All posts by n8rngtd.top

After a tense deadline-day stand-off between himself and chairman Steve Parish, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has reportedly been handed an exit route out of the South London club.

Why Crystal Palace blocked Guehi's move

Marc Guehi said his goodbyes, recorded a farewell video and even completed a medical at Liverpool but when the deadline arrived, he remained a Crystal Palace player. It was the biggest twist that took place late on as the Reds missed out on their first top target of the summer and the Eagles, out of nowhere, pulled the plug on their captain’s move.

In a civil war between Glasner and Parish, it was the Crystal Palace manager that came out on top. The Austrian was desperate to keep hold of Guehi. It didn’t make sense – he believed – to sell not only Eberechi Eze, but Guehi too just months after winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Europa Conference League.

There were even talks that Glasner threatened to walk away from his role if Crystal Palace allowed Guehi to complete a move away on deadline day and Parish wasn’t waiting around to find out if his manager was bluffing. As soon as Igor Julio chose West Ham United over Selhurst Park, Guehi’s move was brought to a crashing halt.

It was a tense summer since the very start of the window for Palace for several reasons and deadline day very nearly saw those tensions reach boiling point.

For now, Glasner remains in charge and Guehi remains the club captain, but there will be question marks over whether the damage is already done for the manager.

Bayer Leverkusen want Glasner

As reported by The Sun, Bayer Leverkusen now want to hire Glasner to replace Erik ten Hag, who has been sacked by the German club after just three games in charge. The Crystal Palace manager has just one year left on his current deal, but could leave before he has the chance to walk away for free if Leverkusen officially come calling.

The Austrian has plenty of experience in the Bundesliga and there’s no doubt that he would be an excellent appointment for Leverkusen. It would also be an almighty blow for Palace, of course, who just about managed to satisfy Glasner’s demands by keeping Guehi at the death.

Having taken charge of Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt in previous years – even winning the Europa League with the latter – Leverkusen would make perfect sense for Glasner.

It would, however, take Palace back to square one and life before Glasner didn’t feature a single trophy and certainly didn’t feature European football. He should be deemed irreplaceable at Selhurst Park, but it is a task that Parish will still have to complete when his contract comes to an end next summer.

Luis Ángel Malagón and Raúl Rangel have been the goalkeepers most often called up by Mexico manager Javier Aguirre since he took over last year. Both are vying for the starting spot at the 2026 World Cup — but Aguirre had a clear warning: don’t get too comfortable. The list of contenders keeps growing, and legend Guillermo Ochoa won’t be guaranteed anything at that position.

• AFP
  

  Goalkeepers in contention for World Cup spot

  The goalkeeping situation for the Mexican national team has become one of the main talking points just months before the World Cup. According to Aguirre, the starting spot between the posts is still up for grabs – even though América’s Luis Ángel Malagón has been his go-to choice in key tournaments such as the Nations League and the Gold Cup.

  “We’ve tested several young goalkeepers [at the position],” he said. “Just because Malagón and ‘Tala’ [Rangel] have been regulars doesn’t mean they’re untouchable. Everyone makes mistakes, and the competition remains open.”

  Chivas goalkeeper Raúl ‘Tala’ Rangel has regularly been the backup under Aguirre, but the race is far from settled. Veteran Guillermo Ochoa is hoping to make history by playing in his sixth World Cup, which would set a new record for the most tournament appearances by a Mexican player. Meanwhile, Santos Laguna’s Carlos Acevedo has returned for this international window, and other names like Carlos Moreno, Alex Padilla, and Sebastián Jurado remain in contention.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'I don’t hand out spots'

  Ochoa recently found a new club in AEL Limassol of Cyprus and has already made three appearances, but his place in the final World Cup squad is not guaranteed. In an interview with TUDN, Aguirre emphasized that no one – not even Ochoa – will receive special treatment.

  “Memo is doing fine right now,” Aguirre said. “But we haven’t even discussed the six-World-Cup milestone – not at all. If he’s playing and in good form, he’ll compete like everyone else. I don’t hand out spots, and Memo knows that. In fact, he prefers it that way.”

  Despite that stance, the coach acknowledged the unique value Ochoa brings to the squad.

  “The experience Memo has is unmatched,” Aguirre added. “The composure, the calm he transmits, and his leadership in the locker room – no one else has that. He’s spent many years abroad, and that gives him an edge you can’t buy. He knows how to guide the younger players, how to lead by example. Watching him train, you can see why he’s been at the top for so long.”

• AFP
  

  Acevedo back in the mix

  The coach concluded by emphasizing that it’s a healthy battle among five or six players, including Ochoa, to earn one of the three coveted goalkeeping spots for the 2026 World Cup.

  One of the names in the spotlight is Acevedo, who is in the midst of a breakout season for Santos Laguna. 

  “I’m happy and proud to be here, grateful for the opportunity to wear Mexico’s jersey, and eager to work hard to earn a place,”  he said in an interview with Mexico's official site. 

  The goalkeeper has six caps, with his last appearance coming in 2023. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• AFP
  

  What comes next?

  Mexico face two high-level opponents during this October international window. First up is Colombia, with the match set for Saturday at AT&T Stadium, followed by a clash against Ecuador next Tuesday at the Estadio Arkon in Guadalajara.

With time running out at Ibrox for Russell Martin, Glasgow Rangers are now reportedly targeting a move to hire a former La Liga coach who they previously had contact with.

Managers that could replace Martin at Rangers

He’s had just five games in the Scottish Premiership, but Ibrox has already seen enough of Martin. Boos echoed around Ibrox when he emerged from the dressing room for the second-half last weekend and those boos only increased when Rangers were condemned to their first home defeat against Hearts since 2014.

With the writing on the wall for the former Southampton boss, the focus has instantly turned towards the candidates that could arrive to replace Martin in Scotland.

On that front, one name already mentioned has been Steven Gerrard. The last manager to win the Scottish Premiership with the Gers, having dethroned Celtic in 2020/21, Gerrard certainly knows what it takes to bring success to Rangers. Whether fans are ready to forgive him for moving to Aston Villa midway through the 2021/22 campaign is another question, however.

Rangers must regret losing the Harry Kane of Scottish football for nothing

Rangers had their own version of Harry Kane and Michael Beale watched him walk away for nothing.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 18, 2025

Meanwhile, a move for Jose Mourinho can now be ruled out. The former Chelsea boss has moved back to Portugal to become the new Benfica manager. It goes without saying, though, that affording his wages would have been a tough task for Rangers.

So the question as to just who could replace Martin remains unanswered. With Mourinho ruled out and Gerrard perhaps a choice that will split opinion, the Gers could turn their focus towards a former La Liga coach.

Rangers eyeing summer target Davide Ancelotti

As reported by The Daily Record, Rangers are once again eyeing a move for Davide Ancelotti to replace Martin. The former Real Madrid assistant coach has found himself back on the Gers’ radar after hitting a difficult spell at Botafogo, which could yet end in his dismissal. If that does prove to be the case, then he could be available just in time for Rangers to swoop in.

Ancelotti should be someone that the 49ers are already very familiar with. It was reportedly between the Spaniard and Martin for the job in the summer, with contact made with both, before the Gers ultimately made a choice that they’ve come to regret.

That said, hiring Ancelotti would also come with its risks. In his first managerial job, Carlo Ancelotti’s son has ultimately struggled after initially getting off to a solid start. Questions would rightly be asked if Rangers hired a manager who has won two of his last eight games at his current club.

Whether it’s Gerrard, Ancelotti or another option, Rangers’ next potential manager cannot afford to get off to a poor start. Those at Ibrox already sit 10th and in an increasingly concerning position.

Manchester City's Champions League visit to Villarreal should have been a triumphant homecoming for Rodri, a return to the club that made him. But the midfielder will get no warm welcome back from his former fans at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Tuesday as he instead recovers from a hamstring injury that has raised further doubts over his ability to get back to his best a year after undergoing knee surgery.

Rodri was born in Madrid and took his first steps in organised football with Rayo Majadahonda and then Atletico Madrid, but he became a professional with Villarreal. Atletico let him go in 2013 as they believed he lacked the physical presence needed to make it so, aged 17, he moved to the Yellow Submarine. Not wanting to put all his eggs in one basket, he also enrolled in a degree in Business Studies at the University of Castellon and moved into student accommodation.

And when he broke into the Villarreal first team in 2015, his fellow students were shocked to see the midfielder who was coming up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi each week walk past them in hallways on their way to doing laundry. "People flipped out when they saw Rodri still living in student halls when he started playing in La Liga," friend Valentin Henarejos told . "He shared space with everyone. He liked to be with his friends or sit on the sofa with everyone. But of course people were shocked to see him play ping pong or put on the washing machine.

"When he got to La Liga he didn't change on a personal level, he lived the same way training, travelling to matches, resting and studying. He managed the step up well."

Rodri, who drove an Opel Corsa and had a 'half-broken' mobile phone when he was starting out, said Villarreal "gave me everything" and was "the ideal place to grow as a footballer", but he did not stick around long. Atletico signed Rodri in the summer of 2018 for €20 million just before he had turned 22, and one year later more than tripled their investment when he was sold to Manchester City for €70m (£62.5m), where he became the Cityzens' record signing at the time. 

It proved to be money very well spent as Rodri helped guide City to four successive Premier League titles and scored the goal that delivered them the Champions League at long last. Having helped Spain win Euro 2024 – their first major international trophy for 12 years – he won the Ballon d'Or, the first-ever City player to do so and the first Spaniard since Luis Suarez in 1960. Not bad for an aspiring business student!

But Rodri now faces a careeer crossroads as the niggling injuries have piled up since he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in September 2024. There are genuine fears that that he will never be the same player again, certainly not the resilient athlete who could play every match and practically guarantee that his team would win whenever he was on the field.

• AFP
  

  Still hope

  Many great players have never been the same again after suffering ACL injuries. Radamel Falcao, for example, was a shadow of the player he once was after injuring his knee for Monaco in 2014, as he missed the World Cup with Colombia before then bombing with Manchester United and Chelsea, though he did stage a slight resurgence once back at Monaco. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, meanwhile, missed a combined three seasons due to knee issues and finally was forced to retire aged 34.

  There are also plenty of good news stories, of players who overcame long spells out on the sidelines to get back to their former heights or be even better. Ruud van Nistelrooy's move to Manchester United from PSV in 2000 was derailed by an ACL injury. but one year later he got back to full fitness and became one of the most prolific strikers to ever grace Old Trafford. Ronaldo tore his ACL in 1999 and then, in his comeback game, ruptured tendons in his kneecap; less than two years later he fired Brazil to glory at the 2002 World Cup and then earned a move to Real Madrid. Roy Keane missed most of the 1997-98 season due to ACL tear but then led United to the treble in 1999, while in 2000 he scooped the PFA Player of the Year award.

  More recently, Eder Militao has torn the ACL in each of his knees within the past two years but has returned to being a regular for Real Madrid and Brazil, while his club team-mate Dani Carvajal is also back for Madrid after suffering a triple knee injury last year.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Worst case scenario

  Rodri, though, suffered one of the worst case scenarios when it comes to knee injuries. There are two menisci in each knee, the medial (inside) and lateral (outside), while the ACL connects them. Although the ACL is one of the main ligaments in the knee, the menisci are as important as they absorb shock between the shin and thigh bones, helping stabilise the knee and protect it from wear and tear. 

  While between 50 and 70 per cent of people who tear their ACL also damage one of their meniscus as well, only around a third of people tear all three. Rodri was one of the unlucky ones, suffering what is known in medical circles as 'the terrible triad'. ACL surgeon Gordon Mackay told that tearing the outer cartilage means "a more challenging recovery, more challenging surgery, and a less predictable outcome". 

  Rodri was treated by Dr Manuel Leyes, who runs the Olympia clinic in Madrid that operated on Carvajal, Luis Suarez, Sergio Ramos and Zinedine Zidane, among other notable athletes from the NFL and the NBA. Leyes told that "Rodri has a good head on his shoulders and is surrounded by a team that advises him very well," but he and manager Pep Guardiola appear to have disagreed on the timescale of his recovery.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'Big' injury at Club World Cup

  As far back as January, Guardiola warned of the danger of Rodri returning too soon. “He's positive but I don't know to be honest. An ACL is an ACL. Always I believe in long injuries there's a time you must respect because of the human body. The most important thing for Rodri now is to recover well. You're not a teenager anymore but still you have years to play. And it's going to happen if you recover well. If you can get back for one week, one month and [take a] step back for next season it's not intelligent."

  Guardiola had said shortly after Rodri underwent surgery that he could be out for between nine and 12 months, and yet he returned to the pitch just under eight months after he suffered the injury against Arsenal, playing 10 minutes in the penultimate game of City's Premier League campaign against Bournemouth. But the big mistake, with hindsight, seems to have been taking Rodri to the Club World Cup.

  In the United States, Guardiola again repeated his message of being careful with Rodri and only introduced him for the final half-hour against Wydad Casablanca and Al Ain. He then started Rodri against Juventus, giving him just over an hour, but returned him to the bench for the last-16 clash with Al-Hilal. Guardiola brought his star midfielder on in the second half as his team were trailing 2-1, but was then forced to take Rodri off again in extra-time due to a groin problem. Months later, Guardiola admitted it was "a big injury" and explained that Rodri would not start the season.

  "Hopefully after the international break, he will be really fit," he said. "Hopefully in these games, he can play some minutes, but what is important is that he doesn't have pain because we don't want Rodri coming back injured. We will try desperately to avoid that."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'Lot of pain'

  Rodri got 15 minutes against Tottenham and played 90 minutes against Brighton, the first time he had completed a match in 11 months, to open the campaign, and Guardiola's wish seemed to have come true as Rodri started against Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal in the space of seven days, playing a combined 226 minutes of a a potential 270. 

  But one week later, he was left out of the squad against Burnley, with Guardiola making the concerning revelation that during training in the build-up to the game, Rodri had told him: "I'm not able to play. I have a lot of pain in my knee." 

  A few days later, Guardiola warned that Rodri could not cope with City's usual schedule. "He is not injured, but in the tendon he has a difficulty," Guardiola said before City played Monaco. "The week before was so demanding with [Manchester] United, Napoli and especially Arsenal, and right now he's not able to play three games in a week at a top, top, top level – top intensity, demanding opponents. My feeling right now is he is not ready because he needs time. This type of injury, it is minimum one year and after that you start. Be patient and he dictates. If he feels not good, it's better to rest."

Manchester City are now leading the race for a Manchester United and Newcastle United target, and could open talks in the near future.

Man City looking to strengthen defence after late blow at Arsenal

Man City came agonisingly close to making a real statement by winning at the Emirates Stadium, but Gabriel Martinelli’s goal ensured the spoils were shared, despite Pep Guardiola adapting his tactics significantly.

The City boss employed a very defensive system, which so nearly got the job done against the Gunners, with Gary Neville claiming a similar game plan has never been implemented by Pep before.

Man City struck gold on "wonderful" talent worth more than Doku & Reijnders

Manchester City are reaping the rewards of Pep Guardiola’s faith in one rising star at the Etihad.

By
Robbie Walls

Sep 21, 2025

Neville said: “I thought that it might be hard to create moments but how it played out, obviously City getting the early goal and then Pep resorting to a way of playing that I’ve never seen before, but I really liked it.

“It wasn’t a criticism when I was talking during the game, I really enjoyed the fact that he went to 5-4-1.”

With Rayan Ait-Nouri sidelined due to injury, Nico O’Reilly was given the nod at left-back, and the 20-year-old put in a solid performance, making six clearances and two tackles to keep Arsenal at bay.

However, according to a report from Caught Offside, Man City have also now joined the race for a new left-back, having identified Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown as a transfer target.

Brown is also of interest to Newcastle, Man United and Arsenal, but City are leading the race for his signature, alongside Arsenal, with the two potential Premier League title rivals expected to open talks in the near future.

Brown may be unnecessary signing for Man City

There are question marks over whether the left-back is a necessary signing, given that Pep already has plenty of options at left-back, with Ait-Nouri and O’Reilly on the books, and the latter put in an impressive display against the Gunners.

That said, the German defender has put in some impressive performances for Frankfurt, having caught the eye of scout Ben Mattinson.

The Frankfurt star is also a very well-rounded defender, capable of influencing the game at both ends of the pitch, as showcased by the number of tackles, assists and non-penalty goals he’s averaged over the past year.

Brown clearly has the talent to be a success at the Etihad Stadium, but with Pep repeatedly making it clear he wants to work with a smaller squad, the City boss probably doesn’t need to sign another left-back.

Inter are prepared to spend heavily to sign Nico Paz, the 21-year-old Argentine sensation lighting up Serie A with Como. The Nerazzurri are reportedly ready to table a €58 million bid for the Real Madrid academy graduate, but Los Blancos’ €9m buy-back clause and 50% sell-on stake could derail the deal before it begins.

• Inter’s €58m move for Como star Nico Paz

  Inter are ready to make a statement in the upcoming transfer window by launching a €58m (£49m/$63m) bid for Nico Paz, the 21-year-old Argentine midfielder who has become one of Serie A’s brightest stars. Paz has impressed under Cesc Fabregas at Como, registering four goals and four assists in just seven matches, form that has attracted major European attention.

  The Nerazzurri see Paz as an ideal long-term partner for Lautaro Martinez and are eager to bring him to the San Siro. According to report from , Inter have already opened talks with the player’s entourage and are confident he would be open to a move. However, the situation is far from simple, as Real Madrid retain significant leverage in any future deal.

Advertisement

• Real Madrid’s buy-back clause complicates Inter pursuit

  Los Blancos still hold both a €9m buy-back clause, valid until June 2026, and a 50% sell-on clause for Paz, making them central to any negotiations. The midfielder left Madrid in 2024 after finding limited first-team opportunities, but his rapid rise in Italy has not gone unnoticed in Spain.

  Madrid's rights to his transfer could block the deal, as Los Blancos could either re-sign him or negotiate from a position of strength. Real’s management, reportedly are monitoring the situation closely and have not ruled out bringing Paz back to the Santiago Bernabeu next summer, depending on the squad’s evolution.

• Real Madrid’s strategic dilemma over Paz

  For Madrid, Paz’s success presents a pleasant but complex dilemma as Los Blancos could easily trigger their buy-back clause for a fraction of his current market value, yet doing so would add another midfielder to a squad already stacked with talent, including Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde. But having so many options available already could make Madrid hesitant to bring Paz back immediately, although they would still benefit financially from any transfer thanks to their 50% sell-on clause. 

  Under Fabregas, Como have become one of Serie A’s most tactically ambitious sides, and Paz has flourished in a system that allows him to express his creativity and composure on the ball. Fabregas’ mentorship has been key to Paz’s transformation from a promising academy product to a complete playmaker with vision, tempo control, and attacking precision.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images
  

  What next for Nico Paz and Inter?

  While Inter remain determined, the balance of power lies firmly with Real Madrid and the player himself. Unless the Nerazzurri can convince Paz to commit to Milan before Madrid act, their €58m pursuit may never materialise. 

  Meanwhile, Como continue their impressive Serie A campaign, as they sit sixth, just one point behind Bologna in the table after a stunning 2-0 win over Juventus, led by another masterful display from Paz. As Inter weigh their next move and Real Madrid watch from afar, one thing is certain, Paz’s future is fast becoming one of European football’s most fascinating transfer sagas.

There is no getting away from the fact that Chelsea have not had the start to the season they would’ve been hoping for.

Enzo Maresca’s side lost their opening game of their Champions League campaign, and with their defeat against Manchester United on Saturday, they have amassed just eight points in the Premier League.

Fortunately, the Blues’ League Cup clash away to Lincoln City tonight provides them with a chance to bounce back with a convincing and entertaining win.

With that said, the manager should also use it as an opportunity to play some of the younger players in the squad, like Estevao and another Cobham product.

The Chelsea youngsters who should start with Estevao

Starting from the back, tonight’s game surely gives Maresca the perfect opportunity to hand Jorrel Hato another competitive start in Blue.

The Dutchman may still only be a teenager, but he’s already got an enormous amount of experience, making 111 appearances for Ajax before leaving this summer.

Moving into the middle of the park, the manager should bring Andrey Santos into the team from the start.

The young Brazilian was brought on in the 21st minute for the West Londoners on Saturday, and all things considered, did rather well, completing 100% of his dribbles, completing 51 passes and earning a 7/10 match rating from the Standard’s Simon Collings.

Then, when it comes to the wide players, one of them has to be Estevao, who was taken off early at Old Trafford due to Robert Sanchez’s ridiculous red card.

The dynamic attacker might not have scored his first competitive goal for the club yet, but he provided a brilliant assist in the game against West Ham United and has generally looked a threat whenever he’s been on the pitch.

However, he’s not the only youngster who should be given the chance in attack tonight.

The Cobham ace who should start vs Lincoln

While every game is important for Chelsea, especially in cup competitions, the level of tonight’s opposition provides the club with an opportunity to give some academy talent a proper runout.

In The Pipeline

Therefore, Maresca should bring Shumaira Mheuka back into the squad, and not only that, but hand him what would be just his second start.

Yes, the young Englishman did get a few runouts in the first team last season, including a start against FC Copenhagen, but given his age, it would have been unfair to expect too much of him.

So with that said, why should he come back into the team tonight?

Well, simply put, because he is on fire this season.

For example, in just six appearances, totalling 523 minutes, the Birmingham-born goal machine has put the ball in the back of the net seven times for the youth sides.

In other words, the 17-year-old gem is averaging 1.16 goals every game this season, or one every 74.71, which makes it easy to see where talent scout Jacek Kulig is coming from when he describes him as “the next big thing from Cobham!”

Finally, it’s not just at club level where the youngster is flying, as in 16 appearances for England’s U19s, totalling 970 minutes, he has scored eight goals and provided three assists.

Ultimately, given the level of the opposition tonight and his recent form, Maresca should look to start Mheuka for Chelsea against Lincoln City.

Chelsea ready to open agent talks to sign "spectacular" £61m Arsenal target

The Blues are preparing to make a move for a new forward, who is also being targeted by the Gunners.

By
Dominic Lund

Sep 22, 2025

Harvey Elliott moved to Aston Villa from Liverpool on loan with an obligation to buy on deadline day. Elliott, who excelled for the England at the U21 Euros, was forced down the Reds pecking order following their high profile signing of Florian Wirtz. However, things haven't quite gone according to plan for the 22-year-old at Villa Park following his move to the Midlands.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Elliott can't play parent club this weekend

  Elliott is unable to face his parent club this weekend when Villa make the trip to Liverpool owing to stipulations in the deal that saw the midfielder move to the Villans over the summer. Even so, the 22-year-old was unlikely to have played a part for Unai Emery's side having struggled for game time since his deadline day move.

  Elliott has started just one league match for Villa this season, that coming in a 3-1 home win over Fulham last month, while he has registered just 97 minutes of game time for Emery's team. Even then, the youngster was hauled off at the break against the Whites, with his only other start coming in the EFL Cup penalty shootout defeat to Brentford.

  Villa have an obligation to make Elliott's loan move permanent for £35m over the summer but even then that only becomes active once the midfielder plays a certain number of games. It means that Elliott can, in theory, return to Liverpool should he fail to make the requisite number of appearances.

Advertisement

• Midfielder didn't even make City squad

  Emery made the decision to leave Elliott out of the Villa matchday squad for their recent 1-0 win over Manchester City to add weight to the suggestion that the Spaniard isn't quite sold on the on-loan Englishman. Matty Cash scored the winning goal in the narrow victory over Pep Guardiola's side, a result that means Villa have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions.

  It would take an almighty turnaround for Elliott to work his way into Emery's plans, which is a blow for the Liverpool man. Indeed, Elliott had hoped for regular minutes at Villa Park as he looks to force his way into Thomas Tuchel's England plans with the 2026 World Cup looming.

  Should Villa make the move permanent, Liverpool also retain a buyback clause and a sell-on clause.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'I am being very, very demanding myself'

  Emery has previously addressed Elliott's lack of game time, suggesting he has been far from impressed with the loan star when called upon. "I am being very, very demanding myself to choose in each match the player to start and the players on the bench and the subs players, and firstly is always trying to get the best performance collectively, through individual players," Emery said.

  "Harvey is a 10 number in our structure, in our shape, and he plays some matches and there is still adaptation to add himself individually in our structure, the task we have. Of course, he is training well, and his commitment is being very well as well, but his performance was not enough (up to this point). At the same time, we have other players who can play as a 10 and they are performing well, and I have different players.

  "This is the main reason he is not playing the last matches minutes, but he has to continue working like he is doing in the training session and of course getting his confidence in the performance we need through him."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Villa seeking first Anfield win in over 10 years

  The only blip on Villa's recent record book came in a 2-1 loss at Go Ahead Eagles in the Europa League last week. In that time, the Villans have claimed impressive wins over Tottenham and Manchester City, and have beaten both Bologna and Feyenoord in European competition.

  Villa follow up their trip to Liverpool with a home game against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League, and then welcome Bournemouth in the Premier League before the international break.

  Emery will hope to mastermind a first Villa win at Liverpool since Gabby Agbonlahor bagged the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory back in 2014.

On the brink of a new era at Ibrox, the 49ers have already been handed one request by the next Rangers manager, who is beginning to form his backroom team.

Gerrard on the brink of Rangers return

It’s been an incredibly busy week for Rangers, who called time on Russell Martin’s tenure last week following a disastrous spell in charge. The former Southampton boss lasted just 123 days and picked up just one win in seven Scottish Premiership games. It was a run that simply could not go on, no matter how badly the 49ers wanted their first appointment to work out.

Since then, it has been all hands to the pump in their search for a new manager which is seemingly about to end with Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool legend is reportedly on the brink of returning to Ibrox in his first job in management since leaving Al-Ettifaq in January. Arriving with it all to do, Gerrard will be hoping to achieve the same success as his last tenure, having won Rangers’ 55th league title.

Gerrard, according to former England teammate Rio Ferdinand, is chomping at the bit to get back in the technical area and now has the chance to do exactly that at the club he’s had the most success as a manager.

Rangers have already lined up his backroom staff, with Jermain Defoe, Gary McAllister and Steven Davis set to return to the club with him alongside another previously unnamed coach, who has now been revealed.

Gerrard requests Steve Holland at Rangers

According to The Daily Record, Gerrard now wants Rangers to hire Steve Holland as part of his backroom staff in his first request as manager. The former England coach has been out of a coaching role since managing Yokohama Marinos in Japan in a short spell earlier this year, but could now hand Gerrard a major boost.

Rangers on verge of hiring new manager who shares agent with £100m+ Real Madrid superstar

The Gers are closing in on the appointment.

By
Ben Goodwin

Oct 10, 2025

Having been the England assistant for four years from 2013 to 2016, Holland is someone that the former Liverpool midfielder should know well and given that Michael Beale’s Rangers return seems unlikely, the Gers should go all out to welcome his preferred choice.

The 45-year-old recently spoke about the importance of leaning on his backroom staff, including Defoe and McAllister.

Whilst they will be important appointments for Gerrard, the experience that a man like Holland would provide is simply invaluable at this stage of his managerial career.

Anders Dreyer, San Diego's offseason acquisition from Anderlecht in Belgium, has been named MLS Newcomer of the Year. The Denmark international scored 19 goals and added 19 assists to lead the expansion franchise to a first-placed finish in the Western Conference. Dreyer received 74 percent of the vote. LAFC's Son Heung-Min finished second, with just over six percent.

• Getty Images
  

  A historic year

  Dreyer had one of the more memorable seasons in rookie history. The 27-year-old tallied 38 goal contributions. That mark is the third most in a single MLS season, and equal Sebastian Giovinco's first-year mark in 2015. Only Lionel Messi, who posted 48 goal involvements for Inter Miami, eclipsed his tally this year. 

Advertisement

• Expansion franchise records

  Dreyer was part of an immensely successful year for San Diego FC, who were among the most dominant expansion sides in league history. The relatively unheralded side, who were picked by some to place last in the West, were dominant from the off. They set an expansion franchise record with 19 wins and tallied a best mark for a new side with 63 points. They won the Western Conference on goal difference. 

• Getty
  

  Running away with the voting

  The voting wasn't particularly close, either. Dreyer dominated in pretty much every category. He received 72 percent of the media vote, 69 percent of players' vote, and 82 percent of the club technical staff voted for him to win the award. Son's impact on LAFC cannot be understated, but his arrival in August likely played a factor. However, Son was on pace for around 36 goal contributions in a full season based on his first nine games of action. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Game 3 awaits

  Dreyer might have already locked up the award, but there is plenty of soccer left for SDFC. After claiming the top seed in the West, they have had some difficulty against the Portland Timbers in the first round. They won the first game, but dropped the second, and will have to play a decisive game three this weekend. Dreyer has scored once and added an assist across those two games.