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Leeds United are looking to finish the transfer window in strong fashion, but not everyone is convinced about the latest name who is set for a move to Elland Road.

Leeds United agree deal to sign James Justin from Leicester City

With their Premier League comeback now underway, Mike McGrath has confirmed that Leeds are set to sign James Justin for £10 million as he enters the final year of his contract at Leicester City.

He stated on X: “Leicester have agreed a deal worth £10m with Leeds for James Justin. The England-capped full-back, 27, having medical at LUFC.”

Earning an instant return after the Foxes’ relegation last season, Justin registered four goals and two assists in 36 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, though couldn’t help his side reverse the tide under Ruud van Nistelrooy.

More recently, he has featured in two of Leicester’s three opening fixtures, starring in their win against Sheffield Wednesday and 2-1 loss to Preston North End. Still, not everyone is convinced by his arrival at Elland Road.

News UK journalist Charlie Carmichael has claimed the Foxes have done an “unbelievable” job to take in £10 million given his contract situation and recent form at the King Power Stadium, believing he was “miles off” top flight level.

Putting that to the test, there are plenty of conflicting opinions on Leeds’ latest capture as they look to stay in the top-flight for the foreseeable future.

Should Leeds United be bringing Justin to Elland Road?

After a 5-0 defeat to Arsenal that exposed Leeds’ defensive frailties, news that Justin is on his way hasn’t pleased the Yorkshire giants’ support in their entirety, it is fair to say. First of all, his £10 million price-tag is steep, in context, considering he would’ve been available for free next summer.

Albeit, the Whites have spent £91.3 million and he would come in as their joint-sixth most expensive addition of the window alongside Gabriel Gudmunsson. Still, shelling out a reasonable fee for someone out of form is hardly inspiring, especially in a world where adhering to PSR regulations is becoming pivotal to clubs that can establish themselves in the Premier League.

Last term, Fotmob calculate that Justin was dribbled past 23 times and lost the ball 15 times in the top-flight, picking up six yellow cards in the process, with his defensive frailties highlighted by a video circulating on social media. Of course, plying his trade for a side who were nailed-on relegation candidates from the start didn’t help, but he also delivered a dribble success rate of 40.9%, which is hardly ideal when it comes to structuring build-up play efficiently.

Despite possessing significant talent, Justin lost almost 45% of his aerial duels in the same timeframe, emphasising that he still has much to improve on at the elite level if he wants to become a success at Elland Road.

Availability is the greatest ability, according to some, though the fact he has missed 100 matches since 2020/21 due to Achilles issues and a cruciate ligament tear leaves alot to be desired ahead of his involvement at Leeds.

Ultimately, Farke will know Justin has strong traits as a full-back due to his speed and ability to intercept oncoming attacks, though his deficiencies could outweigh his strenghs in the Premier League if recent indications are anything to go by.

Gian Piero Gasperini was left astonished as AS Roma missed three penalties in a row and went down 1-0 against Lille in the Europa League on Thursday. The incident happened after Roma were awarded a penalty. Artem Dovbyk had to take his penalty twice after Berke Ozer came out of his line to stop both efforts. Finally, Matias Soule took the spot-kick in the third attempt and Ozer once again saved.

• Roma go down after missing three penalties in a row

  Lille took an early lead in the sixth minute of the match through Hakon Arnar Haraldsson's strike, which proved enough for the French side to seal crucial three points in an away fixture. Roma had the opportunity to restore parity in the 82nd minute when they were handed a penalty. However, Lille custodian Ozer made back-to-back three saves to keep the scoreline unchanged. 

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• AFP
  

  Gasperini left astonished

  Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, the AS Roma boss said: "It had never happened to me before to miss three penalties in the same situation. We went behind early, which gave them the best conditions. Roma, despite some technical errors, played with desire and rhythm until the end. Maybe we weren’t strong in taking advantage of the chances but from these games you come out with something more. It was almost unique and accidental. But it happened and undoubtedly compromised the result. The team, in terms of spirit, gave a lot."

• 'We must make fewer mistakes'

  On Roma's overall performance in the game, Gasperini added: "In the second half we had continuity in attack. They are fast and technical, it wasn’t easy, but we had spirit and intensity. Of course we must make fewer mistakes but I have to look at the good things too. This is a competition where there are eight games, not a direct elimination and the team stayed focused until the end. We are sportsmen. Mistakes happen, but there is no such thing as getting discouraged. Luckily we play every three days, so we move on quickly."

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  Roma made a bright start under Gasperini

  The former Europa League-winning Atalanta boss took charge of AS Roma this summer and so far under his tutelage, the Italian side has made a bright start to their 2025-26 campaign, as they have won four out of their first five Serie A games. The loss against Lille was only the club's second defeat in the new season.

Manchester United’s activity within the transfer market over recent years has been questionable to say the least, wasting a whole host of money in the process.

Erik ten Hag’s tenure was arguably one of the worst for the club, with the hierarchy providing the Dutchman with over £600m worth of funds to improve the first-team squad.

However, his highest finish in the Premier League at Old Trafford was third place, but ultimately his additions failed to make the desired impact – which led to his dismissal in October last year.

The Red Devils’ failures in the transfer market have made Ruben Amorim’s task in the role a tad harder, having to work with the players already at the club – which has seen him notch a measly 40% win rate.

That could all be about to change this summer, with the hierarchy already backing the new boss, whilst also preparing other offers for additional signings before the transfer deadline.

Man Utd targeting Bruno Fernandes midfield partner

The midfield department is next on the agenda for United, with Fermin Lopez one of the players in their sights, according to some of the latest updates on the 22-year-old’s future.

It’s been reported that the Red Devils have already made a £69m offer for the Barcelona star, with the player himself keen on a switch to the Premier League this summer.

However, he’s not the only player currently being considered by the club’s hierarchy, with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba also firmly in their sights, according to David Ornstein.

Speaking on the Sports Agenda podcast, the journalist claimed that the 21-year-old is now Amorim’s top target this summer, after securing a move for Benjamin Sesko last week.

He also confirmed that talks have already been held with the players over a switch to Old Trafford, but it could prove to be a mammoth addition, given his current £100m asking price.

Why United’s latest target will be the best signing since Bruno

Despite United struggling over recent years, Bruno Fernandes has been the club’s captain and still managed to provide some incredible numbers in the process.

He registered a total of 37 combined goals and assists last season, helping the Red Devils reach the Europa League final and undoubtedly preventing the side from finishing further down the table.

However, other big-money additions haven’t been as successful, with Rasmus Hojlund unable to make the desired impact after his £72m move from Atalanta back in the summer of 2023.

The Dane has only scored 26 times in his 95 outings to date, subsequently being strongly linked with a cut-price departure to join Italian giants AC Milan this window.

Undoubtedly, there will be hope that some of the big-money additions from the current summer will have more of a positive impact – with Baleba potentially falling into that category.

The Cameroonian international has all the tools to be the perfect ball-winner at the heart of the squad, that’s if he can replicate his stats from the recent campaign at the AMEX.

Baleba, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one analyst, managed to win 2.7 tackles per 90 and make 1.6 interceptions per 90 last season via FBref.

Carlos Baleba’s stats for Brighton in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	34
Goals & assists	4
Pass accuracy	87%
Progressive passes	4.1
Tackles made	2.7
Interceptions made	1.6
Blocks made	1.6
Clearances made	1.5
Take-on success	58%
Stats via FBref

Such numbers could see him add the needed presence in the middle of the park, but he has also showcased he has the tools to provide others with chances around him.

He completed 87% of the passes he attempted in the Premier League throughout 2024/25, 4.1 of which per 90 were progressive – able to give the new additions in the final third the opportunity to succeed.

As seen by the recent reports, it’s clear that the staff behind the scenes rate him highly, subsequently making him the next key target in their overhaul of the squad.

If Baleba can have the success Bruno has endured since his own big-money move to Old Trafford, it would be a deal worth every penny despite the massive transfer fee.

Bigger talent than Baleba: INEOS chasing "phenomenal" £100m CM for Man Utd

Manchester United are making another huge move in the transfer market this summer.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 13, 2025

Kyle Verreynne will return to Nottinghamshire in 2025 and will hope that the first part of his stint ends up being preparation for South Africa’s potential involvement in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.Verreynne, the wicketkeeper-batter, played three games for Notts in the County Championship last year, and scored 248 runs including an unbeaten 148 against Warwickshire which helped to confirm their survival in Division One. He will return to the club next summer, and Notts expect him to be available for 12 out of their 14 Championship fixtures around his international commitments.Those could include the WTC final at Lord’s on June 11, with South Africa well-placed to finish in the top two if they continue their recent form. Verreynne scored an unbeaten 105 on the second day of their ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka after their convincing win last week, and they will complete the 2023-25 cycle with two Tests at home to Pakistan from Boxing Day.Related

• Moises Henriques joins Notts Outlaws for 2025 Vitality Blast

• Nissanka 89 cuts down SL deficit after Verreynne 105*

• Verreynne on 114: 'Definitely the best innings of my career'

• Notts sign Sams for 2025 Vitality Blast

“I thought the competition was of a really good standard,” Verreynne said in a club statement. “When you’ve played international cricket, you still want to be tested at domestic level, so I really enjoyed adapting to English conditions. I know the challenge could be different next year in the early part of the summer, but I’m sure that will be beneficial for me.”I felt really comfortable playing cricket at Trent Bridge last season – it’s an awesome place to play… I was glad to be able to play my part in helping us stay in Division One at the end of the season, but we want to push further forward next season – and the players are definitely there for us to do so.”Peter Moores, Notts’ head coach, said: “Kyle provided an important injection when we needed it last season, bringing all his experience and qualities as an international player. We know conditions will be different in April to the time he spent with us at the end of the season, though his record in Test match cricket shows he has the ability to adapt and still be successful.”Notts announced last month that Australia’s Daniel Sams will be one of their overseas players for the T20 Blast next year.

Harry Kane has defended Thomas Tuchel's England reign after scoring in their 5-0 thrashing of Serbia.

England thump Serbia 5-0Kane says win a "starting point"Responds to "noise" over Tuchel reignFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After an uninspiring World Cup qualifier win over Andorra, many feared the worst heading into a tough game against Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday. But the Three Lions produced the best performance of Tuchel's tenure with a commanding display, in which Kane scored. Now, the Bayern Munich star has had his say on the victory and the "noise" following Tuchel's side.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT KANE SAID

He told ITV: "There’s been a lot of noise around the outside performing like that. We’ve been happy with what we’ve been doing. It’s not been easy against some of the opposition who sit in a block of 11. We have to break it down, we have to be patient. Even the game a few days ago [against Andorra], even though it was only 2-0, we feel like we did a lot of things well. We knew tonight would be a really tough test against better opposition, better players, but we said we want to show what we can do with the high pressure and make it difficult for them. They played a lot of long balls, we recovered well. With the ball, we were electric in moments and made it really difficult."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Tuchel was brought in to finally get England over the line in major tournaments after some near misses with predecessor Gareth Southgate. But recent matches appeared to show the Three Lions were going backwards, not helped by their shock loss to Senegal earlier this year. However, this Serbia win, which makes it six victories from six in this qualifying campaign, could be the springboard they need ahead of next year's World Cup.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Kane and his fellow England stars will return to their respective clubs now before being called back up by Tuchel ahead of next month's friendly fixture at home to Wales, followed by a trip to Lativa in another World Cup qualifier.

If Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat to Milan on Saturday afternoon showcased anything, it’s that the recruitment team are in dire need of signing a central defender.

The reasoning is less about the scoreline but more about the situation Arne Slot’s men find themselves in.

Joe Gomez has flown home from Singapore owing to an injury, which has left Ibou Konate and Virgil Van Dijk as the only fit central defenders.

In fact, Ryan Gravenberch even had to play at centre half on Tuesday.

The obvious incoming would be Marc Guehi. Liverpool have been religiously linked with the Crystal Palace captain right throughout the summer window. A £45m deal could be on the table if Richard Hughes and Steve Parish get talking.

Yet, that’s not where all the excitement is right now. The suspense lies in Alexander Isak’s and Liverpool’s forward line.

What's next for Liverpool in the transfer market

The Reds may have welcomed Hugo Ekitike to Anfield last week, but that hasn’t cooled their interest in Isak.

The Merseysiders are believed to be the frontrunners for the Swede’s signature but would have to make a bid of around £150m before Newcastle United even consider selling their prized asset.

That sort of money could be funded by selling Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez and if they both did depart, another forward feels like they may well be needed.

Real Madrid winger Rodrygo has been linked but that’s not Hughes’ top target according to ESPN.

Indeed, as per Julien Laurens, it’s reported that the club’s sporting director is a huge fan of PSG winger Bradley Barcola.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, it’s unlikely the Champions League winners would be open to selling. That said, just like Isak, every player has their price.

Why Bradley Barcola would be such an exciting signing

Landing Isak this summer would be a remarkable piece of business, something that eclipses the £116m deal to bring Florian Wirtz to England.

Wirtz has become the most expensive player in Premier League history and before too long, Isak looks set to surpass that number.

Many view him as the best striker in the world right now and his haul of 27 goals last term certainly puts him in that bracket.

He’s an electrifying player, someone cut from the same cloth as Thierry Henry, in the words of Eddie Howe.

This isn’t a player Liverpool necessarily need after Ekitike’s arrival but signing someone this good cannot be passed up on. Only Mo Salah scored more than the Newcastle forward last term in the English top-flight.

So, it would take quite the player to be as exciting as Isak but that’s the category Barcola falls into.

The Frenchman proved himself to be “one of the best left wingers in Europe” in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson, certainly last season, and he’s only gone from strength to strength since switching Lyon for Paris.

For Luis Enrique’s men in 2024/25, the Frenchman scored 21 goals and also supplied 21 assists for his teammates.

Bradley Barcola's stats pre-Club World Cup.

For context, that’s two fewer assists than Salah managed across the same campaign, a statistic that illuminates the pairing’s ability to create and score on a regular basis.

Like Salah, Barcola is a duel threat from outside and his dazzling ability to beat players in 1 v 1 situations makes him one of the most exciting players on the continent.

Compared to positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year, the 22-year-old ranks among the very best for a whole host of metrics.

Barcola vs Diaz in 24/25 (league only)

Stat (per 90 mins)

Barcola

Diaz

Goals

0.58

0.49

Assists

0.41

0.19

Shots

3.06

2.66

Key passes

2.07

2.10

Progressive passes

3.97

4.12

Successful take-ons

1.40

1.99

Carries

35.3

29.2

Progressive carries

5.66

4.04

Stats via FBRef.

One of the most creative and progressive wide players around, Barcola would fit seamlessly into this Liverpool team, notably ranking in the top 8% of wingers in Europe for assists, the top 9% for progressive carries and the best 2% for expected goals.

In short, he’s a demon with the ball at his feet and regularly crests goalscoring opportunities not just for teammates but himself.

He also ranks favourably compared to Diaz, the man he’d likely replace, notably in the creative department. While Diaz scored 19 times in all competitions, he only registered eight assists.

Losing the Colombian to Bayern Munich would be a blow, but Barcola is a clear upgrade. Like Wirtz & Isak, he’d be a transformational arrival to Slot’s forward line.

Related Ekitike will love him: Liverpool begin talks to sign £51m Diaz replacement

Liverpool have found an exciting replacement for Luis Diaz, who could leave Anfield this summer.

Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 21, 2025

Derbyshire, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Middlesex, Sussex, Worcestershire, Yorkshire in second tier from 2025

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jul-2024

Kent were named as one of 10 Tier 2 teams for 2025•Kent Cricket/Ian Scammell /Kent Cricket/Ian Scammell

Derbyshire, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Middlesex, Sussex, Worcestershire and Yorkshire will form the second tier of the new domestic women’s competitions in England and Wales from next year.The ten Tier 2 counties will play 50-over and 20-over cricket, with details of the competition structure and schedule for 2025 yet to be announced. Tier 3 status will be awarded to all National Counties who would like to participate in the new competitions at that level from 2025.With all three tiers to be closed from between the 2025 and 2028 seasons, with no promotion or relegation, the ECB also announced on Thursday a knock-out cup competition consisting of teams from all three tiers, giving all counties a chance to compete against each other. It is anticipated that the cup competition will be launched in 2025, alongside the establishment of the three-tiered structure.Related

Top women's teams to play Blast, One Day Cup from 2025

Yorkshire granted women's Tier 1 team from 2026, one year ahead of schedule

PCA tell counties to 'practise what they preach' in new women's system

Durham, Essex big winners as top-flight women's teams are named

Earlier this year, the ECB announced that Durham, Essex, Surrey, Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset and Warwickshire would play in Tier 1 of the new competitions starting in 2025. Yorkshire will become a Tier 1 Club for the 2026 season, subject to meeting a series of conditions, and Glamorgan will join Tier 1 in 2027. The ECB also aims to expand Tier 1 to 12 teams by 2029.Beth Barrett-Wild, director of the women’s professional game, said: “It’s exciting to see the three tiers finalised. It brings the new landscape of women’s professional domestic cricket one step closer. From next summer we will see up to 39 counties competing across the new structure, which will both accommodate the growth and accelerate the depth of the women’s professional game – on and off the field.”We shouldn’t underestimate how big this step is for women’s cricket and indeed the whole game; a thriving and sustainable women’s domestic pyramid underneath the Hundred and England Women, with more professional female players, increased investment, and enhanced alignment across the men’s and women’s game, is a huge step forward for cricket.”Under the plans, £8m in new funding per year will be invested in women’s domestic cricket by 2027 – taking annual investment in this area to about £19m.

After agonising rain delay, defending champions overcome early stumble against Namibia

Valkerie Baynes15-Jun-20241:46

Do England have the bowling attack to win the World Cup?

Watching rain fall doesn’t sound like a nail-biting pastime but for England the hours waiting to start their final group match of this T20 World Cup, against Namibia, were gripping. England’s eventual victory, by 41 runs in a match reduced to 10 overs per side in Antigua on Saturday, was pure relief for the defending champions.No result other than a win would have kept England in contention for the Super Eight phase but they had to get on the park for that. After the toss was delayed by three hours – won by Namibia, who chose to bowl first – they finally had the chance to control their own destiny, to a point. The equation was simple. England had to beat Namibia and then wait to see whether Australia defeated Scotland – which they duly did, though not without a struggle – to ensure England joined the Australians in progressing from Group B.Showers before the scheduled start returned to Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in the form of a torrential downpour just as it looked like the covers would be lifted. England had to hold onto hope of a reduced-overs match despite the rain appearing to have set in. Eventually, play began at 4pm local time, reduced to 11 overs per side, which became 10 when rain intervened once more, albeit briefly, with England 82 for 3 after eight overs.Harry Brook’s unbeaten 47 off 20 balls and Jonny Bairstow’s 31 off 18 steadied them from a perilous 13 for 2, the pair sharing a 56-run stand for the third wicket to help lift their side to 122 for 5. With Namibia chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 126, England’s bowlers didn’t allow them to score fast enough and secured a comfortable victory, after a torturous wait.Namibia’s dream, England’s nightmareDavid Wiese conceded just a solitary run from the first over on an understandably tacky wicket, testing England openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt by varying his lines and lengths. Then Ruben Trumpelmann removed Buttler for a four-ball duck with a wonderful inswinger that crashed into leg stump with the second ball of the next over in a dream start for Namibia. It wasn’t until 10 balls into the match that England scored their first boundary, which became two when Salt lofted wider deliveries from Trumpelmann for four down the ground and over deep third. When Wiese returned for a second over on the trot, he had Salt caught behind off an excellent knuckle ball, delivered slow outside off stump and finding a thick edge to put England in trouble at 13 for 2 inside three overs.Bairstow unleashedLeft-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz came into the attack in the fourth over and in for some Bairstow treatment, reverse-swept for four and muscled over long-on for six next ball. Bairstow skied Gerhard Erasmus’s third ball back over his head and, to England’s relief, the ball plugged in a gap between an advancing long-off, long-on and the bowler running back. He crashed the next through the leg side for four. Brook chimed in with a powerful six over deep midwicket off Jack Brassell and sent the next through point for four to bring up England’s fifty off 34 balls. When Erasmus returned, Bairstow immediately nailed a six over midwicket.Bairstow survived a run-out chance on 31 and hadn’t added to his score when he top-edged an attempted cut off Scholtz towards short cover, where keeper Zane Green collected. Bairstow’s 18-ball knock was his first foray into double figures in three innings at this tournament and his highest score at a T20 World Cup, setting a solid platform after England’s shaky start before more rain arrived to halt play.Brook in on the actAfter such a long wait to learn whether they would get to play again, England’s innings was further reduced to 10 overs when rain caused another 10-minute stoppage, by which time Brook and Moeen Ali were left with twelve balls to set an imposing target. They took 19 runs off Brassell in the penultimate over, 18 of them to Brook, who finished with 4,6,4 to take England past the 100 mark. Moeen fell for 16 off six balls but Liam Livingstone blasted the first two balls he faced from Trumpelmann for six before he was run out on the last ball of the innings and left the field clutching his side in some discomfort. Ben Duckett’s appearance as substitute fielder in his place raised further concerns over Livingstone’s fitness.Davin makes way for WieseReece Topley conceded only two runs off the opening over of Namibia’s pursuit, one of them a front-foot no-ball on the first delivery of the innings. England’s bowlers were keeping a lid on Namibia’s scoring and, needing 83 more off the last four overs, Nikolaas Davin retired out on 18 off 16, the first player to do so at an ICC event, making way for the vastly experienced Wiese. He clubbed the first ball he faced – off Sam Curran, making his first appearance at this World Cup – for four through backward point. Wiese proceeded to smash back-to-back sixes off Adil Rashid over long-off and deep midwicket then pierced the covers for four.But they needed 55 off the last two overs and Michael van Lingen holed out to Brook off Chris Jordan, brought into the side for Mark Wood on the strength of his death bowling, on the final ball of the ninth. When Jofra Archer removed Wiese, again via a Brook catch in the deep in the final over, the 39-year-old walked off amid handshakes from several England players, a fitting international farewell in his last game for Namibia, the nation he transferred his allegiance to in 2021 after 26 matches for South Africa.

Since leaving Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United side, Marcus Rashford and Antony have played important roles for high-performing sides on the European scene.

Rashford hasn’t been at his rip-roaring best with Aston Villa, but the game-changing winger has still played his part for a side that sit on the cusp of a return to the Champions League, victory at Old Trafford this afternoon standing in his way. He’s scored four goals and provided six assists from 17 games for the Villans.

At Real Betis, Antony looks not like a man reborn but a different player altogether. The right-sided forward became something of a whipping boy for his struggles at the Theatre of Dreams after joining from Ajax in an £86m deal, but has hit nine goals and five assists since moving to Spain in January.

However, these aren’t the only former Red Devils, those having toiled in existing memory at Old Trafford, who have been remade elsewhere, with Scott McTominay forging an incredible campaign for himself over in Italy.

Scott McTominay's Serie A season

Less than a year after leaving Man United and joining Napoli in a £25m deal, McTominay has won the Scudetto and been crowned the Serie A MVP.

It’s been quite the year for the Scotland international, who has long played the bit part at Old Trafford but has been reborn as a bona fide superstar in Naples, the architect of their second league title in three years.

Scott McTominay – Past Six Seasons (league stats)
Season	Apps (starts)	Goals	Assists
24/25 – Napoli	34 (33)	12	6
23/24 – Man Utd	32 (18)	7	1
22/23 – Man Utd	24 (10)	1	0
21/22 – Man Utd	30 (28)	1	1
20/21 – Man Utd	32 (24)	4	1
19/20 – Man Utd	27 (20)	4	1
Stats via Transfermarkt

The 28-year-old never quite brought it all together in the Premier League, but he’s channelled his innate goalscoring ability and reinforced his underlying metrics, averaging 6.1 successful duels and 4.2 ball recoveries per game, as per Sofascore.

It’s exactly the type of midfield robustness that has been lacking for the Red Devils this term, and McTominay’s success will not have been lost on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

However, he’s not the only former Manchester United star performing under Antonio Conte’s wing right now, and you could stake an argument for Romelu Lukaku having been even better than his Scottish teammate.

Romelu Lukaku has been outrageously good

Lukaku first moved to Italian football in August 2019, signing for Inter Milan in a deal worth £74m, leaving Man United.

He didn’t have a terrible spell at Old Trafford by any stretch, but the 32-year-old, then 25, failed to capture the magic of his time with Everton, who the Glazers paid an initial £75m (rising to £90m), two years earlier.

Scoring 42 goals and adding 15 more assists across 96 matches, Lukaku made inroads in his first year but struggled across the 2018/19 season, only bagging 15 goals from 45 fixtures in all competitions.

He’s been something of a nomad across his storied career, but who can say Lukaku hasn’t left an indelible mark on so many of his clubs?

Now, Napoli have been added to that list, with the number nine’s return of 14 goals and ten assists across the league campaign proving instrumental in the title-winning success. This means that he produced more goals and more assists than the Scottish midfielder, which is why he was even more influential and even better for the Italian outfit.

Football writer Muhammad Butt even took the time to draw praise to Lukaku amid the effusions directed McTominay’s way, hailing the “outrageously good” Belgian for his talismanic role across the campaign, bagging his second Serie A title after winning the 2020/21 edition with Inter Milan.

His goal against Cagliari on Friday night, following McTominay’s acrobatic opener, was certainly ‘outrageous’, and a reminder that he’s not just a poacher.

Here is one of the finest centre-forwards of his generation, and he underscored his legacy with a stunning season under Conte’s wing, a manager who has fallen in love with the nine and sought to make use of his talents across a number of different environments.

McTominay might have won the MVP, but Lukaku will no doubt feel that his prolific season may have warranted the vote angling his way. Ah well, the title will soften that so-called blow.

Not just Garnacho: Amorim must sell Man Utd dud who's a "serious problem"

Manchester United are in need of a serious overhaul this summer, with numerous players needing to be sold.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

May 24, 2025

On Sunday, Arsenal defeated Newcastle United 1-0, and after the game, with it being their final home match of 2024/25, it gave the supporters a chance to say farewell to some players who are unlikely to be seen again in red and white.

Kieran Tierney will bow out of the Emirates Stadium, set to head back to Celtic, after a haul of 143 appearances for the north Londoners.

Jorginho, too, will depart at the end of his contract. While he perhaps won’t be remembered as fondly as Tierney, his ultimate professionalism across the two years he’s been at Arsenal has been a joy to behold.

It will be sad to see them go, but it certainly wasn’t as emotional as some farewells we’ve given in the modern era.

Arsene Wenger’s exit in 2018 will go down in history, while it’s hard to forget the tears a certain Aaron Ramsey shed when leaving under Unai Emery in 2019.

Since his exit, Arsenal haven’t had too many goalscoring midfielders. That said, they may well have found one now.

What made Aaron Ramsey so special

A winner of three FA Cups, a scorer of two cup final goals at Wembley, Ramsey will forever be remembered in these parts as a big game player, an icon who overcame so much adversity.

The way he entered the club rather set the tone for his dramatic time in the English capital. Manchester United had announced he was set to sign for them on their official website, only for the Welshman to pen terms with Arsenal instead.

Signed from Cardiff, it didn’t take Ramsey long to make an impression, but that horrific leg break against Stoke in February 2010 was a colossal setback.

After several months out, the Wales international fortunately went on to have a wonderful career in the game.

Who can forget that remarkable season in 2013/14? Ramsey scored the winner in extra time of the FA Cup final against Hull City, one of 16 goals in just 34 outings throughout the campaign.

A true box-to-box star, the Wales international became a master of arriving late in the penalty area and scoring from midfield.

Since then, however, Arsenal haven’t had too many players capable of finding the net from similar zones, ghosting into the area.

Perhaps the last was Granit Xhaka. In the Swiss’ final year with the Gunners, he scored on nine occasions and registered a further seven assists in 47 matches.

So, how have Arsenal gone about replacing the dynamic duo?

Arsenal's new Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey

The form of Martin Odegaard a few years ago certainly suggested he could replace the pair. Indeed, during 2022/23, no midfielder scored more than the Norwegian’s 15 in the Premier League.

That being said, he isn’t a box-to-box midfielder. He presses hard, but he doesn’t do the dirty work further back in the field.

Instead, Mikel Arteta’s modern-day answer to Ramsey and Xhaka is a certain Declan Rice. Oh, where would the Gunners be without him this season?

Of course, you’ve got those two remarkable free-kicks against Real Madrid, but he’s also come up with some vital moments elsewhere.

He’s not just a master of free-kicks, but his corner delivery has been one of the best in Europe this season. We salute Nicolas Jover for putting the former West Ham man on set-pieces towards the back end of last season.

Funnily enough, Rice initially signed as a defensive midfielder but throughout 2024/25, he’s been largely selected as the left-sided 8 and it’s a position he’s made his own.

2021/22

50

5

4

2022/23

50

5

4

2023/24

51

7

10

2024/25

51

9

10

The difference was felt in the first leg of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final tie with PSG. The £240k-per-week earner had destroyed Madrid across both legs from a more advanced role in midfield but due to Thomas Partey’s suspension, he had to play further back.

While Rice is certainly excellent at sitting in front of the defence, Arsenal couldn’t get up the pitch as quickly and they also lost one of their goal threats. That perhaps explains why the club reportedly want to bring in Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi this summer. More of a Jorginho type, the Spaniard would give Rice the keys to make that no.8 spot his permanent position in the team.

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So, why has he thrived so much? Well, like Xhaka, he’s got a terrific engine and his technique is first-class.

Meanwhile, like Ramsey, he’s becoming rather good at arriving late in the area or on the edge of the box to score a goal. In the words of Arsenal writer Connor Humm, he is a true “monster.”

We saw that first-hand against Newcastle on Sunday. Odegaard found the ball on the right-hand side and laid it into the path of Rice, who was ready and waiting on the edge of the penalty area to fizz the ball past Nick Pope.

That was the £105m signing’s ninth strike of the campaign, one that equalled Xhaka’s haul of two years ago. It also marked Rice’s best-ever goalscoring return in a single season. Not bad at all.

When Arsenal’s Player of the Season is announced in the forthcoming weeks, there are surely only two candidates: Gabriel and Rice. For that magical night against Madrid alone, Rice is our man.

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