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Chelsea’s title ambitions were always more realistically viewed through a wider lens than the current campaign, but this recent drop in form has been concerning for Enzo Maresca’s side nonetheless.

A creditable draw against table-toppers Arsenal last weekend, preceded a bitter defeat to promoted Leeds United at Elland Road in midweek, and this one marked the perfect chance to bounce back and keep a toe in the early Premier League title race.

Bournemouth stood strong against the Blues on Saturday afternoon, but they also pulled their weight in the final third, recording an xG total of 1.37 compared to the visitors’ 0.88.

There was an undeniable bluntness to Chelsea’s attack, with a number of stars flattering to deceive on the south coast.

Chelsea's worst performers at Bournemouth

Robert Sanchez certainly wasn’t among Chelsea’s worst performers at the Vitality, having made a string of important saves throughout the contest to keep parity intact.

Neither was Moises Caicedo to blame. The Ecuadorian served the second game of his three-match suspension after seeing red against Arsenal, and his absence was keenly felt in the middle of the park.

Enzo Fernandez toiled without his dance partner in the engine room, but he was sloppy on the ball. Likewise, Cole Palmer looked rusty on his return from injury, only creating one chance and wasting a few decent opportunities before being replaced by Joao Pedro before the hour mark.

There was another attacking instrument under Maresca’s command who struggled to impose himself despite some hustle and bustle, looking like a teammate of his who has been absent for some time.

Maresca must bench Mudryk-esque Chelsea forward

Since leaving Manchester United and joining Chelsea this summer in a deal worth £40m, Alejandro Garnacho has blown hot and cold, scoring two goals and supplying two assists across 14 matches in all competitions. In the Premier League, Maresca has handed the 21-year-old six starts.

Against Bournemouth, though, he was part of a Chelsea side who succumbed to an absence of end product, hitting the woodwork and failing to build on his positive form of recent weeks.

Football.london did hand Garnacho a 6/10 match rating, acknowledging his optimism and energy on the ball, but he left much to be desired all the same, with his end product leading to a sense that he is shaping into the club’s next version of Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Mudryk is suspended at the moment, but from a footballing standpoint, his £89m transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk to Stamford Bridge in January 2023 ended up a major misfire from Todd Boehly and co, with the Ukrainian’s pace and technical skill unable to be applied with efficiency on English shores.

Having failed with all three of his attempted dribbles and proved unable to even attempt a tackle, the South American left something to be desired, and though he created a chance, he also lost the ball 11 times, and that having only completed 17 passes on the evening.

Alejandro Garnacho vs Bournemouth

Match Stats

#

Minutes played

77′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

35

Shots (on target)

2 (0)

Accurate passes

17/20 (85%)

Chances created

1

Crosses

2/3

Dribbles

0/3

Ball recoveries

3

Tackles won

0/0

Duels won

3/7

Data via Sofascore

We already know that Garnacho has a penchant for the spectacular, but he needs to channel his craft and grow into the player he has been touted to be.

In this, he is not too dissimilar to Mudryk, though hopefully he has more opportunities to showcase his skills.

Mudryk and Garnacho share a likeness in that they are both athletic and dynamic wingers, but the latter needs to prove now that Chelsea are going to get bang for their buck, and perhaps a return to the bench might fuel him with the requisite aggression and focus going forward.

Related Shades of Sterling & Mudryk: Maresca must axe Chelsea's "pointless signing"

The highly-rated attacker has not impressed so far this season.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 6, 2025

Paul Skenes won the MLB's Rookie of the Year award last season with ease. As the All-Star starting pitcher for the National League, his accomplishments were tough for rest of the field to match.

Skenes will be looking to make year number two as good as his debut in 2025, with the hype seeming to only grow, rather than fizzle out.

Ahead of his Saturday matinee spring training start against the Baltimore Orioles, Skenes was flooded with autograph requests from fans. Take a look at how many people were competing for his John Hancock:

It's no surprise that people want to get Skenes to put Sharpie down on their memorabilia. A 1-of-1 debut patch card just sold for seven figures to a shop that plans to put it on display for fans. It's been some time since a pitcher has come in and dominated straightaway as much as Skenes has. Whether for sale or just part of a personal collection, he has one of the most coveted signatures in MLB right now.

Skenes pitched 3.1 innings striking out four, walking one, and giving up just a hit against the O's on Saturday. Obviously, he is the Pirates' opening day starter.

Crystal Palace are now genuine contenders to sign Nathan Ake, with an eye-catching raid of Manchester City now being planned.

Palace’s interest in a new centre-back stems from Marc Guehi’s contract situation, with the England international now poised to leave on a free transfer upon the expiration of his current deal next summer, and there are plenty of clubs waiting in the wings.

Liverpool remain keen on the 25-year-old, having come close to getting a deal done on deadline day in the summer, but Arne Slot’s side may now be set to face competition from the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea.

Steve Parish will, of course, be disappointed to have missed out on a transfer fee for the defender, unless he chooses to cash-in in January, although doing so could harm the Eagles in their quest to compete on all fronts, with the maiden European campaign likely to be of key importance.

Oliver Glasner’s side may not have to worry about bringing in a Guehi replacement until next summer, but they have already started identifying potential options, and Ake has now emerged as a target for the end of the season.

Crystal Palace genuine contenders to sign Ake

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which reveals Crystal Palace are now genuine contenders to sign the Man City defender, with their Premier League rivals giving serious consideration to cashing-in.

As such, the door could be open for Palace to get a deal done, with an eye-catching raid to sign the Dutchman being considered once again, having identified him as a target during the summer transfer window.

The Eagles are making sure they are prepared for Guehi’s departure, as it is considered almost a foregone conclusion that he will move on in the summer, with Bayern Munich named as one of the top clubs chasing the Englishman’s signature.

Once lauded as “incredible” by Man City manager Pep Guardiola, the centre-back has found game time hard to come by in the Premier League this season, often being benched or utilised as a substitute.

Crucially, the former AFC Bournemouth man is vastly experienced in the Premier League, having amassed 240 appearances in the competition, and he certainly knows what it takes to win, lifting 14 major honours in what has been a hugely successful career.

At 30-years-old, the City ace is likely to want to play regular first-team football, so it could make sense to seek pastures new in the summer, and there are signs he could be a solid replacement for Guehi.

The only negative is the fact the Netherlands international is over five years older than Guehi and set to turn 31 in February, which means he is unlikely to be a long-term replacement, although he should certainly have a few more years at the top level.

Crystal Palace also targeting Yann Bisseck as Marc Guehi replacement Crystal Palace now keen on "insane" £22m defender who pocketed Erling Haaland

Palace are looking to sign a new centre-back, with Marc Guehi heading for the exit door.

ByDominic Lund Oct 16, 2025

انتقد أسامة حسني، لاعب الأهلي السابق، بعض المنتمين لنادي الزمالك الذين يبررون خسارة فريقهم في بطولة السوبر الأخيرة بعوامل خارجية، مؤكدًا أن النادي الأهلي يحقق نجاحاته بفضل رؤية واضحة ومنظومة عمل متكاملة.

وقال حسني في تصريحات عبر برنامج “اللعيب” على قناة MBC مصر: “هل فوز الأهلي ببطولة السوبر للعام الخامس على التوالي جاء بسبب التحكيم؟!، الأهلي توّج بالسوبر للمرة السادسة عشر في تاريخه، بينما فاز الزمالك بالبطولة أربع مرات فقط، فهل كانت جميع هذه البطولات بسبب التحكيم أيضًا؟ طالما سنظل نُعلّق النتائج على عوامل خارجية، فلن تتقدم خطوة واحدة إلى الأمام”.

وتابع: “لنعد خطوة إلى الوراء، حين تعاقد الأهلي مع المدرب خوسيه ريبيرو ولم يكن موفقًا، اعترف الجميع بالخطأ، ماذا فعل النادي؟ كان أمامه شهر أكتوبر وفترات توقف دولية في نوفمبر وديسمبر، فاستغل ذلك لتغيير المدرب مبكرًا، لأن النادي يمتلك رؤية مستقبلية واضحة، أجرى التغيير في التوقيت المناسب استعدادًا لفترة الانتقالات”.

طالع أيضًا | إسلام الشاطر: أشعر بالضيق من أجل الزمالك.. وكفى حديثًا عن المعلق والحكم

وأضاف: “المدرب كولر حقق العديد من البطولات خلال ثلاث سنوات ورحل، ثم جاء بعده ريبيرو، وتولى عماد النحاس المهمة مؤقتًا وحقق نتائج جيدة، لكن الأهلي لم يُبقِ عليه لأنه كان واضحًا منذ البداية أن المهمة مؤقتة، فالنادي يعمل وفق خطة محددة”.

وواصل: “الأهلي لديه رؤية واضحة؛ فالفريق أمامه بطولة السوبر المصري وبطولة إفريقيا، وفي يناير ستكون هناك تدعيمات، ولذلك من الضروري أن يكون هناك مدير فني دائم لاتخاذ القرارات الفنية المناسبة والمشاركة في التخطيط للمستقبل”.

وأشار: “النادي الأهلي منظومة، الكابتن محمود الخطيب يشرف على كرة القدم في النادي، لكنه لا ينفرد بالقرار، فهناك الكابتن سيد عبد الحفيظ نائب المشرف، ولجنة تخطيط، ومدير رياضي، ومدير للكرة، وهيكل إداري كامل يشارك في اتخاذ القرار بما يخدم مصلحة النادي ورؤيته المستقبلية”.

واختتم: “لكن في نادي الزمالك، القرار في يد شخص واحد، وهذا لا يصح، الزمالك نادٍ كبير وله تاريخ وجماهيرية عريضة، لذلك يجب أن تصدر قراراته بعد دراسة من عدة جهات لضمان مصلحة النادي واستقراره”.

Manchester United supporters have become accustomed to incredible late drama over the years – with numerous moments producing incredible memories for the fanbase.

In recent history, Amad Diallo has produced his own late magic, doing so in one of the biggest games for the club – the Manchester Derby against Manchester City.

The Ivorian scored a 90th-minute winner against Pep Guardiola’s men at the Etihad last campaign, securing a 2-1 victory after trailing with just a handful of minutes remaining.

However, one of the most iconic late goals was scored by Ole Gunnar Solskjær against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final back in 1999.

Such a goal helped the Red Devils claim another major trophy, but most importantly secured the club a treble after previously winning the Premier League and FA Cup.

In the present day, Ruben Amorim has his very own clutch player who has continued to produce the goods within the latter stages of numerous crucial outings.

Ranking Harry Maguire’s most clutch moments for Man Utd

After forking out £80m for Harry Maguire’s signature in the summer of 2019, very few United fans would have predicted the impact that the centre-back would have in attacking areas.

In his six years at Old Trafford, the 32-year-old has racked up 17 goals for the Red Devils, finding the back of the net in every 14 matches he’s appeared in.

Numerous of his strikes have been late goals to secure the first-team vital results, with his third-most important effort coming against Norwich City in the FA Cup quarter-final back in 2020.

His 118th-minute winner secured the club a place in the semi-final, with such an effort the first time Maguire popped up and demonstrated his clutch ability in front of goal.

The centre-back also demonstrated his last-gasp antics in the Europa League last season – subsequently producing one of the most memorable games for the fans in recent history.

Maguire leapt highest at the back post in the 121st minute to secure a phenomenal late comeback against Lyon, resulting in a 7-6 aggregate win in the quarter-final.

However, despite his antics at Old Trafford back in April, the defender’s latest strike for the Red Devils is one that could help kickstart Amorim’s tenure in charge at the Theatre of Dreams.

The former Leicester City man scored an 84th-minute winner against bitter rivals Liverpool, subsequently securing the club’s first win at Anfield in 12 years.

Such a victory will certainly live long in the memories of all the supporters, with Maguire once again writing himself into the club’s history books forever.

The United star who’s becoming one of Amorim’s most clutch players

Maguire has managed to constantly produce the goods within attacking areas for United – but Amorim has desperately needed to address the options within the final third.

It’s all well and good having a defensive player popping up with key contributions, but the side have lacked the out-and-out presence to impress in front of goal.

His side could only muster a tally of 44 goals in their 38 league outings last season – with their measly average of 1.1 per 90 the fifth-lowest in the division.

As a result, the hierarchy handed the 40-year-old boss funds in excess of £200m to make the changes he desired to his first-team squad in Manchester.

One of the additions made by the board was that of forward Bryan Mbeumo, as he joined the Red Devils in a deal totalling £71m, including any future add-ons.

The Cameroonian arrived with huge expectations at Old Trafford and understandably so after he netted 20 league goals for Brentford last season – ending the year as one of only five players to hit such a milestone.

Since such a transfer, the 26-year-old has immediately captured the hearts of the fanbase with his impressive showings in recent weeks under Amorim’s guidance.

He’s already found the net on three occasions, with his latest strike coming in the first couple of minutes in the iconic triumph over Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

The strike has added to his league tally, with Mbeumo also scoring against Burnley at Old Trafford back in August – subsequently helping secure their first victory of the campaign.

Bryan Mbeumo – Man Utd stats (2025/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

9

Goals scored

3

Pass accuracy

78%

Successful crosses

2.1

Chances created

1.8

Dribble success

52%

Fouls drawn

1.5

Shots on target

1.2

Stats via FotMob

As a result of his recent antics in the Red Devils first-team, one analyst has since labelled him as “one of the most clutch players” – often popping up in key moments when the side needs him most.

He currently sits joint-top of the club’s top goalscorer charts in the league, with his recent form showcasing that the board made the right call in forking out a pretty penny for his signature.

Mbeumo also ranks second for chances created in the top-flight in 2025/26, already providing an assist in the triumph over Sunderland – highlighting his complete nature in the final third.

Maguire’s antics as of late have certainly seen the Englishman receive a whole heap of praise, but some of which desperately needs to be directed to the Cameroonian.

The board took a huge risk with his addition this summer, but they have so far been proved right – with his ability potentially allowing the manager to create new history at Old Trafford.

Related Amorim has unlocked the new Bruno Fernandes in "world-class" Man Utd star

Manchester United already have a player on the books who can emulate Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford.

Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb Oct 22, 2025

West Ham chiefs are apparently convinced that one Man United player is the ideal signing for new manager Nuno Espírito Santo, coming amid reports that David Sullivan and the hierarchy are set to back him in January.

West Ham make January recruitment plans after Nuno arrival

The Portuguese oversaw his second Premier League game in charge of the East Londoners last Saturday, culminating in a 2-0 defeat away to title-chasing Arsenal.

Goals from ex-West Ham captain Declan Rice, who was the best player on the pitch, and Bukayo Saka handed Nuno his first loss since taking over from Graham Potter over a fortnight ago.

Rice’s man of the match performance was only overshadowed by Saka reaching impressive milestones, with the England international marking his 200th Premier League appearance by reaching a century of goal involvements for the Gunners.

The 90 minutes went exactly how on-lookers would expect, as Arsenal enjoyed a whopping 68 per cent possession and dominated the overall play.

West Ham’s results in the Premier League so far

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Despite West Ham winning two of their previous two league games at the Emirates, it was always going to be a very tough ask for Nuno to secure his first win there, but the tactician will already be getting a good idea of the areas that West Ham need to improve in.

As Nuno attempts to galvanise his new side, away from the pitch, it is believed that West Ham want to sign a new attacking player in January to inject some needed creativity in the forward areas.

AC Milan star Christian Pulisic, Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini and Galatasaray forward Baris Yilmaz have all been mentioned as potential West Ham targets for the winter window, and they’ve also got a keen interest in £105,000-per-week Man United striker Joshua Zirkzee.

West Ham think Joshua Zirkzee is perfect for Nuno

According to reports in Spain, West Ham believe that Zirkzee would “fit perfectly” into Nuno’s system, with the London Stadium now seen as a realistic destination for the Dutchman who’s had admirers at the club “for months”.

Zirkzee is yet to get off the mark for Ruben Amorim’s side after being in and out of the Portuguese’s starting elevens so far, playing just 74 top flight minutes so far, and West Ham could offer him an escape route from Old Trafford.

Since joining from Bologna, the 24-year-old has racked up 10 goal contributions (seven goals, three assists) in just over half a century of appearances for the Red Devils, but the arrivals of summer signings Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha now threaten his place long-term.

By contrast, Nuno could seriously use an alternative to injury-prone striking duo Callum Wilson and Niclas Füllkrug, with Zirkzee’s previous Serie A exploits highlighting how he would really upgrade West Ham’s options.

This is echoed by United legend Lee Sharpe, who backed Zirkzee to become a “superstar” this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo is “the biggest brand in the world”, according to the vice president of his former employers at Sporting, with the Portuguese GOAT becoming a “one-man show”. CR7 has become football’s first billionaire, allowing him to emulate the achievements of legendary figures such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, LeBron James and Tiger Woods. There is no sign of the evergreen Al-Nassr striker slowing down.

• Record-breaker: Ronaldo still chasing down targets

  Ronaldo’s earning potential has spiked since making his name as a tricky winger with Manchester United. He was transformed into a fearsome frontman during his time at Old Trafford, collecting his first Champions League trophy and Ballon d’Or in the process. He now has five European crowns to his name and a handful of Golden Balls.

  Records have tumbled around the all-time great, with the history books being rewritten on a regular basis. There is seemingly still plenty left for him to achieve at 40 years of age. A new two-year contract has been committed to in the Saudi Pro League, with Ronaldo taking aim at the 2026 World Cup and 1,000 career goals.

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  Billionaire's club: How Ronaldo joined other sporting immortals

  He could have retired a long time ago, with enough money in the bank to last several lifetimes. Ronaldo boasts the most lucrative contract in his chosen sport, while also working with leading brands such as Nike, Armani and Castrol. An empire has been built off the field courtesy of the CR7 brand, real estate investments and money-spinning business ventures.

  The claims that Ronaldo’s net worth has hit $1.4 billion (£1bn), making him the first football player to join an exclusive club. NBA greats Jordan and James stand alongside him when it comes to wealthy sporting stars, as does golf icon Woods and tennis great Roger Federer.

  Ronaldo – who pulls in millions of dollars courtesy of his social media accounts, which have branched out into the world of video production on YouTube – remains of obvious attraction to commercial partners around the world. It remains to be seen how long his remarkable playing career will last.

• One-man show: How Ronaldo changed the game

  He has, however, joined the immortals and can expect to keep eye-watering numbers on the financial front rolling in long after goalscoring boots have been hung up for the final time. Sporting vice-president Andre Bernardo expects that to be the case.

  He told the ‘Growing with Soul: How Clubs Expand Without Losing Their Heritage’ panel at the Portugal Football Summit: “Our core business is sports, and players are a fundamental component. Players are heroes, but they are also people, and there are people who sometimes neglect this aspect and try to copy them. In the digital age, these players are much more powerful than some brands. Cristiano Ronaldo is the biggest brand in the world and is a unique person. Naturally, he has a team that supports him, but he is a one-man show.”

  He added, with Sporting having helped to put several household names on the path to greatness: “Cristiano is a good example, but there are others who came from humble and difficult backgrounds. Everyone knows Cristiano's story, his mother, a huge Sporting fan, was the one who brought him to the academy when he was a boy.”

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  Full circle: Could Ronaldo return to his roots?

  There has been talk of Ronaldo returning to his roots at some stage, as he takes his career full circle. Such a move may, however, be difficult given that he will be 42 by the time that his lucrative deal in the Middle East comes to a close. A door in Lisbon will, however, always be left open to him. That is because he remains a hero to millions back in his homeland.

  They will be looking to cheer Ronaldo and Co on to global glory next summer. Portugal are holders of the UEFA Nations League crown and expected to go well in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Savouring World Cup glory would allow Ronaldo, much like eternal rival Lionel Messi did with Argentina at Qatar 2022, to complete his glittering medal collection.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin appears to be in a difficult position with his options at striker at Ibrox heading into next week’s transfer deadline.

After the 1-1 draw with St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership last time out, the Gers manager revealed that Hamza Igamane was unable to come off the bench to help the team.

Martin said: “He wouldn’t be on the bench if he’s not fit. So he said he’d done it warming up. We turned down a bid this week, but we’ll assess his injury and I have to trust Hamza so we’ll see what happens.”

The boss went on to speak about Cyriel Dessers’ situation, saying: “I think it happens in football, but I’ll go back to Cyriel (Dessers) again. He’s worked really hard to get fit, hasn’t quite been fit, he’ll probably be fit for Wednesday.

“So whilst he’s made it really clear what his intention would be or what his desire would be, there’s been no problem, none. He trains properly, performs with the team, been great, but everyone’s different.”

It has since been revealed that Lille have had an offer accepted for Igamane, who is now due to depart for £10.4m, which may explain recent links to Bojan Miovski.

Why Rangers are interested in Bojan Miovski

It was recently reported that the Gers are interested in a deal to sign the centre-forward from Girona on a season-long loan deal to bolster their squad.

Their interest in the Macedonia international could be connected to the interest in Dessers and Igamane from elsewhere ahead of next Monday’s transfer deadline, because an exit from Ibrox for either of them would leave the squad short in the striker department.

This is why the 26-year-old star arriving at Ibrox in the coming days could make a lot of sense for Rangers, because would slot into the centre-forward position and fill any hole that could be created by a departure for Igamane or Dessers, or both.

The Girona outcast is also be an attractive target for the Scottish Premiership giants because he is a proven performer in Scotland. During his two-year stint with Aberdeen, Miovski showed that he can score goals on a regular basis in the Scottish top-flight.

As you can see in the table above, the left-footed marksman scored 32 goals in two league seasons with Aberdeen, who finished behind Rangers in both of those campaigns, and overperformed his xG when you take his xG on target into account.

These statistics show that he is almost guaranteed to be a reliable goalscorer for Rangers in the Premiership, because he has been there and done it in the division in two of the last three years.

However, on the flip side of it, a season-long loan deal for Miovski would only be delaying the need to sign a permanent replacement for Igamane or Dessers.

On top of that, the striker has only scored four goals in 25 matches for Giorna since the start of last season and would need to find his confidence in front of goal again, which may be a struggle in a Rangers team that is currently in a difficult place after three draws in three league games.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Rangers are one of a number of sides interested in a deal to sign Villarreal’s £4m-rated centre-forward Karl Etta Eyong to bolster their attacking options.

Transfer Focus

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

It was also reported that the Gers were in talks with Villarreal over a potential permanent deal for the forward, although there has not been any recent updates on that, and he could be an even better signing than Miovski.

Why Rangers should sign Karl Etta Eyong

Whilst Miovski has the potential, given his form for Aberdeen in the past, to be an exceptional addition to the squad in his own right, Etta Eyong could be a better signing because of his recent form and the structure of the possible transfer.

Signing the Villarreal star, who is only 21, on a long-term deal as part of a permanent transfer could be a much better move for the club than a short-term loan for Miovski, because it could sort out the team’s striker problem for multiple seasons, rather than just one.

By signing Etta Eyong, if all goes well, the Gers would not have to invest millions in another new striker next summer. Whereas, Miovski going back to Girona, or going elsewhere, at the end of his loan would mean that the Light Blues would be back at square one and needing to find another forward.

The Villarreal starlet’s performances at youth and senior level in Spain in the last 12 months or so also suggest that he could hit the ground running with confidence behind him, which may not be the case for Miovski due to his struggles in Spain.

As you can see in the table above, Etta Eyong has made a strong start to the current LaLiga campaign with a goal and an assist in two matches, with the assist coming against Miovski’s Girona side.

Meanwhile, the Macedonia international did not register a shot or a key pass in 45 minutes against Rayo Vallecano before being left out of the squad for the defeat to Etta Eyong’s Villarreal, per Sofascore.

The £4m-rated star, who was described as a “powerful” striker by writer Kai Watson, also scored 18 goals, finishing 25% of his chances, in 29 starts in the Spanish third tier for Villarreal’s B team in the 2024/25 campaign, which shows that he can also score goals consistently when given regular game time.

Etta Eyong scored goals against Leeds and Arsenal in pre-season before starting the LaLiga campaign on fire for Villarreal, and all of these statistics suggest that he has the quality to be a quality operator up front for Rangers.

Euro club make approach to sign Rangers flop who's worse than Igamane

A team in one of Europe’s major leagues has made an approach for a Rangers forward who is even worse than Hamza Igamane.

By
Dan Emery

Aug 26, 2025

This is why Etta Eyong would be an even better signing than Miovski for the Gers, because he is in-form and currently playing better in the same league, and would arrive on a permanent basis instead of as a loan player.

Glasgow Celtic have enjoyed regular dominance in Scotland in recent years, with the Hoops’ shrewd signings playing a major role in that success.

Those at Parkhead aren’t known to splash the cash like other clubs across Europe but have become serial winners. The likes of Martin O’Neill, Neil Lennon, Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers have all spent money when allowed to do so, but who is Celtic’s most expensive signing of all time?

Celtic's most expensive sales of all time

Celtic have let some of their finest talents move for big money in the past.

By
Charlie Smith

Oct 3, 2025

Here’s the top 10, with one player actually appearing on the list twice.

Celtic’s 10 most expensive signings in detail

10

Chris Sutton

£6m from Chelsea

Now known for his role as a pundit and co-commentator, Chris Sutton was a goalscorer during his playing days and moved to Celtic Park in 2000.

The Englishman had starred for Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers before joining Chelsea in 1999, and after a 12-month stint at Stamford Bridge, headed to Scotland for £6m.

Sutton would score more than 80 goals in just under 200 appearances for the Hoops, winning eight major honours in Scotland.

9

John Hartson

£6m from Coventry City

Sutton’s strike partner at Celtic was Welshman John Hartson, who also cost £6m a year later in 2001 from Coventry City.

A powerful centre-forward, Hartson actually made more appearances for Celtic than any other club he represented, outscoring Sutton in their Hoops careers. He won six major honours at Parkhead before being sold to West Brom in 2006.

8

Cameron Carter-Vickers

£6m from Tottenham

After multiple loan spells away from Tottenham, Cameron Carter-Vickers found a permanent home at Parkhead in 2022 following a successful season with the Hoops a year before.

Celtic paid Tottenham £6m for the USA centre-back, who has gone from strength to strength in Glasgow and has since been linked with a mega-money transfer back to the Premier League.

7

Auston Trusty

£6m from Sheffield United

Another American defender to join Celtic was Auston Trusty, who made the move in 2024 after Sheffield United’s relegation from the Premier League.

Trusty made 37 appearances in his first season as a Hoops player, winning two trophies. He’s under contract until 2029.

6

Jota

£6.5m from Benfica

Portuguese winger Jota starred on loan at Celtic from Benfica in the 2021/22 season, and his transfer was made permanent for £6.5m at the end of the campaign.

The attacker would become a fan favourite and get even better a year later as the Hoops won the treble, however, he was then sold to Al Ittihad for a whopping £25m. More on Jota to come…

5

Christopher Jullien

£7m from Toulouse

Towering centre-back Christopher Jullien became Celtic’s first summer signing in 2019, with Neil Lennon the manager to sign the French defender.

Unfortunately, Jullien suffered with injury during his time with the Hoops and was sold to Montpellier for a fraction of the fee in 2022.

4

Jota

£8m from Rennes

After a failed time in Saudi Arabia, Jota was then sold to Rennes in France, but again struggled to hit the heights of his time at Celtic.

The Hoops were then in negotiations to sell Kyogo Furuhashi to the Ligue 1 side in 2025, and they used the money to bring Jota back to Parkhead in a deal worth £8m.

So, in total, Celtic have spent just under £15m on Jota in two transfers, while selling him once for £25m – good business.

3

Odsonne Edouard

£8m from PSG

After starring on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the 2017/18 season, Celtic made Odsonne Edouard’s transfer permanent for a then-club-record £8m fee.

The Hoops at the time described it as the “biggest transfer” in their history, with the French forward continuing to score goals for fun in Scotland. Celtic still made a healthy profit on Edouard, cashing in for £14m when Crystal Palace came in on deadline day in 2021.

2

Adam Idah

£9.5m from Norwich City

Another striker who cost big money after impressing on loan was Adam Idah. The Republic of Ireland international spent the second half of the 2023/24 campaign at Parkhead from Norwich City and scored some big goals for the Hoops, including a late winner in their Scottish Cup final against Rangers.

Celtic then spent £9.5m on Idah and handed him a five-year deal in Glasgow.

1

Arne Engels

£11m from Augsburg

Top of the charts as Celtic’s most expensive signing of all time is midfielder Arne Engels. The Belgian joined in the same summer as Idah as the Hoops really splashed the cash in 2024.

Engels, who was only 20 when he signed, starred in his first season, winning the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup.

Pakistan captain says batters “have sacrificed individual milestones for team results”, while seamers could have chance to shine when subcontinent teams visit

Danyal Rasool19-Jan-2025Pakistan captain Shan Masood put up a strident defence of Pakistan’s decision to produce a pitch that was heavily spin-friendly. After Pakistan wrapped up a 127-run win in the shortest-ever Test to produce a result on Pakistani soil, much of Masood’s press conference was dominated by talking about why the soil in question was quite as dry and brittle as it was.”We will do what we need to take 20 wickets and win the match,” Masood said. “We don’t even play domestic cricket in these conditions. It’s a new thing for us as well. We changed it during the England series because we wanted our team to win. We should appreciate the hard work of our bowlers, who got us 20 wickets consistently.”On those counts, the decision has been an unmitigated success. Ever since losing the first Test to England in October on a flat deck, Pakistan volte-faced on the kind of surfaces they wanted to prepare. Particular attention has been focused on the measures they have taken to ensure spin remains the most potent – arguably only – threat.Related

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The second Test against England was played on the same used surface of the first Test, with large fans to dry it out. The third Test in Rawalpindi, which naturally does not take spin until late in games, was dried out by wedding-style heaters and fans enclosed by windbreakers; England even accused it of being raked, though concrete evidence of that has not emerged. Ahead of this Test in Multan in the middle of winter, Pakistan went one step further, encircling the surface in a greenhouse as it was warmed up by those giant heaters and fans.Every surface has produced the effect – and result, Pakistan were after. Their spinners – Sajid Khan and Noman Ali in particular – have had little trouble taking 20 wickets; none of the 60 opposition scalps have fallen to seam bowlers since. And each of those three games have produced convincing Pakistan wins.Masood pointed out the wins were not an inevitability, but a consequence of Pakistan playing the better cricket across all departments in each game. “If you’re looking individually at the batters, it doesn’t make for good reading. But our batters batted better than West Indies, and better than England’s batters in October. If you just look at hundreds and fifties and judge them by raw numbers, then it’ll be misleading. Just like we’ll have to be flexible with our playing style, viewers will also need to be flexible in their thinking. Look at India’s blueprint and their averages at home and you’ll get the point. If conditions are flat, getting 20 wickets is hard. We’ve sacrificed individual milestones for team results.”Masood’s comments indicate that Pakistan have no plans yet to change what has been a successful strategy for them. While this World Test Championship (WTC) cycle has proven an unhappy one – they will finish second from bottom in the standings – they have, on paper, a much softer draw in the next two-year cycle. It sees them play three two-Test series at home against South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, and three series away from home against West Indies, England and Bangladesh. Masood made it clear they had eyes on a final berth in 2027, and that, should it happen, the route lay through “winning all our games at home”.

“If you’re looking individually at the batters, it doesn’t make for good reading. But our batters batted better than West Indies, and better than England’s batters in October… Just like we’ll have to be flexible with our playing style, viewers will also need to be flexible in their thinking.”Shan Masood

He also dismissed any concerns over dissatisfaction of his fellow batters regarding these playing conditions, and allayed fears over the redundancy of Pakistan’s Test fast bowling. “We can’t pit our bowlers and batters against each other,” he said. “The hardest thing to do here was batting and fast bowling. West Indies didn’t score 141 in either of their innings, and yet we had one partnership [Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan] do it. The mistake is we should maybe have tried to string a few partnerships around that big one. Performances aren’t just about scoring centuries; in some conditions, 10-20 extra runs can make all the difference.”If someone has to sacrifice there, like fast bowlers or batters, then so be it. There will be oppositions where we feel we can prepare seam-friendly pitches. Then fast bowlers will get the opportunity to get wickets like the spinners got here. We need to work on how we can progress as a team. A WTC is a two-year cycle, so fast bowlers will come into it. We have away series in England and the West Indies with the Dukes ball. When a subcontinent team comes here, we may prepare seam-friendly wickets. Over the bigger picture, no one’s role is being diminished.”Pakistan do not play another Test for nine months, and have just two scheduled over the next 14 months. For Masood, this was the biggest concern, and a situation he deemed unacceptable.”I’ve complained about this issue and raised it several times; a nation like Pakistan cannot just play 4-5 Tests a year. This is something we as a nation need to push for. A ten-month gap, and then if you come and play in these conditions, it can be completely different. Our first-class season will also likely only just have begun at that time. These ten months are important, and I hope we get international and domestic cricket, and the Test players we have, hopefully we can look after them in the next ten months so they’re ready for the series against South Africa in October.”Ten months is a long time in cricket and, as Masood knows only too well, especially in Pakistan cricket. But in a nation where captains can live or die by the results their team produces, it is little surprise Masood makes no apology for a strategy which, for now, has been giving his team those wins, regardless of the optics that accompany them.