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Those of a Celtic persuasion are in mutinous mood right now, and rightly so, having been forced to witness a calamitous summer of transfer activity.

An unbeaten start to the new domestic season has also been overshadowed by last month’s grim Champions League exit, with the failure to properly enhance Brendan Rodgers’ ranks leading up to that tie having undoubtedly backfired.

In the Premiership, away from the chaos, things appear to have gone a little bit stale, with the current crop producing displays that are a far cry from the scintillating style of the glorious Ange Postecoglou era.

The recent drab Glasgow derby was an obvious case in point, with that 0-0 stalemate at odds with Postecoglou’s outfit at their pomp. Just look back to such performances as the 3-0 win over the Ibrox side in February 2022.

Parkhead was at its buoyant best that night, and the football was simply stunning, with the men in green and white almost playing a different game to their beleaguered opponents.

That magic, that ferocious approach, has since been lost.

From plucking bargains from afar under the Aussie, the Hoops have resorted to paying over the odds during the Rodgers regime, with far too many transfer dealings having gone south of late.

Celtic's recruitment record post-Ange

As noted by former Celtic skipper Scott Brown, the club’s recruitment record under Postecoglou was simply “fantastic”, with the experienced coach simply a master at acquiring a hidden gem on the cheap.

Take Matt O’Riley, a player signed for just £1.5m from EFL side MK Dons back in January 2022, before ultimately being sold to Brighton and Hove Albion on a £25m deal in the summer of 2024 – marking a sensational profit.

Such success stories have been few and far between since then, however, with the 2023 summer window proving particularly disastrous. Indeed, of those signed amid Rodgers’ return, only Paulo Bernardo and Hyun-jun Yang are still at the club – albeit with even the Korean having come close to departing for Birmingham City before the recent deadline.

The likes of Gustav Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki, Luis Palma and Marco Tilio have all come and gone without so much as leaving a trace, having looked destined to fail from the off amid their limited roles under Rodgers.

While it is too early to judge this summer’s transfer dealings, the recruitment of 12 months ago is also worthy of scrutiny. Adam Idah, for instance, has already been shipped off to Swansea City, while Arne Engels – signed for £11m – has yet to truly establish himself as a regular starter in Glasgow.

Described as “nowhere near the finished article” by his manager, the young Belgian appears to be burdened by such a lofty price tag, with that expensive outlay a constant source of debate among supporters and pundits alike.

The 22-year-old may well still come good, although the race is on to live up to the weight of his transfer fee.

Market Movers

Would the Hoops not have been better off seeking out a bargain instead, in the mould of say Reo Hatate?

How Hatate's value compares to Arne Engels

Reflecting back on that night in the winter of 2022, the rout of Rangers proved a breakout moment for that man Hatate, with the Japanese genius netting two stunning efforts to properly announce himself to the Parkhead faithful.

As per reporter Michael Bridges, Hatate and his compatriots simply “ripped the league to shreds” following their arrival.

Having been signed from Kawasaki Frontale just a few weeks prior, the all-action midfielder quickly made a mockery of his meagre £1.1m price tag, having been a mainstay under both Postecoglou and Rodgers since then.

After chalking up 13 goals and 14 assists in 66 games under the new Nottingham Forest boss, as per Transfermarkt, Hatate has enjoyed a rather similar record under his successor, with 15 goals and 14 assists under his belt from 81 outings.

While Rodgers did hint at the 27-year-old’s “inconsistency” during their first year working together, he did go on to flourish last term, having also got off the mark in 2025/26 with an outrageous effort away at Aberdeen.

That thumping strike emphasises just why the diminutive playmaker is such a “big talent” – in the words of Rodgers – with his overall record of 56 goal involvements in 147 games in all competitions ensuring he has more than made his mark in Glasgow.

Such a stellar impact can also be felt when considering his soaring market value, with Hatate deemed to be worth as much as €13m (£11m), according to Transfermarkt. For comparison, Engels’ value is now said to be around €12m (£10m).

The subject of interest from Serie A side Udinese back in May, before ultimately staying put at Celtic, the 11-cap international looks like a player who will soon rake in a sizeable profit for the club, should he move on in the near future.

In the meantime, however, the hope will be that Hatate can play a central role in trying to revive this limp season for Rodgers and co, with the Hoops in very real danger of merely letting things drift.

Celtic may have their biggest talent since Doak in "lightning" 19-year-old

While Ben Doak continues to shine away from Celtic, the Hoops could have their own rising star to enjoy

By
Robbie Walls

Sep 9, 2025

Real Madrid are facing fresh injury concerns ahead of El Clasico as Dean Huijsen’s fitness remains in doubt. The 20-year-old centre-back, who suffered a micro-tear in his left soleus muscle against Villarreal, is racing against time to recover before the high-stakes clash with Barcelona. With key defenders like Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold also sidelined, Madrid’s backline faces a major test in the coming weeks.

• Growing concern around Huijsen's injury ahead of El Clasico

  Madrid are hopeful yet cautious as Huijsen fights to return in time for El Clasico. Though the calendar shows 10 days to go, the club's optimism is mixed with anxiety. The Spaniard picked up a micro-tear in his left soleus muscle during the clash against Villarreal, where he completed the match despite discomfort. What was initially seen as a minor overload turned out to require a two-week recovery period. The defender left Spain’s national camp and began intensive rehab under Madrid’s medical team. He has since spent long hours at the training base, combining gym work with physiotherapy, while also taking short breaks in Malaga to stay mentally fresh, according to . The goal remains clear: to be fit in time for Barcelona.

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  Huijsen in race against time

  Huijsen’s injury was expected to sideline him for 12–15 days, meaning a return just before the showdown against Barcelona. However, his progress has been slower than previously hoped and this has already ruled out of the upcoming league clash against Getafe. The medical staff remain cautious, aware that soleus injuries are notoriously tricky and prone to relapse. Any miscalculation could set the defender back weeks further complicating Real’s already stretched defence.

  Madrid’s plan B is clear with Raul Asencio being the leading alternative, currently ahead of David Alaba in the pecking order. Coach Xabi Alonso could also reshuffle, moving Ferland Mendy to full-back and shifting Alvaro Carreras into the centre, though that scenario seems unlikely. The ideal pairing remains Eder Militao and Huijsen, provided the youngster proves his full fitness in time.

• Madrid’s defensive dilemma

  Huijsen’s absence compounds Madrid’s wider injury troubles. Club captain Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold are both recovering from muscle injuries, while Militao is only just returning from a long ACL layoff. Carvajal, who suffered a thigh strain at the Metropolitano, is expected to return around the same time as Huijsen, while Trent continues light training but isn’t yet match-fit.

  If both miss the Clasico, Federico Valverde is likely to fill in as a makeshift right-back, a role he has handled impressively earlier this season, providing both defensive stability and attacking width.

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  Madrid hopes to retain top spot in La Liga

  With Barcelona just behind Los Blancos in the league and Madrid’s defensive depth being tested, Huijsen’s recovery has become a central storyline heading into the Clasico. The young defender has shown promise since breaking into the first team, earning praise for his composure and aerial strength. His potential absence could force tactical reshuffles, testing Madrid’s resilience. However, Madrid’s medical team are wary of rushing any player back, particularly with Champions League fixtures against Juventus and Liverpool looming.

Bournemouth’s stunning rise this season could have taken a very different turn if they had accepted blockbuster bids for in-form star Antoine Semenyo. It has been reported that the Cherries rejected £50 million ($66.5m) offers from both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur for Semenyo in January — a bold call that has since proven to be one of the club’s best decisions in recent memory.

• Expand on the teaser text

  Telegraph Sport has revealed that Bournemouth turned down £50 million bids from Manchester United and Tottenham at the start of the January transfer window for Semenyo. Both Premier League giants made formal approaches for the Ghanaian forward, only to be rebuffed almost immediately by the south-coast club. The decision was driven by Bournemouth’s firm stance that Semenyo was a key part of their long-term plans under head coach Andoni Iraola.

  The Cherries were not tempted to engage in negotiations despite the financial incentive. Having already identified who they were willing to sell earlier in the window, Bournemouth made it clear that their attacking talisman was “off limits.” In hindsight, their conviction has been rewarded, as Semenyo’s continued rise has become a cornerstone of their best-ever Premier League start.

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  Dark horses

  The Semenyo saga was emblematic of Bournemouth’s strategic and disciplined approach to the transfer market. Despite selling over £200 million worth of players in the summer — including their goalkeeper and most of their defensive core — the club’s hierarchy operated with a clear plan. They prioritised stability and continuity in key positions, ensuring that any departures were offset by smart recruitment and internal development.

  This deliberate structure has been crucial to their rise under Iraola. The Spaniard’s high-energy, transition-based system relies heavily on wide forwards like Semenyo to stretch defences and dictate tempo and the result has been remarkable.

  After eight games of the new season, Bournemouth sit fifth in the Premier League table with 15 points — their strongest ever start at this level. Far from the relegation battle many predicted, Iraola’s men have emerged as one of the league’s most cohesive and tactically disciplined sides.

• Semenyo's development

  Semenyo’s form this season has justified every ounce of Bournemouth’s faith in him. The 25-year-old winger has been the best player in the Premier League alongside Erling Haaland, scoring six goals and providing three assists in just eight matches. His pace, power, and increasingly refined end product have made him indispensable to Iraola’s setup — and have turned him into one of the most sought-after players outside England’s traditional “big six.”

  The former Bristol City forward enjoyed a strong 2024–25 campaign, scoring 13 goals and registering seven assists across 42 appearances across all competitions. But this year, he has elevated his game to another level, becoming the focal point of Bournemouth’s attack and a constant threat to opposing defences. His performances even earned him the PFA Premier League Fans’ Player of the Month award for September 2025.

  Unsurprisingly, that form has reignited transfer interest from some of Europe’s top clubs. Reports suggest Bournemouth would now demand upwards of £75 million ($100m) to even consider a sale, with Chelsea, Liverpool, and several continental heavyweights monitoring his progress. For now, though, the Cherries are determined to hold on to their star forward at least until next summer.

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  What comes next?

   For Bournemouth, the challenge is to build on their early-season momentum while resisting renewed January approaches for their top performers. The club’s hierarchy has made its stance clear: Semenyo will not be sold midway through the campaign, and their focus remains firmly on securing a top-half finish or even challenging for European football.

  Iraola’s side will continue to rely on the Ghanaian’s influence in the final third, where his dynamism and direct play have been instrumental to their high-tempo identity. Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s success story — blending strategic transfer decisions with on-field consistency — continues to serve as a model for sustainable growth in the Premier League.

  Speaking about Semenyo, Iraola said: “I think Antoine is someone who accepts well our criticisms. If, you know, we always tell him, you need to improve this. You need to improve. You cannot stop here. Not focus in your numbers. Try to help us in other ways. Even in set pieces.

  “The other day, Eli Junior Kroupi scored, but he's the first one. I don't know if he touches the ball, but the first one to flick it or to arrive to those positions. He's adding aerial power to his game.

  “That is always nice. Defensively, he's honest and disciplined and this improves a lot the package. It's not just what people see on the highlights, it's a lot more. I hope he can continue building like this.

  “I think he can get better. Yes. I think there are areas that he knows he has to improve and he's improving and I think all the players can get better. But Antoine, yes, definitely.”

Nottingham Forest have made a frustrating start to life under Ange Postecoglou, albeit they will feel hard done by after a controversial defeat to Sunderland on Saturday evening.

Nottingham Forest lose out in tight contest with Sunderland

Balancing commitments domestically and in the Europa League, the Tricky Trees found themselves on the end of a narrow loss to Sunderland at the City Ground on Saturday courtesy of Omar Alderete’s first-half winner.

Admittedly, Nottingham Forest were the dominant side against the Black Cats and created far more on the day. However, Postecoglou has been left with plenty to ponder after making it five games without a win since taking charge.

Hovering just above the relegation slots in the Premier League, the Australian boss made it clear that his side are on the right trajectory despite losing out on a frustrating day in the East Midlands.

He told BBC Sport: “It was one of those evenings where we should’ve got the outcome we wanted. We had enough chances to certainly win the game.

“We conceded a really poor goal, albeit from a poor decision from the official, but after that we had enough chances to win the game. We are in a cycle at the moment where we are getting every outcome out of the game except the win – and that is the most important thing.”

While Nottingham Forest are producing encouraging signs, football is ultimately about winning and supporters will feel that points are an infinitely better outcome than performance, albeit the latter may suggest their long-term future under Postecoglou is looking bright.

Even with that in mind, it would be remiss not to delve into some of the refereeing controversies on show at the City Ground, something that individuals within their camp feel contributed to their defeat.

Neco Williams fumes at officials as Sunderland defeat Nottingham Forest

Speaking after the match on Sky Sports, Neco Williams made it clear that he feels Sunderland’s goal should’ve been ruled out for two reasons, claiming the Black Cats were awarded an unjust free-kick and that he was fouled in the build-up to Alderete’s decisive effort.

The £65,000-a-week full-back also made clear that he has ‘never seen’ such a decision made to award a free-kick during his career, indicating how furious he was at the controversial indicent.

He stated, cited via BBC Sport: “It’s a tough one to take. It was a game where we just didn’t finish off our chances. We created many chances but just couldn’t put it to bed.

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One Nottingham Forest star found himself at the centre of Stan Collymore’s praise.

By
Tom Cunningham

Sep 25, 2025

“We should have defended the free-kick better but, at the same time, I’ve never seen a referee give one of those free-kicks before in all my time of playing football.

“There was contact, so he got it wrong, and for the goal I was held back. He had two arms around my waist and that played a key factor in their goal. It is two poor decisions, especially by the referee and then the people on VAR.”

In truth, the Welsh international may have a point as he was visibly tugged back in an attempt to stop the ball, albeit supporters will never know if he would’ve covered the ground needed to intercept the situation at hand.

Either way, Nottingham Forest will rue missing a whole host of missed chances, which is something they will hope to use as fuel for their upcoming Europa League encounter against FC Midtjylland on Thursday.

Thomas Tuchel insists there is no problem with Jude Bellingham but warned nobody is guaranteed a place in the England squad after taking the eye-catching decision to omit the Real Madrid star.

England squad announced for Wales and Latvia matches

The back-to-back Euros runners-up face Wales in a Wembley friendly next Thursday before continuing World Cup qualification away to Latvia on Tuesday.

Bellingham missed September’s camp after undergoing shoulder surgery and has since played four matches for Real Madrid, yet there was no place in Tuchel’s 24-man squad for October’s doubleheader.

Phil Foden and Jack Grealish were others overlooked for a call-up, but the 22-year-old was the headline omission two days on from being crowned 2024-25 England men’s senior player of the year.

“I understand your focus on Jude of course,” Tuchel said of a player he would later say is one of the world’s best midfielders and makes his side stronger.

“First of all, he is a very special player and for special players there can always be special rules. I get this.

“But for this camp we decided that we stick with our straightforward decision to invite the same team. That applies also then for Jude. He deserves always to be in camp.

“I think there is an extra layer on top of it, the situation that he has not gathered full rhythm yet at Real Madrid.

“He is back in the team. He hasn’t finished one full match until now. He has only started one match, so he is at the moment in the period where he gets his rhythm, where he gets back to full strength.

“There is this extra layer into the decision, but the decision stayed for this camp.”

Asked if Bellingham was fit enough to be called up, Tuchel said: “Yes, and he wanted to be called up. We had a phone call. There was no issue from that side, he just lacks rhythm.

“He hasn’t finished one complete match, like I said, and on top of it we stayed with our decision to go with the same squad.”

Tuchel has not worked with Bellingham since the England boss apologised for saying in a June interview that his mother finds some of the midfielder’s on-field antics “repulsive”.

The German coach also stressed how good the mood was in the September meet-up, leading the manager to say that “one has nothing to do with the other”.

No problem between me and Bellingham, says Tuchel

Put to Tuchel that some people would think is there a problem between him Bellingham, he said: “No.

“There is also no problem between me and Phil Foden, there is no problem between me and Jack Grealish. Very special players. Phil is back to influencing games, deciding games for Manchester City. Jack is very close to being the best version of himself – a very special player, a very special character.

“There is no problem at all and there is no personal problem in the nomination.”

Bukayo Saka is the only fresh face in October’s squad, replacing injured Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke. Tino Livramento also drops out with a knee injury of his own.

Tuchel insists players have the chance to get back in the squad and acknowledges there are “players out who deserve to be with us”.

He added: “100 per cent there are no guarantees. If we say the competition is on, then the competition is on.

“We cannot say that like for 80 per cent of the squad the competition is on but for 20 per cent it is not on. It’s on. The competition is on. The team did very, very well and deserve to be in camp again.”

Wolves’ turbulent season hit another twist after Vitor Pereira’s sacking, with reports linking Sporting Lisbon boss Rui Borges to Molineux. The Portuguese tactician has firmly rejected the move. With Wolves winless after 10 games and bottom of the Premier League, Borges’ refusal underscores the club’s deepening crisis and Sporting’s determination to stay focused on their title defence.

• Wolves in crisis after winless start in the Premier League

  Wolves' dismal Premier League campaign has reached breaking point. The club sits 20th with just two points from ten matches, the worst start in their Premier League history and the first time a side has gone winless in their opening ten games for two consecutive seasons. Pereira, who took charge in December 2024, was shown the door after Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Fulham, marking Wolves’ eighth loss of the season.

  Under Pereira, Wolves endured a dramatic fall from grace. His debut season ended with a six-game winning streak and survival in 16th place, earning him a Manager of the Season nomination. But the optimism evaporated this term with Wolves scoring just five goals and conceding 26, the weakest attack and defence in the league. Pereira’s exit, along with his entire backroom staff, came just 45 days after signing a three-year extension.

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  Sporting manager Rui Borges says “no” to Wolves

  According to Notícias ao Minuto, Wolves reportedly approached Sporting Lisbon manager Borges. But the 42-year-old swiftly ruled out any Molineux move, insisting his focus remains on Sporting’s Primeira Liga title defence and their Champions League clash against Juventus next week.

  Sporting officials, confirmed Borges’ commitment to the club, where he has a contract until 2027 with a €20 million buyout clause. His refusal doesn’t come as a surprise as Sporting are second in the league with 25 points from 10 matches, just three behind Porto, and Borges is chasing a third consecutive league title.

  Since arriving in December 2024, Borges has transformed Sporting with disciplined defensive tactics and player development. Last season, his side registered 28 wins from 43 matches, scoring 67 goals and conceding only 32. His success in domestic and European competitions, including an promising Conference League run, has elevated his reputation, making Wolves’ interest logical but ultimately futile.

• Inside Borges' rise as a coach

  Borges’ story has been one of steady rise through Portugal’s football pyramid. Since beginning his coaching career in 2017, he’s managed over 325 games with a total of 162 wins, 81 draws, and 82 losses. His stints at clubs like Vitoria de Guimaraes with 18 wins, seven draws, five losses in 30 games and Moreirense with 16 wins, eight draws, and 12 losses in 36 games demonstrated his tactical discipline, with teams known for compact defences and structured transitions.

  At Sporting, Borges’ methods have drawn comparisons to his predecessor Ruben Amorim. His 4-4-2 formation emphasises positional structure and calculated counter-attacks, while fostering growth in young talents like Manu Silva and Bruno Gaspar. His analytical approach and reputation for player development make him one of Europe’s most coveted names – but unlike many peers, Borges remains deeply committed to Portugal’s football project.

  For Wolves, missing out on Borges reflects a growing challenge which is attracting top-tier coaching talent amid instability. With the club’s recruitment misfires and limited budget under scrutiny, the gap between their ambitions and reality is widening.

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  Who can be Wolves next manager?

  With Borges out of the running, Wolves’ search for a new head coach intensifies. Gary O’Neil, sacked less than a year ago, has emerged as a shock candidate for return who is still admired by owners Fosun International for his man-management and survival instincts. Other names in contention include Brendan Rodgers, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Erik ten Hag, while Championship boss Rob Edwards and Steven Gerrard are also reportedly on the shortlist.

  The club’s next appointment could define their season. Wolves are eight points adrift of safety, and their upcoming fixtures against Burnley and Bournemouth may determine whether they can salvage survival hopes before Christmas. The rejection from Borges is a reality check for a side once known for its ambitious, Portuguese-driven project.

Manchester City proved far too strong for Borussia Dortmund in a commanding 4-1 Champions League win at the Etihad, with Erling Haaland once again scoring against his former club. Phil Foden’s brace drove Pep Guardiola’s side to a dominant victory, forcing Dortmund coach Niko Kovac and key players to acknowledge they are "not yet at that level".

• Man City outclass Dortmund at the Etihad

  City extended their formidable Champions League home form with a convincing 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, handing the German side their first defeat in the competition. The English star Foden opened the scoring after 22 minutes before the Norwegian hero Haaland, captaining City for the night, once again punished his former club with a clinical finish for 2-0 at the end of the first half.

  City controlled large portions of the match with their trademark tempo and positional play, leaving Dortmund frequently pinned deep and struggling to regain composure. Foden struck again early in the second half, capping another sweeping attacking phase to make it 3-0, before Waldemar Anton pulled one back for Dortmund in the 72nd minute. Any hope of a late push evaporated when Rayan Cherki restored City's three-goal cushion in stoppage time.

  It was a performance that not only highlighted City’s depth and structure, but also showed the gulf between a side pushing for European glory and a Dortmund team still trying to establish consistency under Kovac.

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  Kovac and Co. admit city 'outplayed' Dortmund

  Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck spoke bluntly about the defeat, telling : “We played well for the first 15 minutes, then we let City control the game for 20 minutes. They practically outplayed us at times. We deserved to lose because we simply weren't good enough.”

  Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel added that Dortmund started brightly but faded too quickly, saying: “I had the feeling there was a dip in our performance before the 1-0 goal. But I don't understand why. Up until then, we were playing really well… I think four goals in the end is too many.”

  While their boss Kovac did not sugarcoat the result either, and heaped a lot of praises for the Premier League club: “We’re certainly a very good team in the Bundesliga and we reached the Champions League quarterfinals. But you have to say and acknowledge that this is a world-class team. We're not yet at that level, that has to be said. That's not a bad thing, because we have to be honest. We want to get there. To achieve that, we have to improve and work every day.”

• Foden’s influence and Haaland’s familiar finishing

  City’s attacking dominance again revolved around Foden’s intelligence between the lines and Haaland’s clinical finishing. Foden is increasingly becoming the rhythm-setter for Guardiola’s system, drifting centrally to overwhelm Dortmund’s midfield shape. His two goals reflected both his composure and City’s ability to exploit space once control was established.

  Haaland, meanwhile, once again proved decisive against his old club, and with his goal, the 18th of his season in all competitions only highlighted how relentless his scoring form remains.

  Kovac also pointed to City's sharper passing, more fluid movement and greater collective discipline as the key differences: "We didn't create the chances we would have liked. Then we were simply too passive, conceding three goals from outside the penalty area. A deserved defeat. You could see the difference. City's passing was much cleaner than ours. Against teams like this, you have to defend better."

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  City strengthen European push as Dortmund regroup

  As Guardiola prepares his side for a crucial Premier League meeting with Liverpool next, the victory reinforced City’s return to fluency and sharpness in possession, traits that define their best phases under the Catalan manager.

  City are now fourth in the Champions League table and looking increasingly like the title contenders of recent seasons.

  Dortmund, meanwhile, must respond quickly to avoid stalling, as their next challenge comes in the Bundesliga against Hamburg, where the objective will be both physical recovery and restoring confidence. The defeat at the Etihad revealed areas Dortmund must address, defensive compactness, midfield resistance under pressure, and the capacity to maintain intensity across 90 minutes.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw had a knee and foot surgery on Wednesday, he posted on Instagram, and now he's gearing up for the recovery process.

The now-two-time World Series champion seems positive regarding his 2025 availability just one day after the surgeries. He's ready to help out his Dodgers make an attempt at winning back-to-back World Series titles.

Kershaw will turn 37 years old in March, leading many MLB fans to wonder if he would retire in the offseason and go out on top with another title. But, it sounds like the three-time Cy Young Award winning fully plans on returning to the Dodgers next season.

"Planning to crush some rehab and be good as can be come next year," Kershaw wrote in his announcement.

Kershaw's current contract has an option for 2025 worth $10 million. It would be his 18th season with Los Angeles.

The 10-time All-Star only competed in seven games during the 2024 season. He missed the beginning of the season as he was recovering from an offseason shoulder surgery. Then, he was shut down for the remainder of the season after he injured his toe on Aug. 31. Kershaw didn't pitch in any of his team's postseason games on their journey to the World Series title.

It is hard not to feel a little bit sorry for Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke after his side’s lack of potency in the final third cost them against Burnley on Saturday.

The Championship champions were beaten 2-0 at Turf Moor by their fellow newly-promoted side after a two-week break for international duty, but it was far from a comfortable win for the home team.

As you can see in the table above, Leeds created 2.63 xG worth of chances and four ‘big chances’ to find the back of the net against Burnley, and they were unable to score a single goal.

Brenden Aaronson and Jayden Bogle, in particular, missed two very presentable opportunities to score, whilst Jack Harrison also blazed a good opening well over the bar.

Reporter Graham Smyth noted after deadline day that the club did not give Farke the attacking signings that he wanted in the transfer window, and the lack of quality in the final third is now costing the team.

On the flip side of that, though, the club did make plenty of defensive signings to bolster the squad, and the head coach picked Pascal Struijk in spite of his recent struggles.

Why Leeds should drop Pascal Struijk

Ahead of the trip to Burnley, Football FanCast suggested that the Dutch central defender should be on borrowed time if he flops against the Clarets, because of his form of late.

He was too easily beaten for both of the goals against Tottenham Hotspur in the last match before the break, as he gave Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus too much time and space to get their shots off.

Leeds paid £15m to sign Jaka Bijol from Udinese in the summer, seemingly to improve their defence, yet he has been an unused substitute in every single Premier League match this season.

As you can see in the table above, Bijol’s performances in the Serie A last season suggest that he would be a defensive upgrade on Struijk for the Whites.

The £50k-per-week Dutch defender seemed to get caught under the flight of the ball for the first goal, with a lack of communication between him and Joe Rodon, which gave Burnley a lead to hold on to.

Struijk’s aerial struggles were a theme throughout the 90 minutes on Saturday. Per Sofascore, the left-footed dud won just seven of his 13 aerial contests, which shows that he was too easily beaten in the air, something Bijol’s stats suggest he would not be.

This is why Farke should drop the Dutchman for the former Udinese colossus when West Ham United come to Elland Road in the next match.

Chalkboard

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

Struijk is not the only player who should be dropped from the starting line-up because of their performance against Burnley, though, as Karl Darlow should also be removed from the side.

Why Leeds should drop Karl Darlow

The Wales international should finally be dropped from the team because of a string of shot-stopping performances that have not been up to the level of the Premier League.

There was not much that he could have done to save the header for the opening goal, but it was his misplaced kick that went straight out of play that Burnley created the cross for the goal from.

The second strike from Loum Tchaouna was an absolute screamer, at first glance. It was an impressive hit, there is no doubt about that, but on further inspection, Darlow could have done better. The ball went into the net roughly two yards inside the post but the goalkeeper could not move his feet to stretch and get his hand to it.

He was even worse than Struijk, who at least won five of his six ground duels and made four clearances (Sofascore), and should be in danger of losing his place in the side.

Per Sofascore, Darlow has conceded 2.69 more goals than expected across five appearances in the Premier League this season, which shows that he has significantly underperformed as a shot-stopper for the Whites.

The Welshman did put in an impressive display against Wolves, as shown in the clips above, but he has struggled in the matches since that win in the Midlands.

Former England, Norwich, and Southampton goalkeeper coach Dave Watson criticised Darlow’s performance against Spurs before the international break and suggested that he is “never going to push on” to help Leeds stay in the division, comparing his performance to Guglielmo Vicario’s.

Unfortunately for Darlow, Lucas Perri returned to the bench against Burnley after coming back from his injury setback, which means that Farke now has the player he signed to be his number one in the summer available to him.

As you can see in the table above, the Brazilian shot-stopper was one of the top-performing goalkeepers in Ligue 1 last season, with outstanding shot-stopping, sweeping, and cross-claiming.

Perri did not have the best start to the Premier League season, conceding 1.99 more goals than expected across three matches (Sofascore), but he did have to play against Arsenal in a 5-0 loss to the league leaders in those three games.

Farke must now finally drop Darlow from the XI after his recent struggles to bring the summer signing from Lyon back into the team, in the hope that he can finally translate his Ligue 1 performances over to the Premier League.

Their answer to Saka: Leeds now have "one of England's best prospects"

Leeds United have a teen star in their academy who could emerge as their own Bukayo Saka-type player.

By
Dan Emery

Oct 15, 2025

Farke can feel sorry for himself because of the lack of quality in the final third, as a result of the lack of recruitment in the summer, but he has the defensive and goalkeeper options to change things ahead of the clash with West Ham, and he needs to use them.

Juan Soto is—by far—the biggest name to hit the open market this MLB offseason.

As teams prepare to break the bank for the 26-year-old superstar, agent Scott Boras outlined to reporters Wednesday exactly what Soto is looking for as he makes his decision this offseason.

"Juan Soto wants ownership that he knows is going to support an opportunity to win annually," Boras said. "His focus always was, 'I want to know who my owner is; I want to know that we're going to be able to win. And I want to know that, besides me, there's going to be a great number of support on part of the owner that he has the same desire to win that I do."

Soto is hitting the market for the first time after seven seasons in the big leagues in which he earned four All-Star nods, four Silver Sluggers and a World Series title with the Washington Nationals in 2019.

In 2024, Soto batted .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs for the New York Yankees. He is expected to sign a massive long-term contract this winter north of $50 million per season for at least 10 years.

One of those teams expected to be in the mix to sign Soto are the Yankees, who finished just shy of their first World Series title since 2009 by falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

"Playing in New York for Juan was really, really comfortable," Boras said. "He really, really enjoyed his teammates, the Yankees experience. Juan loves winning."