Following their 2-2 draw with Real Betis, former player Stan Collymore has named one Nottingham Forest star who he believes is “finally” living up to the hype.

Ange "disappointed" by Real Betis draw

After falling a goal behind courtesy of Cedric Bakambu’s impressive finish inside 15 minutes, Nottingham Forest arguably played the best football of Ange Postecoglou’s young tenure. The Midlands club soon equalised through summer signing Igor Jesus, who then found his brace to flip the game on its head.

From there, it was Forest’s to lose and they should have extended their lead before the break. Ultimately, however, they left the door ajar for Antony to find a late equaliser for the hosts. In the end, the Tricky Trees were forced to settle for a “disappointing” draw, according to Postecoglou.

Even after making it four wins without a victory as Forest boss, however, there were positives for Postecoglou to take. The first-half display was particularly dominant and Elliot Anderson once again stood out in the middle of the park.

Related Worse call than Luiz: Ange got it so wrong with 6/10 Nottingham Forest man

Nottingham Forest secured a 2-2 draw with Real Betis in their first European game in 30 years.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Sep 25, 2025

Both the England international and another midfield star received high praise from former Nottingham Forest player Collymore after the game.

Collymore: Sangare "finally" living up to hype

After spending most of last season sidelined through injury, it was important for Ibrahim Sangare to make his mark under Postecoglou and that’s exactly what he’s doing. According to Collymore, Sangare is “finally” living up to the hype after an “incredibly effective” display against Real Betis in the Europa League.

The numbers paint a similar picture about the midfielder. Against Betis, Sangare won two out of three ground duels, was dribbled past just once, and made three recoveries. It was a display that Postecoglou will expect to see from his defensive midfielder every week.

It’s also worth noting the impact that Douglas Luiz has also had and how that may have played a part in Sangare’s revival. The former Aston Villa man was in full control when he was on the pitch and often acted as the conductor for wave after wave of Forest attacks.

Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera is considering switching international allegiance from Spain after being promised a spot elsewhere at the 2026 World Cup in North America. Mosquera, born in the city of Alicante, has represented the Spanish national team at various youth levels, but he has yet to break into the senior squad. With the World Cup fast approaching, the 21-year-old is considering representing another nation.

Mosquera joined Arsenal this summer

Arsenal completed the signing of Mosquera from Valencia during the summer transfer window in a £13 million ($17m) deal. The 21-year-old was brought in to add depth and competition to Mikel Arteta’s backline, which already boasts one of the Premier League’s most formidable centre-back pairings in William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Mosquera has already adjusted to life in north London and has recently explained what convinced him to leave Spain and move to the Premier League. The defender had said: "I feel great at the club and in the city. From the first moment Arteta spoke to me, I had no doubts about going to Arsenal. There’s an incredible group of players. Plus, there are a lot of Spanish speakers who have helped me adapt. When I signed, I knew I was going to face them [Gabriel and Saliba], two world-class stars, but that was the club’s idea: to have players competing for every position to go as far as possible."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDefender considering switching international allegiance

Mosquera has represented the Spanish national team at Under-15, U16, U18, U19 and U21 levels, but he is yet to break into Luis de la Fuente's senior squad. Mosquera is desperate to play at the World Cup in North America next year but he is currently behind Dean Huijsen, Robin Le Normand and Pau Cubarsi in La Roja's set-up. His wish could, however, be fulfilled, as according to , Colombia are hoping to convince the defender to represent their national team. The Gunners star's parents hail from the South American nation and he himself holds a Colombian passport.

The CONMEBOL side have reportedly guaranteed Mosquera a place in their squad at the 2026 World Cup, which might convince the 21-year-old to switch his international allegiance. In 2023, Colombia had made similar efforts, but at that point, the youngster was convinced he would represent Spain at the senior level after being named as the captain of their U-21 team.

Can footballers switch international allegiance?

The short answer is yes. Footballers can change international teams thanks to the FIFA eligibility rules. Article 9 of FIFA's Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes deals with changing association. The rules allow a player to change their national team allegiance only once, but the latest 2020 update also facilitates a reversal of a change request in certain specific circumstances. FIFA allows footballers to change their international team allegiance in recognition of the complexities of individual identity that accompany the increasingly globalised society in which we live. It is generally accepted that there are many players who hold more than one nationality and whose attachment to a particular country or countries is inherently nuanced.

In recent times, former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood is in the process of switching allegiance from England to Jamaica. Greenwood made just the one appearance for England before he was exiled by United in 2023 and has since been working on a switch of allegiance that would allow him to make his return on the international stage.

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Getty Images SportMosquera's journey at Arsenal so far

Mosquera’s signing has already proven to be a masterstroke for Arsenal, not only in terms of squad depth but also in value. At just £13m, the Spanish defender is considered one of the bargains of the summer transfer window, and his performances have backed that up. When Saliba picked up a minor injury against Liverpool last month, Arteta immediately turned to Mosquera – a decision that paid off, with the youngster putting in a composed display. Arteta later praised his impact, saying, "Thank God we had Mosquera." He has appeared in eight matches across all competitions, which include two Premier League starts and one in the Champions League.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية، عن أول رد فعل من جانب رئيس نادي برشلونة، خوان لابورتا، على هزيمة مباراة الكلاسيكو مساء أمس الأحد، في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم أمام ريال مدريد.

واستضاف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة فريقي ريال مدريد وبرشلونة في قمة منافسات الجولة العاشرة من الليجا، 2025/26، حيث فاز الملكي بهدفين لهدف.

وذكرت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية أن اليوم كان عصيبًا على برشلونة، ورغب خوان لابورتا في التواجد رفقة الفريق، لذلك توجه إلى ملاعب التدريب في المدينة الرياضية، وكذلك غرفة الملابس.

وأوضحت أن خوان لابورتا حرص على تشجيع لاعبي برشلونة بعد هزيمة الكلاسيكو أمام ريال مدريد، حيث يدرك أن تلك الخسارة قد تؤثر على غرفة الملابس، لأنها تعني كذلك ابتعاد غريمهم في الصدارة، حيث أن الفارق بينهما 5 نقاط الآن.

اقرأ أيضًا.. واقعة غريبة بين فينيسيوس والحكم الرابع في مباراة الكلاسيكو أمام برشلونة

وأفادت بأنه في مثل ذلك اليوم العصيب، لم يرغب لابورتا في ترك اللاعبين والجهاز الفني وحدهم، حيث شجعهم وحاول رفع معنوياتهم بقوله إن الموسم لا يزال بأكمله أمامهم، والهزيمة في مباراة الأمس مجرد عثرة.

وأشارت إلى أن لابورتا وصل إلى المدينة الرياضية صباح اليوم الإثنين، بعد مغادرة بعض المحترفين، وخاطب جميع اللاعبين بشكل عام ولم يركز على أي منهم تحديدًا، وكان خطابه تحفيزيًا ولم يدم طويلًا، وحرص على إظهار دعم النادي لهم.

وشددت على أن لابورتا يزور المدينة الرياضية بانتظام لأنه يرغب في أن يكون قريبًا من الفريق، ولكنه رغب اليوم كذلك في مخاطبتهم حيث يرى أهمية ذلك من أجل تشجيعهم والتعبير عن ثقته المطلقة تجاههم.

ويعتقد لابورتا أن كتيبة هانز فليك قادرة على الفوز بكل بطولة تشارك بها، كما يؤمن بموهبة اللاعبين ومهارة المدرب الألماني وقدرته على قيادتهم، ويأمل أن تكون الهزيمة في الكلاسيكو بمثابة جرس إنذار لمساعدتهم على التركيز على طريق النجاح.

Manchester United have now joined the race for an England international, who Thomas Tuchel was left impressed by against Andorra.

Man Utd remain keen on new midfielder

Ruben Amorim was able to make a number of improvements to his squad during the summer transfer window, but one position he failed to strengthen was central midfield, despite well-documented interest in Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba.

It is clear Amorim isn’t overly convinced by Kobbie Mainoo, which could exacerbate the need to bring in a new central midfielder, with the 20-year-old featuring for just 45 minutes in the Premier League so far this season.

Amid a lack of game time, there were suggestions that Mainoo was considering a move late in the transfer window, so if Amorim doesn’t give the Englishman regular minutes before January, it seems feasible that he could push for a move this winter.

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Given a lack of game time, the youngster hasn’t been called up by England for the current international break, and the Red Devils have now set their sights on signing a different Three Lions midfielder.

That is according to former Red Devils scout Mick Brown, who revealed that Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is now of interest to United, in an interview with Football Insider.

Brown said: “Man United have been looking at Anderson,

“He’s done a tremendous job at Nottingham Forest and then he’s come into the England side and turned in a man-of-the-match performance. United see him as exactly the type of midfielder they would like to bring in.

“He gets up and down the park, he’s confident and secure in possession of the ball, and he’s not afraid to put in a tackle which is something they need.”

"Phenomenal" Anderson catching the eye for England

On what was his England debut against Andorra last week, the 22-year-old made a fantastic first impression, with Tuchel saying: “Very good, very, very good. He was a bit nervous this week but then did good, and we said let’s try it, and he did it. That was the test and I think he passed the test.”

The central midfielder has also been singled out for praise by international teammate Reece James in the past, with the Chelsea defender describing him as a “phenomenal” player, who should have received a call-up sooner.

Not only that, but the Forest star has made a fantastic start to the new Premier League campaign, averaging a 7.15 WhoScored match rating in the opening three games, which is the highest figure in the squad.

As such, Man United should undoubtedly make a move for the £40k-a-week midfielder if he is available, but it could be difficult to tempt Forest into a sale.

Toss Rishabh Pant won the toss and put Mumbai Indians into bat with the hope that the pitch would get better in the second innings. Mayank Yadav is set to make his first appearance in IPL 2025 after missing the first half of the season due to a back injury. He replaced Shardul Thakur, who took one wicket in the last three games.Mayank made a name for himself last season with his ability to hit the 150kph mark consistently. He played four games and picked up seven wickets before injury ruled him out of the tournament.Mumbai Indians, who are coming on the back of four consecutive wins, made two changes. Corbin Bosch made his IPL debut as Mitchell Santner missed out due to a niggle in his finger. Karn Sharma replaced Vignesh Puthur, who bowled just one over in MI’s last game. Jasprit Bumrah is part of the Impact Players list and is likely to replace Rohit Sharma for the second innings.The heat in Mumbai was another factor that could play a part in the first day game at the venue this season. Pant said the ball might stop a bit during the day. MI captain Hardik Pandya also wanted to bowl but hoped that the players could draw upon the experience of playing in the heat as kids to cope with it.Mumbai Indians: 1 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Will Jacks, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Hardik Pandya (capt), 7 Naman Dhir, 8 Corbin Bosch, 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Karn SharmaMI Impact Player options: Jasprit Bumrah, Raj Bawa, Reece Topley, Robin Minz, Satyanarayana RajuLucknow Super Giants XI: 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Mitchell Marsh, 3 Nicholas Pooran, 4 Rishabh Pant (capt & wk), 5 Ayush Badoni, 6 Abdul Samad, 7 Mayank Yadav, 8 Ravi Bishnoi, 9 Digvesh Rathi, 10 Avesh Khan, 11 Prince YadavLSG Impact Player options: David Miller, Yuvraj Choudhary, Shahbaz Ahmed, Himmat Singh, Akash Singh

After scoring their fifth consecutive late winner to secure all three points against Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Arne Slot have received another boost on the injury front.

Slot praises Liverpool in "different" Atletico Madrid win

The Reds haven’t done things the easy way so far this season. They needed Federico Chiesa’s late winner against Bournemouth, Rio Ngumoha’s stoppage time winner against Newcastle United, Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick against Arsenal and Mohamed Salah’s late penalty against Burnley to make it four from four in the Premier League.

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Six minutes into Atletico Madrid’s visit, it seemed as though Slot’s side finally had take-off, however. It was about as scintillating a start as Anfield is likely to see, with goals from Andy Robertson and a vintage Salah finish seeing Liverpool race into a 2-0 lead. Their dominance only continued from there, but complacency – as was the case against Bournemouth and Newcastle – soon arrived.

Diego Llorente’s brace, which featured a deflected effort to equalise in his fourth Anfield goal, soon had the visitors level and Liverpool in need of another late goal. This time, it was the captain who stepped up to head home in the 92nd minute to keep his side rolling on and the late show featuring another guest star.

Although the trend of late winners continued, Slot was quick to claim that victory against Atletico was “different” to Burnley and Arsenal, thanks to the amount of chances that Liverpool created.

He told reporters: “Everybody will probably talk again about the late game winner, which I understand because that is the story of this game and the story of the last five games. But for me it was a different game than the ones we have played before.”

Another Anfield win followed more good news on the injury front too, which will see one player make his return for the Merseyside derby this weekend.

Curtis Jones set to return for Merseyside derby

As confirmed by Slot, Curtis Jones is on course to return from injury in time to face Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday afternoon, in what is a fitting way for the academy graduate to make his comeback.

The midfielder missed games against Burnley and Atletico Madrid, but will now hand Liverpool a boost in the middle of the park with his return. It is against another side that will sit deep that his ability to progress play will come in use for the Reds, as the full impact of his ability is potentially felt across Anfield in what could be a frantic affair.

Praised as “complete” by Slot, Jones remains an underrated player who is gradually beginning to make his mark in Merseyside.

Tottenham Hotspur were viewed as frontrunners to sign a Premier League star along with their ongoing move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani.

Tottenham pushing to sign Kolo Muani

In a summer which has seen attacking stars Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons arrive in north London, Daniel Levy is looking for more in the final third before the window slams shut.

Spurs incomings

From

Fee

Mohammed Kudus

West Ham

£55m

Xavi Simons

RB Leipzig

£51.8m

Mathys Tel

Bayern Munich

£30m

Kevin Danso

Lens

£21m

Luka Vuskovic

Hajduk Split

£12m

Kota Taka

Kawasaki Frontale

£5m

Joao Palhinha

Bayern Munich

Loan

Thomas Frank’s side drew a blank before the international break against AFC Bournemouth, and Spurs are now pursuing Kolo Muani. Linked with Tottenham before, the France international now looks set to join a loan-to-buy deal.

However, it isn’t just Spurs who are in for the former Juventus loanee, with the likes of Bayern Munich and Aston Villa also on the hunt for attacking additions. Should Kolo Muani head to London as expected, he could be joined by a “perfect” player, with an update emerging on another Spurs target.

Spurs were frontrunners for Akanji before Inter deal

According to reports on deadline day, relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham are seen as the frontrunners to sign Manuel Akanji from Manchester City.

The 30-year-old only wants to play for a side in the Champions League this season, ruling out a move to Europa League side AC Milan.

However, Akanji, who picks up £180,000-a-week (£9.3m-a-year), is now set to join Inter Milan on loan, with the Serie A side having an option to buy.

Capable of playing as a full-back or as a centre-back, Akanji has been hailed in the past by Pep Guardiola, with the Etihad boss calling him “perfect” at one point.

“With [assistant manager] Carlos Vicens on set pieces, he said: ‘you only have to tell [Akanji] once [and] he knows it’. The movement defensively and offensively, he executes it perfectly. This is a gift for the manager. Some players, you have to explain ten times or train ten times to show what you are thinking or what you want to do. This guy needed just one training session and he got it.

“The movement he has to do as a full-back, the high pressing, he didn’t train once, and he did it perfectly. With the ball he is a magnificent player. Our build-up should be three in the back and that’s why in the position we normally play Kyle [Walker] or John [Stones]. He was absolutely perfect. Proof again that intelligent people, always it pays off.”

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.

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Eddie Howe’s Newcastle have built their season on defensive solidity.

Heading into their clash with Arsenal, the Magpies boasted the lowest expected goals conceded (xGA) in the league at 2.5, highlighting just how compact and resilient they had been.

That statistic shifted after Arsenal generated 2.04 xG at St James’ Park, pushing Newcastle down to second-best in the league.

Even so, Howe’s side have only conceded five goals all season while keeping four clean sheets, with only Liverpool and Arsenal managing to find the net against them.

Against the Gunners, Newcastle were disciplined and well-drilled, often forcing Mikel Arteta’s side into less threatening areas.

Yet all that hard work was undone in the 96th minute, when Gabriel Magalhães rose highest to score the winner.

How Gabriel helped to down Newcastle

It was a bitter pill to swallow given how well Newcastle had restricted Arsenal, but Gabriel’s decisive intervention underlined the fine margins at this level.

The Brazilian’s influence was evident beyond his goal. He disrupted Nick Woltemade and marshalled the defensive line with authority.

His performance earned him a man-of-the-match rating of 8.6 – a reminder of just how important he is to Arsenal’s title push.

Even if there was that one blemish with Woltemade, it’s safe to say he’s become a force in the Premier League in recent years.

Gabriel’s journey at Arsenal since arriving from Lille in 2020 has been one of steady progression.

Now 27 years old and valued at around £70m by Transfermarkt, he has cemented his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most commanding centre-backs.

His partnership with William Saliba has been the bedrock of Arsenal’s recent success.

Together they have anchored a backline that has kept 29 clean sheets over the last two seasons, while goalkeeper David Raya has claimed consecutive Golden Glove awards.

Beyond his defensive qualities, Gabriel provides a consistent goal threat.

His headed winner against Newcastle was his 21st goal for Arsenal, a remarkable tally for a central defender.

That ability to contribute at both ends makes him invaluable to Mikel Arteta’s side. Statistically, he remains a well-rounded force.

Gabriel – 2025/26

Matches Played

6

Minutes

540

Goals

1

Tackles

8

Blocks

12

Source: FBref

He completes just over 56 passes per match with a 90.2% accuracy rate, while also contributing 4.79 progressive passes per 90 minutes.

Defensively, he averages 0.95 tackles, 0.46 challenges, and 1.6 blocks per 90, illustrating his balance of proactive interventions and last-ditch defending.

His dominance in the air, as demonstrated against Newcastle, adds yet another dimension to his game.

Having also earned 15 caps for Brazil, Gabriel is now a figure of experience and consistency on the international stage.

If Arsenal are to go one better than last season, his blend of physicality, set-piece threat, and defensive nous will be central to their challenge.

But, do the Toon have their own answer to the big Brazilian?

Chalkboard

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

Expand Collapse Newcastle's answer to Gabriel

While Gabriel left St James’ Park with the headlines, Malick Thiaw walked away with plenty of admirers after what has been described as an “outstanding” performance.

The 24-year-old German, a £30m signing from AC Milan, is only a handful of games into his Newcastle career but already looks like a player with huge potential.

Thiaw’s numbers against Arsenal painted the picture of a defender unfazed by one of the toughest attacking units in Europe.

He won four of his six aerial duels, cleared his lines eight times, and registered one interception.

Crucially, he was not dribbled past once, underlining his ability to stand his ground in one-v-one situations.

On the ball, he attempted 23 passes, completing 20, showing the composure that made him such an attractive signing.

He sits in the 95th percentile for pass completion among centre-backs in Europe (93.1%), completing almost 59 passes per match.

He averages 4.43 progressive passes per 90, nearly identical to Gabriel’s 4.79, and also attempts more progressive carries, at 0.60 per 90 compared to Gabriel’s 0.38.

Defensively, Thiaw’s 1.19 tackles per 90 outstrip Gabriel’s 0.95, while he also makes 0.70 blocks per 90.

These numbers highlight subtle differences in style. Gabriel excels in last-ditch defending and aerial duels, while Thiaw appears more proactive in stepping out to intercept and more comfortable driving play forward.

Both are commanding presences, titans at the back, but Thiaw’s on-ball security may give Newcastle an edge in building from the back once Eddie Howe’s attacking system clicks.

The prospect of the summer arrival forming a long-term partnership with Sven Botman is tantalising.

Botman’s anticipation and positional discipline, combined with Thiaw’s composure, could provide Newcastle with a defensive pairing to rival Arsenal’s Gabriel-Saliba axis.

Against Arsenal, Thiaw didn’t just look like a stopgap in Fabian Schär’s absence – he looked like a centre-half ready to shape Newcastle’s future.

His performance against the Gunners suggested he has the physicality, intelligence, and technical quality to become one of the Premier League’s standout defenders.

If Newcastle’s rise continues, Thiaw could be at the heart of it.

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Posts ByWill Miller Sep 29, 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.