O confronto do Flamengo com o América-MG trará um desafio ainda mais peculiar para Allan. Pela primeira vez desde que chegou à Gávea, o jogador de 26 anos iniciará a partida como titular.
Devido às ausências de Erick Pulgar, lesionado, e Luiz Araújo, que cumpre suspensão pelo cartão vermelho recebido no clássico diante do Fluminense, o meio-campista terá o desafio de manter a consistência do meio de campo diante de um adversário que chega como franco-atirador. Além disso, caberá ao atleta mostrar sua capacidade de atuar de maneira impetuosa, engatando jogadas com naturalidade e sempre de olho na área adversária.
+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Mengão!
Sua chegada à equipe titular acontece em um momento no qual o Flamengo tenta caminhos para conseguir vitórias de maneira convincente. A perspicácia de Allan, que chama a atenção por sua saída de bola limpa e trocas de passes rápidas será crucial. Principalmente ao encontrar Gerson, Everton Ribeiro ou Arrascaeta.
Em uma formação com três volantes, na qual atuará com Victor Hugo ao seu lado e tendo Gerson mais adiantado, o camisa 21 surge como o ideal para levar o Flamengo a, gradualmente, garantir sua força ofensiva. E o atleta vem demonstrando, nos minutos nos quais atuou diante do Athletico-PR e Fluminense, que não falta dedicação em campo.
Cabe a Allan comprovar seu ímpeto nesta chance de ser titular e lutar por um lugar entre os principais jogadores do Flamengo.
Liverpool’s summer has been a whirlwind of activity, both in the transfer market and on the pitch.
The reigning Premier League champions kicked off their title defence with three wins from three.
They started with a 4-2 home victory against Bournemouth, followed by a hard-fought 3-2 win away at Newcastle, and a 1-0 success at home against Arsenal before the international break.
Alongside this, Liverpool have been busy in the transfer market, bringing in reinforcements like Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Geovani Leoni, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and Alexander Isak.
While the club invested heavily in top-tier talent, they also opted to cash in on a number of established first-team players and youth prospects.
Luis Diaz departed for Bayern Munich, and Darwin Núñez moved to Al-Hilal, leaving gaps in attack that the new signings are expected to fill.
Meanwhile, Liverpool also demonstrated strategic acumen in monetising young talent, turning promising academy graduates into substantial profits.
Selling young talent for big fees
This summer saw Liverpool secure impressive deals for their emerging stars.
Harvey Elliott joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan, with a £35m obligation to buy next summer, while Jarell Quansah departed for Bayer Leverkusen, also for £35m.
Ben Gannon Doak moved to Bournemouth for £25m, and Tyler Morton headed to Lyon for £15m.
These deals illustrate how Liverpool balance long-term planning with immediate financial prudence, often selling young players at the peak of their market value to reinvest in first-team quality.
Where Are They Now
Liverpool’s approach highlights their willingness to nurture talent in-house and then sell at the right time.
By capitalising on these transfer opportunities, the club can maintain squad balance while generating funds for strategic signings.
Liverpool’s original Wirtz is a fine example of that.
Liverpool's original Wirtz
One of the standout examples of Liverpool’s successful youth sales is Fabio Carvalho.
The 23-year-old midfielder joined Liverpool from Fulham in 2022 for just £5m, having made 44 appearances for the Cottagers, scoring 12 goals and registering eight assists.
Jürgen Klopp was a fan of the young talent, seeing in him a player with the vision and technical ability that the Bundesliga’s official website claimed was reminiscent of Florian Wirtz.
Carvalho’s time at Anfield, however, was challenging. Like Wirtz in the embryonic stages of his Anfield stay, he has struggled.
The former Fulham man made just 21 appearances for Liverpool, scoring three goals, including a dramatic last-minute winner against Newcastle, but he struggled to cement a regular starting role.
Loan spells at RB Leipzig and Hull City followed, before a permanent move to Brentford last summer for £27.5m.
The sale represented a 450% profit on Liverpool’s initial investment, showcasing the club’s ability to develop talent and sell at the right moment.
Carvalho’s statistics highlight why Liverpool’s decision to sell him made sense.
Matches Played
13
Minutes Played
347
Goals
2
Progressive Carries
9
Progressive Passes
12
After making the switch to the Bees, he averaged 1.76 progressive carries per 90, completed 3.33 progressive passes per 90, and managed 2.37 shots per 90 with a shot on target percentage of 41.7%.
He completed 34.9 passes per 90 minutes with a pass completion rate of 70.8%, and his progressive passing distance per 90 was 86.7 metres.
His shot-creating actions per 90 sat at 1.97. While these numbers indicate promise, they also illustrate the gap between Carvalho and his elite contemporaries.
While Carvalho’s technical style was previously likened to Wirtz, particularly for his first touch, vision, and ability to turn quickly under pressure, it’s safe to say there is a seismic difference in quality.
Indeed, the German superstar enjoyed a stellar season last year with 22 goal involvements.
He averaged 5.02 progressive carries per 90, 6.74 progressive passes per 90, and 2.83 shots per 90 with 47.3% on target.
The Germany international completed 52.5 passes per 90 with a pass completion rate of 78.3% and accumulated 198.1 metres of progressive passing per 90.
He also generated 5.66 shot-creating actions per 90. The statistical comparison underlines why Liverpool opted to sell Carvalho.
Fabio Carvalho Liverpool
Wirtz clearly outdoes him in multiple attacking metrics, particularly in goal contributions, progressive play, and chance creation.
However, Carvalho’s style, combining technical vision and composure, suggests that with regular game time he could still flourish in a competitive Premier League environment, as he has begun to at Brentford.
Ultimately, the sale of Carvalho demonstrates Liverpool’s dual strategy: build a squad capable of competing at the highest level, while monetising promising academy talent to reinvest in first-team needs.
Whilst it may be upsetting to see promising talent move on, the club’s market strategy highlights a balance between ambition and smart business.
Slot can bench Wirtz by unleashing Liverpool star who's "Gerrard-esque"
Florian Wirtz has endured a tough start at Liverpool.
Newcastle United’s need for a striker before next Monday’s transfer deadline has never been clearer.
With Alexander Isak still on strike and surely out of action when the Toon visit Leeds United next week, regardless of the outcome of his present situation, it was inconceivable that Anthony Gordon should get himself sent off against Liverpool at St. James’ Park.
Anthony Gordon is sent off for Newcastle
The Magpies lost to Liverpool on Tyneside, but it was an incredible contest that showcased all the good of Eddie Howe’s side, even when so much went wrong.
But, even so, the desperate need for a number nine was accentuated, and a bid continues for Premier League forward Jørgen Strand Larsen.
The latest on Strand Larsen to Newcastle
Whether Liverpool sign Isak at some point this week is anyone’s guess, but Newcastle’s bid to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers’ rangy frontman remains a priority focus regardless.
The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope corroborated news on Monday that the Magpies saw a £50m offer rejected for the Norwegian, and they are expected to return with an improved bid.
Hope made it clear that Larsen is being chased with a view toward him succeeding Callum Wilson, who left Tyneside at the end of his contract in June and has since signed for West Ham United.
Strand Larsen scored 14 Premier League goals last season, playing an instrumental role for the Old Gold as they staved off the threat of relegation.
But whether he’s the right frontman for Newcastle, for a figure sure to be in excess of £50m, is another question. Especially when there’s a younger and more exciting name on United’s shortlist.
Newcastle discuss move for Strand Larsen alternative
As per The Athletic, Newcastle have discussed a move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Goncalo Ramos as the transfer window is reduced to less than a week before closure.
Ramos, 24, has struggled to nail down a regular starting berth in Luis Enrique’s super-team, but he’s still showcased his quality across the past two years, and was tracked by the Tynesiders during his Benfica days.
PSG appear open to selling, but the Portugal international wouldn’t come cheap. It’s been mooted this month that Ramos would fetch a fee in the region of £55m.
What Ramos would bring to Newcastle
Ramos has started the 2025/26 season strongly, bagging against Tottenham Hotspur in the dramatic Super Cup victory earlier this month before starting PSG’s Ligue 1 opener against Nantes.
Newcastle’s need for a new number nine borders on desperation, but they won’t let themselves be fleeced. Having seen a £50m offer rejected for Strand Larsen, might it be better to instead invest the set-aside funds in Ramos, whose dynamic profile aligns more with what Howe would need if Isak is to leave St. James’ Park this week.
Hailed for his “outrageous” performances on the international stage by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Ramos is a prolific striker, and no mistake. His clinical value in dangerous positions could admittedly do with some work, but he creates space regularly through expert usage of his mobility and physical attributes, and thus maintains a steady goalscoring flow.
25/26 – PSG
3
1
0
24/25 – PSG
46
19
6
23/24 – PSG
40
14
2
22/23 – Benfica
47
27
8
21/22 – Benfica
46
8
4
20/21 – Benfica
12
4
0
19/20 – Benfica
1
2
0
And, according to data platform FBref, the Iberian striker ranks among the top 5% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues for goals scored,
While Strand Larsen has provided proof of his ability to score goals and perform convincingly in the Premier League, whereas Ramos has not, the latter man has highlighted performances at the highest level, including (but not limited to) that hat-trick at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Goncalo Ramos celebrates PSG's Super Cup victory against Tottenham Hotspur on penalties.
14 goals were scored by the 25-year-old in last year’s Premier League edition, but he also completed only 65% of his passes, lost 68% of his duels and averaged just 0.2 dribbles per game, as per Sofascore.
There’s nothing wrong with that; Strand Larsen is a powerful target man, after all. But it’s inconceivable that he should replace Isak, one of the most complete strikers in the business.
Of course, Newcastle chiefs have maintained that their interest in the Scandinavian is linked to Wilson’s departure, and not Isak’s possible exit.
Ultimately, Newcastle could do with two strikers, should Isak leave. Efforts are maintained for Brentford marksman Yoane Wissa, but that’s why Ramos’ profile could be so important for the Tynesiders, injecting dynamic athleticism without detracting from goalscoring, that core tenet of the striker’s game.
Wissa, like Strand Larsen, is limited in terms of technical scope, but he’s still proven himself to be a deadly Premier League striker with impressive link-up play besides. Given that the 28-year-old would ostensibly come at a cheaper price than his Wolves positional peer, he should be the priority.
And, in that case, Ramos must be targeted over a second bid for Strand Larsen, with the Portuguese man sure to bring goals and an electric presence too.
After the past few months of misery on the transfer front, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether Newcastle manage to sign a striker worth their salt – let alone two.
But it’s clear who they should move for after the latest series of rejected bids. Don’t blink: Newcastle are bound to ramp up the gas and seal a signature before the end of the month.
He's like Isak: Newcastle make late approach to sign £61m Wissa alternative
Newcastle continue to search for strikers as the summer transfer window enters the final week.
O Palmeiras enfrenta o Cruzeiro, nesta segunda-feira (14), às 19h, no Allianz Parque, pela 19ª rodada do Brasileirão. Seria apenas mais uma jornada do campeonato nacional, não fosse o fato de as equipes se reencontrarem pela primeira vez após quatro anos. E como era de se esperar, muita coisa mudou desde o último embate entre esses rivais históricos na arena alviverde. Para se ter noção, o técnico do Verdão era Mano Menezes e o da Raposa era Rogério Ceni.
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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
No dia 14 de setembro de 2019, Palmeiras e Cruzeiro entraram em campo também pela 19ª rodada do Brasileirão. O Alviverde era o terceiro colocado na tabela, enquanto o time mineiro era o primeiro fora da zona da degola, já dando sinais do que viria pela frente no campeonato. Lembrando que a Raposa caiu naquele ano e voltou apenas em 2023 para a Série A, por isso a demora para esse reencontro.
+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!
A formação palmeirense escalada por Mano Menezes era: Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Gómez, Vitor Hugo e Diogo Barbosa; Felipe Melo, Bruno Henrique e Gustavo Scarpa; Dudu, Willian Bigode e Luiz Adriano. Zé Rafael, Lucas Lima e Borja entraram durante a partida. Ou seja, uma equipe bastante diferente da que temos hoje, mas com algumas figuras ainda presentes.
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Weverton, Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Gómez e Dudu seguem no clube e participaram de toda essa fase gloriosa dos últimos anos. Zé Rafael, que entrou durante o jogo é outro personagem essencial para esta atual era de títulos. No banco, Luan estava entre os relacionados, mas não foi a campo, lembrando que naquela época apenas três substituições eram permitidas. Assim, apenas seis atletas são remanescentes daquele dia.
+ Palmeiras x Cruzeiro: onde assistir, desfalques e prováveis escalações do jogo pelo Brasileirão
O autor do gol alviverde foi o volante Bruno Henrique, ainda no primeiro tempo. O volante deixou o Verdão em 2020 rumo ao futebol da Arábia Saudita e em 2023 retornou ao Brasil para defender o Internacional. Pelo lado cruzeirense, nenhum jogador relacionado para aquela partida segue no clube até hoje. Uma curiosidade é que no banco de reservas estava Rogério Ceni, que fez contra o Palmeiras uma de seus oito duelos como técnico da Raposa.
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Ainda falando em técnicos, vale destacar que Abel Ferreira nunca enfrentou o Cruzeiro, nem no Allianz Parque, nem em Minas Gerais. O português está desde novembro de 2020 no Verdão e em todo esse tempo a Raposa estava na Série B do Brasileirão. É o único dos considerados grandes que o treinador alviverde ainda não enfrentou em sua passagem pelo Brasil.
+ Palmeiras reencontra o Cruzeiro quase quatro anos depois de ‘rebaixar’ o adversário; relembre o que mudou
Invicto contra o Cruzeiro há quatro jogos (a última derrota foi em 2018), o Palmeiras venceu os últimos três duelos e pode igualar a maior série de vitórias da história do clássico, atingido pelo Verdão entre 2008 e 2009 e pela Raposa entre 2003 e 2005. Retrospecto palmeiras no confronto no Allianz Parque é de seis jogos, duas vitórias, três empates, uma derrota, nove gols marcados e oito gols sofridos.
Crystal Palace manager Olivier Glasner has denied reports he has his heart set on taking over at Bayern Munich. The Austrian coach had previously been linked with Bayern in 2024 as the Bundesliga champions looked for Thomas Tuchel's replacement and claims he is still dreaming of sitting in the hot seat at Allianz Arena.
Glasner's links to Bayern
Bayern reportedly approached Glasner to replace Tuchel earlier in 2024, but a deal could not be reached with Crystal Palace, who reportedly demanded a compensation of €100 million (£86m/$125.5m) to release the Austrian coach, causing the move to collapse. According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Glasner still harbours ambitions of a future move to Bayern and had even pushed to include a release clause in his contract. The speculation prompted Glasner to respond to the media regarding the report
AdvertisementGetty Images SportCrystal Palace boss responds to rumours
Glasner responded to the rumours linking him to Bayern, saying: "Someone claimed I actually want to become Bayern Munich's coach. It amuses me when other people know what I want without having spoken to me.
"I follow the media relatively little. I've stopped following the media too much, regardless of victory or defeat, because I've noticed that a lot of nonsense is being written."
Glasner thriving at Palace after FA Cup success
Crystal Palace’s 2-1 defeat to Everton at the weekend ended their remarkable 19-game unbeaten run across all competitions which began last season. A highlight of that streak was Palace’s historic FA Cup triumph over Manchester City, securing the club’s first-ever major trophy. The run also saw Palace rise to sixth in the Premier League table, just eight points behind current leaders Arsenal. Since then, the coach has been linked with a move to Manchester United, but firmly denied those rumours.
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Getty Images SportGlasner and Palace's expectation this season
Glasner will look to remain at Crystal Palace, building on the solid foundations he established over the past season and aiming to secure Champions League qualification, which would further enhance his reputation.
PBKS were off to another quick start, reaching 39 for 0 in 3.1 overs, but it unravelled quickly thereon
ESPNcricinfo staff15-Apr-2025
Harshit Rana dismissed the PBKS top three•Associated Press
After restricting Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to 103 for 9 in their last match, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bowled out Punjab Kings (PBKS) for 111 in Mullanpur.A power-packed batting unit, PBKS were coming off a score of 245 in their last match and raced away to 39 for 0 in 3.1 overs. However, Harshit Rana led KKR’s comeback with incisive short-pitched bowling and three wickets, KKR debutant Anrich Nortje chipped in with one, and their two big spinners took two wickets each to consign PBKS to ignominy.Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh got off to another excellent start when KKR looked for early swing through Vaibhav Arora. Once they saw the openers take the pitched-up deliveries for boundaries, the KKR fast bowlers made sure almost nothing was pitched in the batters’ half.All of Rana’s three wickets came off the short ball. He handcuffed Arya with one in the ribs, getting him caught at backward square leg. A short and wide ball to Shreyas Iyer resulted in a vicious cut straight to deep point for a duck. Prabhsimran kept the intent up but ended up getting caught at point off the last ball of the powerplay.KKR had added pace to their line-up possibly because PBKS’ Indian batters have been doing well. You could say the Indian batters ended up picking out deep fielders, but the non-Indian batters disappointed PBKS more. Neither Josh Inglis nor Glenn Maxwell picked Varun Chakravarthy from the hand. Both were bowled, Inglis on the slog-sweep and Maxwell when defending.PBKS even called in an SOS batting substitute in Suryansh Shedge, which meant Maxwell would have to bowl four overs. The wickets still kept falling. Sunil Narine took two out in the 11th over, Shedge with one that turned away and Marco Jansen with the other one that turned in.Vaibhav Arora, almost as if feeling FOMO, came back to take out Shashank Singh, the final piece of batting in PBKS.
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.
Kelechi’s Premier League career
Season (appearances)
Goals
Assists
22/23 (28)
5
5
21/22 (26)
4
5
20/21 (25)
12
2
19/20 (20)
5
5
18/19 (30)
1
3
17/18 (21)
3
3
16/17 (20)
4
3
15/16 (26)
8
1
Stats via Transfermarkt
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.
Kelechi Iheanacho at Leicester.
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.
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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.
While his time at the club didn’t end in the way many hoped it would, it’s impossible to overstate the impact Arsène Wenger had at Arsenal.
The Professor, as he was often referred to, helped turn the club into an international powerhouse during his 22 years at the helm, winning three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups, and seven Community Shields.
He also brought some of the best international players the league had ever seen to North London, including Thierry Henry, Robert Pirès, and Cesc Fàbregas.
The young Spaniard was sensational during his time at the club, and it looks like Mikel Arteta could have found his own version, and we aren’t talking about Martin Zubimendi.
Fàbregas' early Arsenal career
Arsenal agreed to pay Barcelona around £2m to sign Fàbregas in the summer of 2003, and while that now looks like a bargain, you have to remember he was still just 16 years old at the time.
He made his full first-team debut just a few months later, starting a League Cup game against Rotherham United in October, although he would finish that season with just three appearances and a goal to his name.
The following campaign would be very different indeed, though, as he would go on to make 46 appearances for the side, with 33 coming in the league.
Moreover, despite not even being 20 years old, the tremendously exciting Spaniard played a key role in the Gunners’ FA Cup triumph that year, making six appearances, five of which were starts and playing 86 minutes of the final against Manchester United.
By this point, it was crystal clear that the North Londoners had got their hands on a truly world-class player, and talent scout Jacke Kulig would later put it, he was “one of the best U21s in Premier League history.”
The following season saw him help the club reach their first Champions League final, and while they lost 2-1 to his former club, the Arenys de Mar-born ace played 74 minutes, even though he was still just 19.
In recognition of his ability and importance to the team, the mercurial midfielder was named captain in November 2008.
Appearances
303
Starts
266
Minutes
23847′
Goals
57
Assists
95
Goal Involvements per Match
0.50
Minutes per Goal Involvement
156.88
Points per Game
1.99
However, much to the disappointment of the Emirates faithful, he would eventually push for a move back to Barça in the summer of 2011, with a tally of 57 goals and 95 assists in 303 games for the club.
In all, Fàbregas remains one of the most exciting young players to have ever played for Arsenal, but there is someone in the current squad who could also be in line for similar praise a few years from now, and we aren’t talking about fellow Spaniard Zubimendi.
Arsenal's new Fàbregas
Now, there is certainly an argument to be made that Zubimendi could be looked upon as the ‘new’ Fàbregas due to his technical skill and the fact that he’s a midfielder.
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However, in this instance, the player is a little more left-field: Cristhian Mosquera.
Yes, we know that he plays in a totally different position and, therefore, style to the former Arsenal star, but there remain a few key similarities between the pair.
First and foremost, like the Gunners’ former midfield maestro, the impressive centre-back has moved to the North Londoners at a very young age.
Granted, at 19, he is three years older than Cesc was, but as centre-backs tend to hit their peak two years later than midfielders, they are at a fairly similar point development-wise.
Moreover, even though he’s made the move while still being just a teenager, the former Valencia ace already looks utterly at ease in the Premier League and Champions League.
For example, he didn’t look remotely out of place when he came on for the injured William Saliba at Anfield.
Then, in the games against Nottingham Forest and Athletic Bilbao, he helped to keep two clean sheets while completing a staggering 75 passes in both games.
In fact, the 6 foot 3 “monster,” as dubbed by one analyst, has adapted to life in North London so well that one Arsenal content creator has gone as far as labelling him the “signing of the summer.”
In other words, we expect the Alicante-born titan to become a key member of the squad very quickly despite his age, much in the same way that Fàbregas did when he joined over 20 years ago.
Then, there are also the other, more surface-level similarities, such as both being Spanish and making the move to England from La Liga sides.
Ultimately, Arsenal look like they have hit the jackpot with Mosquera, and we would not be surprised to see him develop into a player as important to the club as Fàbregas once was.
Arsenal fans gave £60m ace the Madueke treatment all summer, now he's set to star
The Arsenal star could be in for a career revival this season.
This summer has very much been about the incomings as far as Arsenal are concerned. It’s been unprecedented too. We were promised it would be.
Nine days ago, the Gunners confirmed the marquee arrival of Eberechi Eze, who signed from Crystal Palace, eventually fulfilling his dream of playing for the Arsenal first-team.
With that move finalised, we all thought Andrea Berta and Co were done in the market. Well, think again. They have tied up a move for Bayer Leverkusen on transfer deadline day, a switch that allows Jakub Kiwior to head for Porto.
That move takes the club’s spending past £300m, something that meant sales had to be made.
How Arsenal's transfer window ended
Hincapie has moved to the Emirates Stadium in a deal worth around £45m, lower than his proposed release clause of £52m.
Initially signed on a season-long loan move, it’s a switch that will become permanent next summer, allowing for Arsenal to balance the books in the meantime.
So, how will they balance those books? Well, Albert Sambi-Lokonga departed the Gunners for Hamburg on transfer deadline day, joining Reiss Nelson in fleeing.
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Nelson will depart north London but remain in the capital, heading to Brentford on a loan move that could become permanent next summer.
Arsenal have also tried to move on Oleksandr Zinchenko who received interest from Marseille but he ultimately stayed with Mikel Arteta’s side. It’s unlikely he’ll receive many minutes with Hincapie having now signed.
Yet, there was another move that happened, one that signified the end of one of Arteta’s worst signings since becoming the club’s manager.
Arsenal sell player similar to Martin Odegaard
Back in 2022, Arsenal agreed a £34.2m move to bring one of Europe’s most exciting young playmakers to the club.
It wasn’t one met with a huge amount of fanfare but Fabio Vieira’s arrival was a crafty one as they looked to provide competition for Martin Odegaard.
Indeed, during his time at the Emirates, club icon Gilberto admitted that he was like the Norwegian, saying: “In terms of his style and the coach’s vision, he’s very close to (Martin) Odegaard. He has good ideas and dynamics, but he has to recognise that and the quality he has.”
Sadly, Vieira didn’t realise that hotly-tipped potential. He played just 50 times for Arsenal, scoring four goals and supplying ten assists. That tally of assists isn’t a bad haul by any means but the fact of the matter is that the Portuguese looked far too lightweight to make it in the Premier League.
A loan spell with boyhood club, Porto, rather sealed his fate in 2024/25. Granted time to show what he was capable of, the now 25-year-old scored just five goals and supplied six assists, hardly numbers that inspired Arteta to give him another go.
Appearances
33
17
Goals
2
2
Assists
6
4
As a consequence, the big-money signing was told to find a new club and he finally did so on transfer deadline day.
Coincidentally, Vieira joined Lokonga in Hamburg, heading to join the German side on an initial loan move.
The Athletic reported earlier on Monday that he had been given permission to fly to Germany to undergo a medical.
It marks the end of a really disappointing stay with Arsenal. From being tipped to take up an Odegaard-like role in the side, he leaves London behind as a forgotten figure.
Manchester United are now expected to make a £60m offer for a “physical beast” in the January transfer window, as a replacement for a current first-team player.
Man Utd looking to bolster defence after shaky start
Man United are yet to keep a clean sheet across the six games they’ve played in all competitions this season, with even League Two Grimsby Town managing to get the better of Andre Onana twice in the EFL Cup second round at the end of August.
Ruben Amorim has tried to address one of the issues by bringing in Senne Lammens at the end of the summer window, but the 23-year-old is yet to start, with Altay Bayindir keeping his place in the starting XI.
It remains to be seen what sort of impact Lammens can make, given that the Belgian is still young, and is yet to prove himself in a major league, having only ever played in Belgium.
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As such, the Red Devils have now started looking at other ways in which they can shore things up at the back, and they have now set their sights on a Premier League defender.
That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which states Man United are now the club showing the strongest interest in signing Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, who could be brought in as a replacement for Harry Maguire.
Liverpool and two other unnamed top flight clubs are keen on Branthwaite, but United’s interest may well be the most advanced, given that they are expected to make a £60m bid for his services in the January transfer window.
It is unclear whether the Toffees would be willing to sanction a departure, but the 23-year-old wants a big move, and United still have plenty of pulling power.
"Physical beast" Branthwaite could be solid Maguire replacement
A towering presence at 6’5, the Everton defender is slightly taller than Maguire, and could have the ability to succeed at Old Trafford, having been lauded as a two-footed “ball-playing physical beast” by scout Ben Mattinson.
At just 23-years-old, the defender is at the right age to be a long-term success at United, and he has already established himself in the Premier League over the previous two seasons with Everton, with Jordan Pickford left particularly impressed.
Due to a hamstring injury, the Englishman is yet to feature for Everton this season, but he was solid throughout the 2024-25 campaign in the Premier League, averaging a 7.02 SofaScore rating, compared to 6.91 from Maguire.
There are question marks over whether £60m may be a little pricey, given that Branthwaite is yet to establish himself at international level, but he is clearly a talented defender, still in the early stages of his career.