philadelphia Union and look to play in Europe? And is he ready for a step up in quality? These are all intriguing questions as the world of soccer continues to turn.

GOAL US writers discuss all of that and more in the latest edition of… The Rondo.

• Is Reyna USMNT's next No. 10? Does Dortmund coaching move change anything?

  Tom Hindle: On talent alone, there's no doubt. He's the most technically gifted player in the USMNT setup not named Christian Pulisic. But being naturally good alone doesn't guarantee success (see Oscar for more.) There are all sorts of concerns here: injuries, attitude, a lack of playing time at club level. Even a new manager can't fix the fundamentals. What Reyna needs is stability, and a new boss coming in – unless it's a return from Jurgen bloody Klopp (not happening) – isn't going to help. He probably needs to go somewhere a little out of the spotlight, if possible. He's still young enough so that a lateral – or perhaps even lesser – move could suit his game. Go play somewhere for a couple of years and then get the big move everyone sort of knows you're good enough to get. Poch will be watching.

  Jacob Schneider: Regardless of Sahin’s sacking, leave, leave, leave. Leave, leave, leave. However, for the love of all things soccer, don't let outside sources influence your move like last January. Find an actual, proper fit, a coach who appreciates you and a team that needs you. Gio has constantly shown his class for club and country, but it's time to leave Dortmund so that he shows it consistently. A move to a different club in Germany, or perhaps Italy, could be career-changing for him. He's still just 21, but it's time to go.

  Alex Labidou: The on-and-off nature of Reyna at Dortmund needs to mercifully come to an end. It is hampering the development of a player who could arguably be the second – or even the best – American soccer player at the moment if he was playing consistently and building confidence. Reyna's management and Dortmund need to find a way to amicably split. The "will-he-go?" conversation every transfer window is becoming cumbersome at best, and detrimental to his career at worst. Yes, Sahin’s departure could signal a fresh start but it feels like this is a conversation every time Dortmund change their manager. A fresh start somewhere else is desperately needed for Reyna.

  Ryan Tolmich: If the Milan interest is real, get your stuff packed and hope. That seems as if would be a good landing spot for Reyna, who would have the comfort of playing with two USMNT teammates. Milan have also been a great place for players in need of a fresh start, which is something Reyna really does need. Maybe the new coach coming in at Dortmund gives that to him, but we've heard that talk before, haven't we?

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  If Neymar bypasses MLS, what global star should league target?

  TH: Tough to say. The idea is to go for a mega star, right? And there aren't loads on the market at the moment. Let's start with the pipe dream and say Cristiano Ronaldo. There are scattered reports that the Portuguese star has signed a new contract at Al Nassr, but nothing concrete. It is known that Sporting KC – yes, you read that right – made a serious push for him a couple of years ago. Why not take another stab? It would actually melt America. In the land of realism, MLS probably keeps its powder dry for the next six months before perhaps going after Neymar in July (similarly to what Miami did with Messi in 2023.) Kevin De Bruyne and Antoine Griezmann have also been linked, but neither really moves the needle – Griezmann is one of football's great underrated players, but he isn't selling shirts. There's no unreal need to rush this thing, especially if Messi sticks around until 2026. By then, a certain Christian Pulisic might just be tempted to triple his salary.

  JS: The Chicago Fire's interest in Neymar was a valiant effort, but it always felt like it was Miami, one of the LA teams or bust. With that assumption in hand, Miami have an open DP spot and have money to play with. With the Argentine contingent already growing in South Beach, it would be fascinating to see them target a player such as Paulo Dybala. One of the LA teams, meanwhile, could be the destination for Griezmann. Another name to watch, though, is Alexandre Lacazette, who is out of contract this summer with Lyon.

  AL: Neymar's reported move to Santos is a backbreaker for MLS, which needs stars to drive viewers. There isn't a like-for-like replacement for Neymar, who is injury-prone but still in his prime. His popularity is at a scope that only two others can match or exceed: Messi and Ronaldo. So why not sign Ronaldo? Listen, he's not everyone's cup of tea – but one could make an argument he's been a better ambassador for the Saudi League than Messi has been for MLS.

  Soccer fans around the world know exactly how he feels about playing in the Middle East. Messi has given less than a handful of media appearances since joining MLS and has said nothing of substance about playing in North America's top flight. If Ronaldo arrives, he would be a running advertisement for MLS akin to what David Beckham did when he arrived. Only issue, similar to Neymar, is there are other suitors. Al-Nassar reportedly offered him $573,000 a day to stay. Offer him a similar package to Messi's and see if that's enough to change his mind.

  RT: De Bruyne is the most linked one, yeah? The Manchester City star has been tied to San Diego FC, which would certainly make that team a whole lot of fun. Spreading the wealth is good, and not every star can land with Messi in Miami. So, in general, it would be nice to see teams like the Fire and San Diego really push to bring in a big name. De Bruyne makes as much sense as any from an on- and off-field perspective, and it would be fun to see him ping passes around the field in MLS.

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  Should USMNT breakout McGlynn go to Europe?

  TH: Chill, please. Jack McGlynn is a solid footballer. But, lads, it's a backup Venezuela team. McGlynn is a funny player. He strikes the ball so well, and can certainly pick a pass. But he's a woeful athlete. It puts him in a weird spot: not technically good enough for a top European league, but not athletic enough to serve alone in an engine room in MLS. Stick around with Philly for a couple more years and see what happens.

  JS: McGlynn is in a similar situation to Aidan Morris when he left the Columbus Crew for Middlesbrough last summer. He is one hundred percent ready for Europe, but the move has to be perfect for him, if he has 2026 ambitions with the USMNT. For Morris, he was immediately a member of the XI until he was hit with an injury in November. In McGlynn's situation, he needs to find a landing spot that is both at a competitive level, and one where there is an opening in the midfield. If he can find that, move to Europe, absolutely. If not, another year won't hurt.

  AL: Let's not get ahead of ourselves. McGlynn hasn't necessarily shown that he's even an MLS star yet, but he definitely has the potential to be a star stateside – and potentially abroad – in the future. Yet, there are still wrinkles for the midfielder to work on, including athleticism and building strength. The smart move is to put together a dominant season or two in MLS, shine when given opportunities with USMNT, and hope that's enough to earn a ticket to 2026.

  RT: Give it a few more months. This feels like a discussion to revisit in the summer, which is almost always a better time for players to make the big hop to Europe. If McGlynn is out of challenges in MLS by then, it would be a good time to start fresh with a new team with a year-long run up until the World Cup. That's plenty of time. Moving to soon is a risk. So too is moving too late. This summer, if all goes to plan, could be just right.

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  Should Weah move on from Juventus?

  TH: At some point you probably have to ask what Weah's level is. The winger/midfielder/striker/defender has made a career off being sort of good at multiple big clubs – without really settling in one spot. His USMNT career has been mixed, too, with a silly red card in Copa America his only lasting moment for his country. Juve don't seem sold on him, so it does appear to be the right time for a move. Serie A might remain a good spot, but he might be more regular minutes at Fiorentina than occasional spells off the bench for Juve. And there's nothing wrong with that whatsoever. As for Everton… lol.

  JS: Not to Everton, surely. However, a move to a similar UCL caliber and title-contending club wouldn't hurt if he's guaranteed game time and starting minutes. The thing about Weah is he just needs consistency, and perhaps, a manager who has a little faith in him game-in and game-out. Staying with Juventus makes a ton of sense, too, though. He's comfortable, plays rather regularly – although he should be rewarded with a starting role more often due to his production rate – and in general, seems to be adored by the fans. It's a good fit, so a move should not be forced.

  AL: Weah potentially leaving Juventus is intriguing, but a move to Everton seems far from ideal. The club has been poorly run in recent years, narrowly avoiding relegation each season. While the Toffees now have new American owners in the Friedkin Group and a state-of-the-art stadium under construction at Bramley-Moore Dock, they still exude chaos. It’s also worth noting that the Friedkin Group has left AS Roma in disarray since taking over. If Weah is considering a move, he should prioritize a more stable situation or continue fighting for his place at Juventus.

  RT: Absolutely not. It's hard to find a good thing on the club level, and Weah has a good thing. He's a legitimate contributor for a gigantic team, and there should only be a handful of clubs that should be able to tempt him to leave Juve. Of course, the Premier League money makes a difference, but that Championship money doesn't hit so sweet. Because of that, Everton should be ruled out immediately while any other Premier League team outside of the big boys should be treated with skepticism given his current role at Juve.

Derby County will know that Pride Park needs to continue being a fortress this season if they want to safely secure their Championship status come the end of the gruelling 46-game campaign.

The Rams have picked up an impressive nine points so far from six matches, with three wins and three losses next to their name, as all the victories tallied up to date have come on their own patch.

Paul Warne will be hoping that his team don’t over-rely on their home form to get them out of trouble, however, but will be pleased with his side’s start all the same, with Kayden Jackson, in particular, standing out with his displays up top.

Jackson's form this season

Supporters that pack out Pride Park week in week out will already be heralding Jackson as a top buy, with the former Ipswich Town attacker costing the Rams nothing to get in through the door this summer, after his Tractor Boys contract had expired.

The experienced EFL forward, who has amassed 71 second tier appearances across his varied career to date, has netted three goals already this season in all competitions, which included this powerful strike against Bristol City finding the back of the net to send the Derby home masses into pandemonium.

He has fluffed his lines in Derby’s last two Championship encounters, with Jackson only managing a lacklustre 26 touches last time out versus Sheffield United in a 1-0 defeat, but plenty more will be expected of him as the season goes on and clashes become more meaningful.

Derby would love to have this former striker back on their books to aid Jackson up top, to alleviate some of the pressure on the former Ipswich man’s shoulders, with the ex-star in question now on the books at League One Wrexham who are taking the third tier by storm.

Marriott's form this season

That former hero is Jack Marriott, who is most widely known in Derby quarters to this day as the striker who bagged the Rams’ only strike in the 2019 Championship playoff final, when facing off against Dean Smith’s Aston Villa.

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Villa would, unfortunately, get the better of Derby 2-1 come the end of the entertaining final, as Frank Lampard’s side had to take their Premier League near miss on the chin, with an energetic Marriott then struggling to ever recapture his best form donning a Rams strip after this moment in the Wembley spotlight.

Marriott has become a well-travelled presence up and down the EFL since his exit from Pride Park, which saw him leave for nothing in 2021 to move to Peterborough, but it’s his impressive form for Wrexham this campaign so far that has really caught the eye.

The 30-year-old has actually outscored Jackson at the Racecourse Ground, with four goals managed for the Red Dragons from eight games in all competitions, as the experienced attacker even picked up the League One Goal of the Month accolade for this sublime effort versus Wycombe Wanderers last month.

The much-talked-about Welsh outfit will just pray that Marriott can keep up this early electric form as back-to-back promotions begin to be eyed up, with the ex-Derby man even a previous golden boot winner at the level – having been hailed as “top class” by former boss Lampard.

If Marriott does continue to fire in goal after goal, Wrexham and Derby might well even face off against each other next season, if Warne’s men also manage to stave off relegation.

It will be an intriguing race to keep tabs on to see who scores the most goals for their respective outfit, with Derby banking on the fact that their shrewd buy can remain consistent in front of goal away from any talk surrounding Wrexham, to ensure they don’t drop immediately back down to League One.

Derby have struck gold on star who's worth more than Mendez-Laing & Cashin

Derby County have already struck gold with this new addition.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Sep 15, 2024