All posts by n8rngtd.top

Liverpool’s search for further attacking reinforcements this summer has intensified, with the club exploring alternative options should their primary target – a certain Alexander Isak – fail to materialise.

Amid the Premier League giants’ recruitment strategy, one young talent from La Liga has emerged as a potential solution to bolster Arne Slot’s frontline.

The forward, who has showcased glimpses of brilliance on Europe’s biggest stages, has seen his role at his current club diminish, prompting speculation over his future.

With only 92 minutes of action across three Club World Cup matches under new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, uncertainty has surrounded the Brazilian international this summer.

Limited playing time has sparked discussions across Europe, with several top-tier clubs reportedly monitoring his situation closely.

Liverpool, in particular, view him as a viable alternative if their pursuit of Isak falls through, keen to add both creativity and goal-scoring threat to the left-hand side of their attack.

Liverpool's transfer alternative

The player in question is none other than Rodrygo.

Since joining Real Madrid from Santos in 2019 for around £39m, the 24-year-old winger has established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting attacking talents.

Last season alone, Rodrygo netted 14 goals and contributed 11 assists, highlighting his ability to impact games consistently.

His skill set, combining pace, agility, and clinical finishing, has made him a valuable asset, particularly in high-stakes fixtures such as the Champions League.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Despite interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, the Brazilian has expressed a preference to remain in Europe, keeping his options open among Europe’s elite.

According to CaughtOffside, Real Madrid would entertain offers for Rodrygo in the region of €90–100m, about £86m.

Liverpool are ‘closely tracking’ his situation but Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City are also said to be alert to his availability, adding a competitive edge to any potential move.

Why Rodrygo could be Liverpool's new Coutinho

The potential acquisition of Rodrygo has drawn inevitable comparisons to another Brazilian talent who once made a significant impact in English football: Philippe Coutinho.

Like Coutinho, Rodrygo is naturally gifted, possessing a flair that allows him to create opportunities seemingly out of nothing.

Both players favour operating on the left flank, combining vision and technical skill to unlock defences, yet their playing styles exhibit both similarities and distinctions.

According to FBref, during his peak at Liverpool in the 2016/17 season, Coutinho contributed 21 goal involvements, averaging 0.85 goal contributions per 90 minutes.

Rodrygo, meanwhile, registered 25 goal involvements last season, with a slightly lower goal contribution per 90 of 0.57.

While Coutinho attempted more shots per 90 minutes (4.28 compared to Rodrygo’s 3.25) and had a higher shots-on-target ratio (1.58 vs. 1.33), Rodrygo boasts a higher accuracy percentage (40.7% versus Coutinho’s 36.8%).

These numbers underline that while Coutinho may have been more prolific in creating shooting opportunities, Rodrygo’s efficiency and finishing ability make him a constant goal threat.

Rodrygo’s international experience is equally notable.

In 33 appearances for Brazil, he has scored seven goals, reflecting a promising trajectory on the international stage that complements his club credentials.

Beyond the numbers, stylistic parallels are also evident. Coutinho was celebrated for his exceptional vision, playmaking ability, and long-range shooting.

He had the knack for threading precise through balls and executing dangerous free-kicks and corners.

Rodrygo, while slightly more direct in his approach, shares a similar creative spark, excelling in one-on-one situations and demonstrating tactical versatility across the front line.

His agility and pace make him a consistent menace on the left wing, reminiscent of the Brazilian dynamism Liverpool once benefited from in Coutinho.

Strategically, Liverpool could benefit from Rodrygo’s presence in a comparable way.

Coutinho’s ability to unlock defences and operate between the lines gave Liverpool a creative edge that often proved decisive in tight matches.

Rodrygo, while younger and perhaps still refining his decision-making, brings a blend of speed, finishing, and technical flair that could similarly enhance Slot’s forward line, which already boasts the likes of Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike.

Moreover, his track record in high-pressure games, including goals in the latter stages of the Champions League, demonstrates composure and readiness to deliver.

While Coutinho’s career path led him to Barcelona for a record fee and a different set of challenges, Rodrygo’s potential move to Liverpool would represent a chance to channel his talents in the Premier League.

If Liverpool’s recruitment team can secure him, the parallels with Coutinho’s impact at Anfield could be significant, adding a new dimension to Liverpool’s attacking options for the upcoming season.

Better than Guehi: Liverpool now chasing "one of the best CBs in the world"

Liverpool could land a better signing than Marc Guehi.

2

By
Matt Dawson

Aug 10, 2025

Endrick has shut down Real Madrid’s idea of a loan move, insisting on fighting for his place at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 19-year-old has yet to debut under Xabi Alonso after recovering from injury, and with Gonzalo Garcia’s rise adding pressure, the teenager faces a defining battle to earn his breakthrough.

• Standoff over Endrick’s Real Madrid future

  Madrid considered sending their new no. 9 Endrick on loan to ensure more playing time, with Valencia among the clubs interested. But the teenager and his entourage are firmly against leaving the Santiago Bernabeu, according to . The Bazilian has only just recovered from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Club World Cup and has not featured since May 18 against Sevilla. His agent, Frederico Pena, recently met with Juni Calafat, where he made clear the player’s desire to fight for his place, reports .

Advertisement

• Getty Images/Goal
  

  Rising competition in Madrid’s attack

  The timing of this debate is made trickier by the emergence of Gonzalo, who stepped up with four goals in the Club World Cup and earned a starting spot under Alonso. The Spaniard now has more attacking depth, creating a selection headache. With Gonzalo’s rise and established forwards already in the squad, Endrick may find his minutes limited unless he impresses quickly in training and upcoming fixtures.

• A closer look at the numbers

  The Brazilian striker featured in 37 matches last season, scoring seven goals, though he rarely played more than 45 minutes. His workload highlights why Madrid believe a loan could help his development. Yet, the youngster is determined to remain in the Spanish capital.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Waiting for Xabi Alonso’s call

  For now, Endrick’s challenge is to stay fit, stay patient, and seize any opportunities that come. Madrid are set for a huge derby clash with Atletico this weekend, and while the teenager may not start, his determination to make an impression remains clear. If playing time continues to be scarce, pressure could mount again in January but Endrick’s stance suggests he won’t be easy to move.

Having already commenced talks to sign Tolu Arokodare, Wolverhampton Wanderers are now reportedly eyeing a late swoop to sign another impressive striker.

Latest on Wolves' Arokodare move

With Fabio Silva set to join Borussia Dortmund, Wolves have instantly shifted their focus towards Arokodare. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Midlands club have commenced talks to sign the KRC Genk forward, who could hand Vitor Pereira’s frontline the added depth in quality that it’s been lacking since Matheus Cunha’s departure earlier this summer.

After scoring 23 goals in all competitions last season, the Nigerian forward could be the perfect partner to Jorgen Strand Larsen this season instead of becoming the Norwegian’s replacement.

Whilst Newcastle United have submitted two bids to sign the Wolves forward, both have been rejected and fresh reports have indicated that Strand Larsen will not be allowed to leave Molineux this summer.

The line from Wolves so far has been that Arokodare would simply be replacing Silva rather than anything else. Pereira also recently had his say on Strand Larsen’s future after he scored two goals in a dramatic Carabao Cup win against West Ham United.

Romano: £26m star now set for medical with deal sealed ahead of Wolves move

The Old Gold are set to land their man…

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Aug 26, 2025

He told reporters: “If it’s my decision, of course [Strand-Larsen stays]. Of course. Because he’s a very important player. It’s not only about the technical and tactical, it’s about the character. He’s a player with character.”

However, the manager did also admit that every player has a price and recent rumours that Wolves have set their sights on a second striker alongside Arokodare would suggest that this saga is far from over.

Wolves now eyeing late Alberto swoop

According to Molineux News, Wolves are now eyeing a late swoop to sign Yuri Alberto, who Pereira is a huge admirer of. The pair worked together during Pereira’s time at Corinthians and could now reunite as those in the Midlands set their sights on a late move alongside Arokodare.

The talented striker struck 31 goals in all competitions for Corinthians last season and would be more than capable of firing Wolves to safety. But the rumours of his potential arrival should spark some concern about Strand Larsen’s future.

Whilst Arokodare is a target to replace Silva, a move for a second striker would indicate that Strand Larsen could be heading for the exit door with Alberto lined up as his immediate replacement. Of course, there’s still plenty of dominoes to fall for this to be the case, but Wolves will be bracing themselves for a frantic few days.

Dubbed “superb” by South American football expert Nathan Joyes last November, Alberto would at least be the calibre of forward good enough to replace a talent of Strand Larsen’s level.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard’s scheduled flight to join the Norway national team was cancelled after he suffered a fresh knee injury against West Ham. The midfielder left the Emirates in a brace following another setback, leaving the Gunners concerned over his fitness ahead of crucial domestic and international fixtures.

• Odegaard's Norway jet cancelled after injury

  Odegaard was forced off in the first half of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over West Ham after colliding knees with Crysencio Summerville. The 26-year-old attempted to continue twice before signalling he could no longer play, visibly frustrated as he left the pitch. He was later spotted with a brace on his knee, which has prompted Arsenal to cancel his private jet to Norway for international duty, as per .

Advertisement

• (C)Getty images
  

  Odegaard suffering from injury crisis this year

  Odegaard had only recently returned from a shoulder problem and was eager to regain rhythm ahead of the October international break. Norway are set to face Israel in a vital World Cup qualifier next Saturday, with Odegaard’s availability now in serious doubt. The national team is awaiting updates from Arsenal’s medical staff before deciding whether to call up a replacement.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Arteta admitted that Odegaard injury doesn't look 'positive'

  Mikel Arteta admitted after the game that the early signs “don’t look positive” for his skipper. “He’s not feeling great right now, and we’ll need to assess it properly before making any decisions,” the Arsenal boss said. The setback adds to a growing injury list for the Gunners and continues a worrying trend for Odegaard, who has been forced off in three straight Premier League home starts.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Will Odegaard be able to return after the break?

  Arsenal’s medical team will continue to assess the severity of Odegaard’s knee issue in the coming days. The Gunners will be desperate to avoid another lengthy absence for their captain, especially with key fixtures looming after the international break. If scans reveal any significant damage, Odegaard could be sidelined for several weeks.

Heading into the final few days of the summer transfer window, Celtic head coach Brendan Rodgers made it clear that he did not want Adam Idah to leave unless he had already been replaced.

The Hoops boss confirmed that he told the board that the Ireland international should not be allowed to move to Swansea unless another striker had been signed.

However, it got to deadline day a couple of days later and the former Norwich City centre-forward completed a £6m move to EFL Championship team Swansea City, despite the fact that Celtic had not signed any strikers.

This meant that the Scottish Premiership giants ended the summer transfer window with Johnny Kenny and Shin Yamada as their only two senior options in the number nine position.

However, Celtic have moved to address their lack of options in that role in the free agent market by swooping to sign Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho.

The Hoops were touted with interest in the left-footed forward late in the day on Monday, and Sevilla then ripped up his contract to allow him to sign for the club on Tuesday, after the deadline.

What Kelechi Iheanacho could bring to Celtic

The 28-year-old striker is an intriguing signing for the Scottish giants because he was once a very highly-rated prospect in the Premier League during his time with Manchester City and Leicester.

Iheanacho, who worked with Rodgers during his time with the Foxes, played eight seasons in the English top-flight, and you do not stay in one of the best leagues in the world for that long if you are a bad player.

As you can see in the table above, the Nigerian striker even managed an eye-catching haul of 14 goal contributions in the division in the 2020/21 campaign, whilst being managed by the Celtic boss.

However, it is worth noting that he has only scored six goals in 52 matches in all competitions in the last two seasons, mainly playing in the Championship for Leicester and Middlesbrough, per Sofascore.

That run of form included zero goals and zero assists in nine appearances in LaLiga for Sevilla before they opted to terminate his contract earlier this week.

With this and the report that Celtic wanted two strikers on deadline day in mind, it makes sense that the Hoops are now being linked with another free agent forward.

Celtic in talks to sign English forward

According to The Herald, Celtic have made an approach to sign free agent centre-forward Patrick Bamford after his exit from Leeds United earlier this summer.

The former England international was not due to be out of contract at Elland Road, but a mutual agreement was reached after it had been made clear, by Daniel Farke, that he would not be part of their squad for the Premier League season.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

This means that Bamford is available on a free transfer and that the Hoops can snap him up at any point, although it is now too late to register him for the league phase of the Europa League.

Given that Celtic do not have to deal with a club or have to agree a transfer fee to sign the striker, the Premiership champions must now be in talks with the player after making an approach.

It is now down to the club and the player to see if there is a deal that could work for both parties to bring him in as the second striker that they wanted to add to the squad, after the signing of Iheanacho on Tuesday.

Patrick Bamford has shades of Gary Hooper

Bamford could arrive at Parkhead as a player who has shades of former Celtic marksman Gary Hooper, arriving at the club from England with a knack for scoring impressive goals.

The former Leeds marksman has only scored eight goals in the last two seasons in all competitions, but he was still able to showcase his ability to score world-class goals.

Bamford’s strike against Peterborough in the FA Cup last year was a sight to behold, and shows that he does have the quality to score stunning goals when playing regularly.

The 31-year-old striker did not start a single league game in the 2024/25 campaign, and only started 15 times in the 2023/24 season, which means that he did not get too many chances to add to his goal tally.

His ability to score brilliant goals whilst also being a poacher inside the box evokes shades of Hooper during his career, at Celtic and elsewhere, as the English forward was no stranger to a world-class finish.

Hooper, who scored a Bamford-esque volley during his time in England with Norwich City, scored 82 goals in 138 matches for Celtic in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

He proved himself to be a prolific goalscorer who could find the back of the net consistently, usually from inside the box instead of from range, before his move to Norwich in 2013.

Bamford is at the other end of his career in comparison to Hooper when he first arrived at Parkhead from Scunthorpe United, but he could provide a similar threat at the top end of the pitch.

The left-footed striker, whose finishing quality and work rate were described as “rare” by Jurgen Klopp, has been capped by England and scored 24 goals at Premier League level in his career, which shows that he would arrive in Glasgow with a lot of pedigree.

Move over Kelechi: Celtic already have Idah's replacement & it's not Kenny

Celtic may already have the replacement for Adam Idah in the building at Parkhead.

3

By
Dan Emery

Sep 3, 2025

Therefore, Bamford could be a shrewd free agent signing to play in the domestic competitions to save Iheanacho for the European matches, and he could give off shades of Hooper as the new English striker in town if the club are able to get a deal done for him.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino believes that the international calendar should be changed in order to accommodate winter World Cups in the future. With the 2034 edition currently scheduled to take place in the height of summer in Saudi Arabia, football's showpiece could follow Qatar's lead in 2022 and move to the winter, which saw domestic seasons start earlier and finish later.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  2022 World Cup set the benchmark

  With temperatures hitting as high as 39c in the day in the height of summer in Saudi Arabia, there is a strong possibility that the 2034 World Cup will need to be played in the winter. Indeed, average temperatures are a much more bearable 22c in December, and it means that the Saudi Arabia World Cup may be pushed back in the calendar.

  It wouldn't be the first time this has happened in the competition's history, with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, won by Argentina, setting the benchmark. While this did mean that the footballing calendar was adjusted for an earlier start and a later finish for leagues in Europe, it would vastly improve conditions for players and fans alike.

  Infantino has suggested that a change to the calendar could become a permanent move further down the line, meaning some domestic seasons would run into June rather than finish in mid-May.

Advertisement

• 'The best month to play football is not used very much in Europe'

  Speaking at the European Football Clubs' annual assembly in Rome, Infantino said talks are already underway to alter the footballing calendar. "We are already into the nitty-gritty, we are discussing all the time," Infantino is quoted as saying by The Times.

  "It’s not just about one World Cup – it’s a general reflection – even to play in some European countries in July is very, very hot, so maybe we have to think. Actually, the best month to play football, which is June, is not used very much in Europe. Maybe there are ways we can optimise the calendar, but we are discussing it and we will see when we come to some conclusions. We just have to have an open mind.

  "It is a fact that in the world, if you want to play at the same time everywhere, you can play in March or in October, most likely. Because in December you cannot play in one part of the world and in July you cannot play in another part of the world. We need to consider all these elements when we speak about national team competitions, national team release, about club competitions, and see how we can make it better for the benefit of everyone. So there is a lot at stake."

• AFP
  

  No visa problems for countries at the 2026 World Cup

  The FIFA President is also adamant that there will be no visa issues at the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in North America next summer, adding: "There will be no issues with regard to visas for the participating teams and we are hoping to announce something soon for fans. We have excellent discussions with the US government, there is White House task force headed by President Trump," he said.

  Furthermore, Infantino added that he hopes Israel's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Italy won't be targeted by protesters after a ceasefire was agreed between Israel and Hamas to end the conflict in Gaza.

  "Now there is a ceasefire everyone should be happy about that and support the process," Infantino said.

  "It goes beyond football but it includes football as well. The ceasefire agreement is fantastic news for the whole world."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• 19 nations have qualified for the 48-team World Cup

  At the time of writing, 19 nations have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, with Japan the first none-host to secure their spot in the US. With South American qualifying wrapped up, 2022 winners Argentina and the World Cup's most successful side, Brazil, have also secured their spot stateside.

  The likes of England, Portugal, Spain and France are also expected to jet across the Atlantic next summer as they quartet seek to maintain their 100% start to their respective World Cup qualifying campaigns. The latest side to book their ticket are Algeria, who qualified on Thursday. 

With Brendan Rodgers’ future still up in the air, a fresh update has dropped regarding the situation and Celtic’s board, courtesy of an ex-CEO.

Rodgers delighted after dramatic Celtic win

The Hoops left it very late to win 2-1 away to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday afternoon, with new signing Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

Speaking after the game, Rodgers couldn’t hide his delight at the result, as Celtic’s winning mentality shone through, like it so often does.

“It’s a great feeling. It’s been a long two weeks, so to get back out on to the football field – and this is always a tough game here – I’m so pleased for the players.“We weren’t quite in the right fluidity in the first-half. We got into some good areas but we weren’t feeding the wide guys well enough. But I thought in the second half we were much better.

“We started the half really well, got in front, and we had control of the game and had other good chances. They made some really good blocks.

“At 1-0 it can always be in the balance, no matter how much dominance you have, and we got punished from a corner and then they had a wee bit of momentum then with not so long to go. But we stuck at it, we defended the box when he had to, we were really strong and had that Celtic spirit.”

New update on Rodgers' Celtic future

Away from a huge win, though, Rodgers’ future is still a key talking point, and speaking to Football Insider, former Aberdeen chief executive officer Keith Wyness claimed that Celtic’s board will cause huge anger among the fanbase if the manager leaves.

“Now, what I’m hearing from my Celtic contacts is that they’re feeling that the board has become a little bit ivory tower in its view these days. They’re older. They’re used to doing things a certain way, they’re not listening to what they need to do to change, they’re not prepared to change, and there isn’t a hunger and a desire anymore to go forward.

“They’re quite happy with the money in the bank. So that’s what frustrates fans more than anything else when they see their prices going up and they have to fund the season tickets, and they don’t see that being transferred into ambition. It isn’t as though the club’s bust, the very opposite, that’s what frustrates people.

“If Brendan goes, then I think the board will see some real anger, obviously depending on who they bring in. Brendan had managed to win back over a lot of the fans and there’s a lot of sympathy for Brendan in this situation.”

There is no doubt that life under Rodgers isn’t perfect right now, and that he isn’t blameless when it comes to some underwhelming performances, but he still feels like the right man for the job for many fans.

As Wyness alludes to, he wasn’t fully supported financially in the summer transfer window, causing plenty of frustration, so he can only work with the squad he has now.

Rodgers may have unearthed Celtic's next Tierney & it's not Saracchi

Celtic may have found their next Kieran Tierney and it is not Marcelo Saracchi.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 14, 2025

Sacking Rodgers would be a big risk by the board, and if that did happen, or if the Northern Irishman leaves, they will have to nail his successor to please the supporters.

PSV Eindhoven delivered a stunning performance in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, dismantling Napoli 6-2 at Philips Stadion with American forward Ricardo Pepi making a significant impact off the bench. The 22-year-old striker needed just two minutes after entering the match to find the net and later provided an assist as PSV secured their first Champions League win of the season.

• Supersub

  Both U.S. internationals Pepi and Sergino Dest entered the match in the 84th minute with PSV already leading 4-1 against 10-man Napoli. Their introduction proved immediately impactful as Napoli briefly reduced the deficit when Scott McTominay headed home in the 85th minute, only for Pepi to restore PSV's three-goal advantage just one minute later.

  The former FC Dallas academy product showed his predatory instincts by tapping in from close range after fellow substitute Couhaib Driouech created the opportunity. Pepi then returned the favor two minutes later by feeding Driouech for PSV’s sixth and final goal of the night.

Advertisement

• Pepi's goal

• AFP
  

  Dutch side overcomes early deficit

  The comprehensive victory didn't come without early challenges for PSV. Napoli had taken the lead in the 31st minute through McTominay's headed goal from a Leonardo Spinazzola cross. However, PSV responded quickly with an Alessandro Buongiorno own goal in the 35th minute, leveling the score.

  The Dutch side then seized control when Ismael Saibari put them ahead in the 38th minute with a clinical finish after a swift counter-attack. Dennis Man extended PSV's advantage in the 54th minute, tapping in at the near post from Mauro Junior's cutback, before Napoli's situation deteriorated further when Lorenzo Lucca received a straight red card in the 76th minute for dissent after pointing to his head following a foul decision.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Gaining momentum

  The impressive performances from both Pepi and Dest, albeit in limited minutes, will boost their confidence as PSV prepares for upcoming fixtures. Pepi's goal and assist in just six minutes of play could potentially earn him more substantial playing time as the Dutch side looks to build on this momentum in both the Champions League and Eredivisie. The Dutch side will face Feyenoord next in the Eredivisie on Oct. 25 before hosting Fortuna Sittard on Oct. 31.

David Moyes returned to Everton in January, replacing a rather beleaguered Sean Dyche at the helm.

We all know this, but few foresaw the impact that the Scotsman would have on a tired outfit routinely threatened by relegation from the Premier League. Everton in fact did not finish the 2024/25 campaign in an imperilled position, but comfortably in mid-table, bouncing up and up across the second half of the term.

Now, after a summer exodus and a wave of fresh talent – Jack Grealish, looking at you – the Toffees are ready to compete for a top-half-of-the-table finish.

Grealish is the talisman, but Everton are built on a range of industrious players all working toward a shared goal. It’s what Moyes knows, with his previous tenure on Merseyside laden with unsung heroes who played important roles.

Moyes' unsung heroes at Everton

With Moyes at the helm across the noughties, Everton were a stable and competitive club. From 2006/07, seven times in succession did the manager and his squad maintain top-half finishes in the Premier League, with many under-the-radar stars pulling their weight alongside some more prominent peers.

Leon Osman would be a case in point, the retired midfielder spending almost all of his career at Goodison Park, racking up 433 appearances for the club. The lion’s share came in Moyes’ system. He didn’t boast the skill or the technical range to reach superstardom in the Premier League, but he worked tirelessly and was as tenacious as they get.

Tony Hibbert and Phil Neville also played immense stretches of their careers with Moyes’ Everton, always willing to do the hard yards and let the likes of Tim Cahill reap the praises with fine finishes and leaping headers.

Similarly, Mikel Arteta was a workhorse under Moyes’ wing. However, the now Arsenal manager was endowed with a footballing intellect and breadth of passing qualities that led the tactician to call his protege “head and shoulders” above the rest.

It’s a shame, with all this in mind, that Everton parted ways with Alex Iwobi a few years back, with the versatile Nigerian seemingly perfect for a dynamic role in Moyes’ Everton team.

Why Iwobi would be perfect for Everton

Everton signed a young Iwobi from Arsenal back in 2018, and he didn’t come cheap.

The Hale End winger arrived in a £34m deal, and he would play 140 times for Everton across five seasons, and he would ebb and flow, finishing his time at a club on a high, though, refashioned into a robust and versatile midfielder, pulled away from the attacking flank berth that had failed to yield prolific returns.

Now 29 years old, Iwobi is certainly something of an unsung hero in the Premier League himself, with journalist Daniel Storey hailing him as “one of the most underrated midfielders in the country” on the Totally Football Show this week.

Iwobi’s impressive – and, crucially, consistent – performances lend credence to that claim, with data-led platform FBref recording him to have ranked among the top 12% of positional peers in the Premier League last season for passes attempted, the top 6% for progressive passes and the top 5% for carries into the final third

Moyes would have loved him, deploying this slick and athletic distributor centrally and out wide, as he did with Arteta way back when.

Iwobi scored nine goals and supplied six assists in the Premier League last year. He created 12 big chances and won 1.2 tackles and 3.1 duels per game.

And this season, he’s started strongly, with a goal and two assists across five appearances under Marco Silva’s wing. Curiously, Silva was the man who welcomed him to Goodison Park.

Trust is a valuable thing in football, with this symbiotic relationship working well for a Fulham side well settled in the top flight after years of inconsistency.

Everton have a range of talented options right now, but Iwobi is an extremely underrated player, and it’s interesting to consider whether he would have stayed put had he known Moyes was heading back to Liverpool.

Everton must rue losing homegrown Dibling with "unbelievably high ceiling"

Everton once released a star for nothing when he could have been a homegrown Tyler Dibling.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 25, 2025

Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White has hailed Ruben Amorim for masterminding an "incredible" Manchester United resurgence ahead of a crucial Premier League showdown at City Ground. At the end of September, United were being written off as a sinking ship. A humiliating 3-1 loss to Brentford left Amorim’s side stranded in 14th place and seemingly spiralling toward another season of disappointment. But after a sensational October, the narrative has flipped on its head.

• AFP
  

  Amorim’s stunning turnaround

  Amorim’s United have roared back to life after putting in a series of performances that have propelled them to sixth in the Premier League standings. They started October with a gritty 2-0 win over high-flying Sunderland. Many feared that the two-week international break would dent their momentum, but the Red Devils shocked their critics after churning out a historic 2-1 victory at Anfield to end a nine-year jinx. The squad started to believe, and then riding on the bright form, they dispatched Brighton 4-2 in a pulsating encounter at Old Trafford on Saturday. Suddenly, the Red Devils are back in the European mix and are just six points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Gibbs-White wary of United threat

  Gibbs-White has admitted he is an admirer of Amorim’s transformation job. Speaking to , the Forest playmaker was full of praise for how United have rediscovered their identity.

  "It’s been incredible to see, obviously they’ve been going through a tough time in the past couple of years," he said. "But they’ve stuck with the gaffer [Amorim] and the past four or five games, you’re really starting to see how Man United should be playing, that grit and that determination to want to play for the badge. I feel like it’s been incredible to see, it’s something I feel like the league has missed."

  However, while Gibbs-White respects United’s resurgence, he has warned that Forest must not get drawn into the hype.

  "All we can do is focus on ourselves, we can’t focus on how Man United are doing and how their performances are because if we do that, we’re just almost bowing down to them," he added. "We’ve got to focus on what we want to do and how we can win the game. I feel like this week we’ve already started to implement some ideas, and obviously we’ve still got a few more days until the game, so I’m sure the gaffer [Sean Dyche] will have more ideas of how we can beat them."

• Amorim's tactical evolution at Man Utd

  A major reason for United’s revival lies in Amorim’s subtle but significant tactical tweaks. Early-season criticism was fierce, with fans tearing into his rigid 3-4-3 formation, accusing him of being too stubborn and naive in the Premier League. But instead of abandoning his philosophy, Amorim refined it. Without the ball, United now defend in a compact 5-4-1 shape, with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro forming a disciplined midfield block. They get additional help from Luke Shaw, who has been instructed to step into midfield when out of possession, creating an extra body in the press. The changes have made United harder to break down, and the results are there for everyone to see. 

  Club legend Rio Ferdinand, who lifted 14 trophies in his 12 glittering years at Old Trafford, is among those who has been pleased with the recent changes. On he hailed the manager's flexibility to tweak his ideas to suit the players. 

  "I admire it to a certain extent. But like I said, I think he was playing Russian Roulette with his job. I don't think he's changed drastically; he's just tweaked," he said. "That's what a lot of fans were asking for. Just tweak what you've got. Maybe don't be so much on the front foot, maybe be a bit more conservative at times when we haven't got the ball. You can't press, press, press for 90 minutes, unless you're an absolute beast of a team. PSG do it. This manager couldn't do that with this squad."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  A fourth victory on the trot at Forest?

  While United climb the table with renewed purpose, Forest find themselves in dire straits. Ange Postecoglou has been shown the door after a disastrous spell, and Sean Dyche’s first Premier League game in charge ended in a sobering 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, leaving Forest 18th with just one win from nine matches. A rejuvenated United side, brimming with confidence, might be licking their lips at the opportunity to register a fourth straight Premier League victory. This would mark United’s best run since February 2024 and indicate a genuine transformation from an early-season disarray to a top-four contender. However, Gibbs-White will be out to try and spoil the party.