It’s hard work vs natural talent for many, thunderous strikes vs magical moments for others and a debate that has stolen the spotlight for more than 15 years. There has not been anyone close to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in this current era of football and perhaps even history. Separating the two is, therefore, an almost impossible task.
The duo are still very much competing too, even if it’s not for the Ballon d’Or these days. In the September international break, Messi thought he grabbed the headlines with his brace in what could be his final appearance for the national team in his home country of Argentina, only for Ronaldo to swiftly respond by doing the same for Portugal a day later.
Ronaldo, himself, recently spoke about the affection that he has for Messi after years of competing against the former Barcelona star at the very top level.
He told reporters: “Of course I have affection for Leo Messi. We’ve been on stage together for 15 years. I remember translating English for him at the Galas because he didn’t speak English well. He always treated me well and respected me.”
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Messi has also shown the same respect to his rival when speaking to reporters, saying: “I have a lot of respect and admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and for the career he’s had and continues to have, because he’s still competing at the highest level.”
It’s a rivalry that is ending with the utmost respect, but also one that almost everyone has had their say on – even former boxing world champion Anthony Joshua.
Anthony Joshua weighs in on Messi vs Ronaldo
Not one for pulling his punches, Joshua admitted that he believes that Ronaldo is better than Messi, because he works harder than the World Cup-winning legend.
It’s perhaps the type of hard work that one of Britain’s greatest boxers can relate to, having gone from narrowly avoiding a prison sentence at a young age to defeating the iconic Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 in front of a packed Wembley crowd.
With five Ballon d’Ors to his name, to say that Ronaldo’s hard work paid off would be an incredible understatement. The Al-Nassr winger, even at 40 years old, has the physical conditioning of a player at the peak of their powers.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, football’s biggest stage could see its two greatest icons collide one final time. It’s then that AJ and others could get their answer as to just who takes the crown.
The season is deepening, moving toward patterns more tangible than those the early weeks comment on a team. For Newcastle United, this is the case.
Newcastle started the 2025/26 campaign poorly, but Eddie Howe’s side were rocked by upheaval across the summer transfer window and lost their talisman, Alexander Isak, after a long attritional battle with Liverpool.
Isak, 26, scored many goals for the Tynesiders. Too many to name. One of which, though, came against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, and so for all the negativity and understandable criticism that came with that unwanted transfer saga, Isak’s legacy lives on.
But he’s a Newcastle player no more, and Howe knew it was crucial that a fitting replacement was brought in.
Well, while Yoane Wissa still waits to make his bow after his transfer from Brentford, having injured his knee on international duty, Nick Woltemade has enjoyed a fast start to life in England, impressing once again in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Newcastle spent well on Woltemade
There are some out there who seem to think Newcastle overspent when welcoming Woltemade from Stuttgart in a club-record £69m deal.
Here’s the thing. Newcastle’s summer struggles for a striker were well-documented, to say the least. The Magpies have landed themselves one of the most exciting young strikers in the business, and if that makes them ‘fools’, as some have suggested, then so be it.
And against Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League, the German, 23 years old, added to his goal tally, getting the last touch after Sandro Tonali’s strike took a deflection.
Six games into his Newcastle career, the intelligent, rangy striker has three goals, and he has also shown off a deft technical game that will only improve as he and Howe’s system get more comfortable with each other.
He has what it takes to make Isak but a distant memory at St. James’ Park and across Newcastle. Woltemade is the real deal, but he’s also young and unpolished.
Newcastle, actually, have another player who could be their next version of the Swedish sensation, and he showed he’s getting back to his best with a rip-roaring performance in Belgium.
Howe's new version of Isak
Class is permanent. This Howe knows. And so while Anthony Gordon toiled his way through the 2024/25 campaign and started off the current campaign on the wrong footing, he, and all involved at Newcastle, knew that time and hard work would see the England international rise back to his former, Player of the Year-winning form.
Anthony Gordon looks dejected for Liverpool
Gordon is 24 and considered one of the most talented wingers in the Premier League, with his rapid pace and persistence in driving play forward and making things happen in the final third, setting him apart from his positional rivals. He has described himself as a “nightmare for anyone” pitted against him.
But last season’s return of only six goals in the Premier League simply wasn’t good enough for a wide forward of his calibre.
Well, we’re still in the early phase of the new campaign, and Gordon hasn’t clicked into gear on the domestic front, but his performances in the Champions League suggest he is rising back to his best, awarded a 9/10 match rating by the Shields Gazette after converting two penalties and proving a livewire throughout.
Minutes played
90′
90′
Goals
1
2
Assists
0
0
Touches
28
62
Shots (on target)
1 (1)
3 (2)
Accurate passes
14/16 (88%)
24/31 (77%)
Key passes
0
0
Dribbles
1/3
5/8
Tackles
0
1
Ground duels
3/6
9/17
Journalist Henry Winter said his performance was “quick and clinical”, and if Gordon can capture and sustain that essence over the coming months, he could rise and provide a leading presence for Newcastle, much akin to Isak over the past few years.
Woltemade is talented and will score goals across the season. Wissa will too. However, Gordon, when firing on all cylinders, offers something more dynamic and complete, inspiring his teammates while applying prolific pressure himself. Across the 2023/24 season, in all competitions, he notched 28 goal involvements.
His contribution to Harvey Barnes’ conclusive fourth goal underscores that very point. Gordon has the full package, all right, and there is every confidence he will carry this form back into the Premier League and help Howe’s side make headway, 15th in the Premier League after six matches.
But to say Gordon has been abject across the opening weeks simply wouldn’t be true. He has endured some heavy moments, no doubt about that, but has also recorded six successful duels per game, also completing 71% of his dribbles.
With a bit more refinement in the crucial moments, Gordon might finally hit the heights envisaged and become the talisman Newcastle need now that Isak has left. After all, he has been chased by Liverpool too, with the Reds considering paying £100m for the Three Lions star’s services.
There is still work to be done. Gordon hasn’t enjoyed a good start to the Premier League season, sent off against Liverpool, but also missing three big chances in front of goal and lacking the clarity and composure he is capable of producing and sustaining.
But class is permanent. This Howe knows. And Gordon, too.
The 24-year-old has shown in the Champions League that he is ready to step up to the plate now that Isak has gone and assume the responsibility as Newcastle’s talisman.
Woltemade might be a number nine with the talent to match Isak, but Gordon, when on his A-game, is Newcastle’s main man.
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Newcastle romped to a big win in the Champions League this week, with Anthony Gordon starring.
Newcastle United are reportedly at risk of losing a player who Eddie Howe is “really pleased” with when the January transfer window arrives.
David Hopkinson excited about Newcastle role
The Magpies have made a significant appointment high up at the club, with David Hopkinson confirmed as the new CEO at St James’ Park.
Speaking about his important role, the boyhood Newcastle supporter admitted he couldn’t wait to get started, praising the magnitude of the club in the process.
“This is a magical place. We’re at St. James’ Park, we’re on the pitch where legends have played. We’ve got the stands here that have been filled with fans who are mad about this team, so there’s such an incredible starting place.
“We’re starting from such a high place – but we’ve also got this moment of potential transformation as we get ready to play on the biggest stages imaginable, higher ambitions than maybe we have had at different points in the club’s history.”Being part of this moment is where I think there’s opportunity for even more magic.”
Away from Hopkinson’s appointment, Newcastle-related transfer rumours continue to emerge.
This is even after the summer window deadline last Monday, with an exit claim now coming to light regarding one of Howe’s brightest young talents.
Newcastle ace wanted by European club in January
According to a new update from Bild [via Sport Witness], Eintracht Frankfurt could revisit their interest in Newcastle attacker Will Osula in January.
A move for the 22-year-old failed to materialise in the summer, but doesn’t appear to be deterring the Bundesliga outfit, who had wanted a £4.3m loan fee with a £17.3m obligation to buy him permanently.
William Osula scores for Newcastle
Losing Osula in January would be a shame, considering the Dane is a talented young player who Howe spoke positively about after his goalscoring cameo in the unfortunate 3-2 defeat at home to Liverpool last month.
“Really pleased. It’s a great finish. I thought he did well when he came on – he looked lively, strong and quick. It could have been a big moment for us – a point here would have been incredible from the players – but he can be very pleased with himself.”
That said, Newcastle have now brought in both Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, which could limit Osula’s minutes going forward.
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Granted, the Magpies are playing in four different competitions this season, so opportunities could still come his way, but if he sees his chances of featuring more regularly at Frankfurt, he may have a big decision to make when January arrives.
Right from the very start, spin dictated terms at Chepauk. Except these bowlers weren’t wearing yellow. Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine and Moeen Ali strangled the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), their combined figures 12-1-55-6. CSK avoided being all out for their lowest total (79) in IPL history but only just. The 24 additional runs they managed do not seem match-winning; 103 is still their lowest T20 score at home.MS Dhoni was back as captain of his team with Ruturaj Gaikwad injured and out of the season. He got what he wanted at the toss, for his team to bat first, but everything else played out according to Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) script. They brought in Moeen for the match-ups against CSK’s left-handers. That worked. He bowled a maiden over as he took Devon Conway down.They gave pace on for only five of the first 17 overs on a black soil pitch where the ball didn’t come onto the bat. Even those guys concentrated on bowling slower balls into the wicket. This discipline was the reason CSK just couldn’t break free no matter how often they tried. They recorded the second-lowest powerplay score in IPL 2025 – 31 for 2 – behind their own 30 for 3 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. They hit just three boundaries after the eighth over (one of them a top edge). They had to bring in Deepak Hooda as an Impact Player, accepting the risk of going in with a bowler short when they would have to defend this total but even that gamble backfired. Hooda fell for a duck and one of their key players, Matheesha Pathirana will not be able to take part in this game.MS Dhoni walked out at No. 9 and was crowded by a slip and short leg. He had to face only Narine and Chakravarthy against whom he has a poor record and that match-up paid off as well. KKR dismissed Dhoni for 1 off 4, although he reviewed the lbw decision and there seemed to be a spike as the ball passed the bat. The third umpire Vinod Seshan, though, upheld the on-field decision and coach Stephen Fleming seemed to take issue with that as he left the dugout in search of the reserve umpire. To cap it all off, Shivam Dube seemed to have picked up a leg injury in the last over of the innings.
Harry Kane appeared to dispel rumours of an imminent return to the Premier League when he suggested contract talks between his representatives and Bayern Munich could take place imminently. After bagging a brace in Bayern's 4-0 win over Werder Bremen on Friday night, the England captain emphasised he was truly "happy" in Bavaria. Kane's contract with the club runs until 2027.
Record-breaking Kane happy at Bayern
Friday night was a special one for Kane, as he became the fastest player to reach the 100-goal mark for a single club in Europe's top five leagues since the year 2000. His century for Bayern came in just 104 matches, supplanting Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland's previous mark of 105 games for Real Madrid and Manchester City, respectively. When asked about whether his success in Germany could lead to an extension with the club, Kane replied positively.
He said: "We can certainly talk about that. I have almost two years left. It's mot like I'm in the final year of my contract and anyone is panicking. I'm fine. The club is fine. I think they're happy with me, and I'm happy with hem. Those discussions can take place."
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Floated Tottenham return are just "rumours" says Kane
Speculation over the 32-year-old's future intensified in the past week, after reports of a clause allowing for Kane to be released from his contract for a fee of £57 million ($77m) emerged. Tottenham have first refusal on their former talisman, leading to multiple talking heads including ex-Tottenham striker Teddy Sheringham calling for the England captain to return to his former club to pursue Alan Shearer's Premier League goal record.
Spurs manager Thomas Frank stoked those fires, when he said Kane would be "more than welcome" to return to the club under his leadership. However, the Dane did suggest Kane would likely remain in Germany for the foreseeable future, something the player seemed to confirm himself when he dismissed any commentary on his future as "rumours".
Bayern executives praise Kane, expect him to stay
Understandably, the top brass at Bayern have felt the need to quash any speculation of a transfer away for Kane, heaping praise on the player in the immediate aftermath of his record-breaking performance against Werder Bremen. Chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said he went through "many sleepless nights" during the attempts to lure the striker to Bavaria. Dreesen added that he believes Kane's mind is very much focussed on the club.
"I don't have any feeling he's thinking about anything other than FC Bayern," he said. "I think that's been discussed more in the public, than it has been a topic with us."
The club's sporting director Christoph Freund also added: "There are many rumours about players from FC Bayern. We see how comfortable Harry feels and works here, I believe he will stay at FC Bayern for a long time to come."
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Kane off to flying start in the 2025-26 season
Kane is in scintillating form to start the 2025-26 season, bagging 19 goals in 13 appearances for club and country. Looking purely at his league form, he is currently scoring 2.21 goals per 90 minutes played in the Bundesliga. Despite increasing his output in front of goal, he continues to act as a provider, logging three assists in his five league appearances this term.
Arsenal were dealt a scare during their 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday as Noni Madueke, their most dangerous attacker in the first half, was substituted at the break. Mikel Arteta revealed after the game that the winger, who has impressed in recent weeks while deputising for Bukayo Saka, suffered an injury that prevented him from playing on into the second half.
Getty Images SportMadueke hooked at half-time despite electric showing
Madueke troubled City’s defence throughout the first half, forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into a vital save just before the break. However, Arteta made the surprise call to replace him with Saka at half-time, a move that initially puzzled fans at the Emirates. The Arsenal boss later confirmed that Madueke had picked up an issue early on and was unable to carry on.
When questioned whether Madueke's substitution was tactical, Arteta explained: “No, he had an issue very early in the match and he wasn't well enough to continue.” The manager will now wait to see if the England international recovers in time for Arsenal's upcoming fixtures.
Madueke's strong form at Arsenal
Madueke has impressed since his summer move to Arsenal from Chelsea, offering directness and creativity from the right wing. His injury scare comes at a delicate moment, with the Gunners balancing Premier League and cup commitments. While Gabriel Martinelli’s late equaliser salvaged a point against Manchester City, Arteta will be hoping his other in-form winger is not sidelined for long.
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Madueke in race to be fit for Newcastle clash
Arsenal travel to Newcastle United for a crucial Premier League clash next weekend after facing Port Vale in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. Madueke’s fitness will be closely monitored, with Saka ready to step back into the side if needed after returning to full fitness.
Leeds United kick off their 2025/26 Premier League campaign in ten days as they prepare to welcome Everton to Elland Road for their opening game.
The Whites may have a new-look defence in place when the Toffees come to town, as Lucas Perri, Sebastiaan Bornauw, and Gabriel Gudmundsson will all be hoping to start, whilst Jaka Bijol is suspended.
Daniel Farke has only had one new attacker added to his squad during the summer transfer window so far, though, as Lukas Nmecha joined on a free transfer from Wolfsburg.
The German head coach needs more recruits at the top end of the pitch to improve his attacking options, especially in the number ten position, where Brenden Aaronson plays.
Form against the 2024/25 Championship top six
Brenden Aaronson vs
Goals
Assists
Bristol City (A)
0
0
Burnley (H)
0
0
Sunderland (A)
0
0
Sheffield United (H)
0
0
Coventry (H)
0
0
Coventry (A)
0
0
Burnley (A)
0
0
Sunderland (H)
0
0
Sheffield United (A)
0
0
Bristol City (H)
0
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the USA international struggled badly against the top teams in the Championship, which does not suggest that he is likely to fare well against Premier League teams.
Leeds reportedly looked at a loan swoop for Aston Villa attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendia earlier in the window, but that particular rumour has gone cold.
Why Leeds may not want to sign Emiliano Buendia
A link to the Argentina international was always going to pop up during the summer transfer window, whether there was genuine interest or not, because of his relationship with Farke.
The Leeds boss signed Buendia for Norwich in the summer of 2018 and coached him for three seasons in Norfolk, winning two Championship titles in the process. During that time, the playmaker scored 24 goals and provided 41 assists in 121 appearances for the Canaries.
This shows why Farke may want to work with the Argentine magician again, as he delivered goals and assists on a regular basis for him in East Anglia.
However, Buendia turns 29 in December and he has yet to prove that he can deliver consistent quality at the top end of the pitch at Premier League level.
Emi Buendia’s Premier League career
Season
Appearances
Goals
Assists
24/25
12
0
0
22/23
38
5
2
21/22
35
4
6
19/20
36
1
7
Stats via Transfermarkt
Leeds, if he is not available on loan, may be reluctant to spend big money on an ageing player who has not fully proven himself as an attacking threat at the top level, with no more than five goals in any of his four seasons in the Premier League.
This may be why the West Yorkshire outfit are reportedly looking at alternative options to come in and bolster their options in the number ten position before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of September.
Leeds target is keen on Elland Road move
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post newsletter, as relayed by Leeds United News, Leicester City attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss is very interested in a move to Elland Road this summer.
The report claims that the player’s camp have confirmed that he is interested in signing for the Championship champions before the end of the window, and that a meeting has already been held to discuss a possible move.
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It adds that the Whites have also made an enquiry to Leicester about a potential deal to sign the Morocco international, who reportedly has a release clause of £22m in his contract.
Tottenham Hotspur, who will be in the Champions League in the 2025/26 campaign, have also been linked with an interest in the 21-year-old talent this month.
Leicester City's BilalElKhannoussin action
This latest update on El Khannouss’ eagerness to sign for Leeds will, therefore, come as a big boost to the Whites, who will be hoping to beat off competition from other teams to land his signature.
Why Leeds should sign Bilal El Khannouss
The West Yorkshire outfit should be pushing to get this deal over the line as quickly as possible, now that they know that the player is keen to make it happen, because he could be Farke’s new version of Buendia.
Unlike the Aston Villa attacker, the Leicester youngster is at the start of his career, at the age of 21, and Leeds would be signing a player who is on his way up in the game.
Bilal El Khannouss.
El Khannouss, who has been hailed as“exceptional” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve after his debut season in England, whilst Buendia is closer to the latter stages of his career and still searching for consistency.
The £22m-rated starlet showed flashes of quality in the Premier League with the Foxes, who were relegated, as he created eight ‘big chances’ in 27 starts.
24/25 Premier League
Bilal El Khannous per 90
Percentile rank vs AMs & wingers
xAG
0.19
Top 46%
Assists
0.12
Bottom 35%
Passes attempted
43.85
Top 15%
Progressive passes
5.28
Top 14%
Passes into the final third
3.67
Top 10%
Key passes
1.73
Top 37%
Through balls
0.45
Top 16%
Stats via FBref
As you can see in the table above, El Khannouss ranked highly among his positional peers in a host of passing and creative metrics for Leicester.
He was unfortunate to only register three assists from his eight ‘big chances created’ and 0.19 xAG per 90, as his teammates failed to make the most of the high-quality opportunities that were created for them.
These statistics suggest that the Leicester dynamo has the potential to be an incredibly creative force in the number ten position for Leeds, as he was able to shine as a creator in his first year in England as a young player in a team that got relegated.
The Whites will be hoping to put up more of a fight than the Foxes did in the Premier League, which may mean that El Khannouss has even more opportunities to showcase his creativity in what will, hopefully, be a more successful team on the pitch.
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Overall, the Morocco international could be Farke’s next Buendia as an impressive creative threat in the number ten position, and signing him over the former Norwich man may make more sense due to their respective ages and potential for growth in the years to come.
Afghanistan will host Bangladesh for three ODIs in the UAE in November. While the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) did not announce which cities would host the games exactly, it was confirmed that these ODIs are in lieu of the all-format tour that was supposed to happen earlier this year between the two sides as per the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP).The BCB had declined to tour the UAE or India in late June this year, to play Afghanistan, due to the summer temperatures. That forced the postponement of the tour, which has now been redesigned to include just the three ODIs, on November 6, 9 and 11.”Following extensive discussions, both boards have agreed to proceed with just the ODI leg, which will be crucial in both teams’ preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to take place in Pakistan in February next year,” the ACB’s press release said.BCB president Faruque Ahmed had said last week that he met with ACB officials on the sidelines of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Malaysia. The BCB was keen on pursuing the idea of three ODIs, as Bangladesh have played only three ODIs so far in 2024. They have three more against West Indies at the end of the year, but the BCB felt that alone would not be adequate preparation for the Champions Trophy.”I spoke to the officials of Afghanistan Cricket Board in Kuala Lumpur recently,” Ahmed said. “We [were] trying to schedule three one-day matches against Afghanistan on our way to the West Indies.”After the Afghanistan ODIs, Bangladesh will go to the Caribbean to play two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is from mid-November.Afghanistan have played eight ODIs this year, including a 2-1 maiden ODI series win against South Africa earlier this month. After the Bangladesh series in November, Afghanistan will tour Zimbabwe to play all three formats.
Everton only went from strength to strength to strength when the Friedkin Group ended Farhad Moshiri’s dysfunctional reign toward the end of 2024, moving swiftly to replace Sean Dyche with David Moyes in the dugout.
Relegation candidates in the bleak of winter, Everton played to Moyes’ tune across the second half of the campaign, finished comfortably in 13th place in the Premier League.
Everton manager DavidMoyesbefore the match
The Scotsman has overseen a slow start to the transfer window, albeit with chief executive Angus Kinnear settling in and dealing with an overload of potential departures. Albeit, Charly Alcaraz’s loan spell has been made permanent for a £13m fee.
Much has been made of the need for forwards, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin going and the Toffees closing in on his replacement in Villarreal striker Thierno Barry, 22, who has a £34.5m release clause.
But Everton may yet need to package their midfield with one or two impactful additions.
The latest on Everton's midfield situation
Everton always knew this was going to be a significant summer, with so many comings and goings taking place. Midfield is indeed more settled than other areas of the field, but the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure have departed, and with Alcaraz now a permanent feature, Everton might want to invest in a deeper-lying replacement.
There is, however, hope on Merseyside that 35-year-old star Idrissa Gana Gueye might renew his Everton vows to spend a year at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Gueye is still an effective player, but he’s a veteran, and it might be good to seek a replacement, one who could contest for that starting spot next season. That man might prove to be Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi, who has emerged as a top target for Everton.
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That’s what Football Insider believe, having detailed Everton’s desire to rival Manchester United for the Nigeria international by making a formal offer for the player.
Suitors are lining up as he is entering the penultimate year of his contract at the King Power, Leicester having been relegated from the Premier League last season.
GIVEMESPORT have also chimed in, stating that the Foxes recognise that clubs might not fancy paying the full release clause and might instead settle on a more agreeable £5m figure.
Part of this is due to Ndidi’s high £75k-per-week salary.
What Wilfred Ndidi would bring to Everton
Leicester signed Ndidi from Belgian side Genk way back in January 2017, when he was only 20 years old. Arriving in a deal worth £15m, he always had a huge task in replacing N’Golo Kante, but he’s done himself justice over his years on English soil.
Everton's Dwight McNeil in action with Leicester City's WilfredNdidi
Still only 28 years old, Ndidi has featured 303 times for his current club, notching 40 goal involvements and playing a tackle-heavy defensive role that has since bloomed into something more dynamic and modern, the anchor raised.
In this way, he could prove to be a fantastic replacement for Gueye but also an upgrade on the older man, bringing to Everton a fitting combative style but also a slick passing game that can help the evolution of Moyes’ system.
1.
Idrissa Gueye
Everton
123
2.
Daniel Munoz
Palace
109
3.
Noussair Mazraoui
Man Utd
102
4.
Moises Caicedo
Chelsea
100
5.
Joao Gomes
Wolves
99
Remarkably, no Premier League player won more tackles than Gueye in 2024/25, the veteran belying his age to play a priceless part in the stabilisation of a side that stared down the barrel of a smoking gun.
Everton need someone to step into his boots and emulate such qualities. Ndidi could be that man. Indeed, as per FBref, the 6 foot 2 star ranked among the top 5% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues last season for tackles, the top 7% for blocks, the top 3% for clearances and the top 4% for aerial battles won per 90.
Leicester City's WilfredNdidiin action with AFC Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier
He also averaged assists at a rate of 0.19 per 90, which underscores a ball-playing side to Ndidi’s game that could prove invaluable as Everton look to break free from the pragmaticism which has defined so much of their football in recent years, and instead become a force to be reckoned with in England’s top flight.
Gueye, by contrast, averaged 0.09 assists across all competitions in 2024/25. This was hardly to the detriment of Everton’s fluency and success; it wasn’t within the ball-winner’s jurisdiction. However, it illustrates the presence they would sign by reeling in Ndidi, for sure.
Last season, Ndidi served in a collapsing Leicester system, but he still plied his trade dutifully. As per Sofascore, across his 28 appearances in the league (all starts), the African midfielder racked up five assists, created five big chances and averaged 0.6 key passes per game.
Moreover, he won three tackles, 6.3 duels and made 4.5 ball recoveries on average each Premier League outing. Thus, his ability to slot right in and claim the torch from Gueye is highlighted.
Leicester were abject last year, but Ndidi has long been a pillar of strength in the Midlands. One FIFA expert even named him “the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League” back in 2020, while ESPN’s Colin Udoh described him as an “absolute monster”.
Of course, there’s hope that Gueye will be staying put over the coming year, but he will indeed turn 36 around the start of the campaign, and Everton will need to cover him – especially as the versatile midfielder Doucoure has left.
Moyes has succeeded in stabilising the club, and Kinnear will know, of course, that the wage bill has been slashed by the recent exodus, thus putting the high-salary Ndidi in an attainable bracket.
With Barry potentially shoring up the frontline for a hefty £34.5m fee, Everton could hit the jackpot in shrewdly signing Ndidi, for he could absorb some tricks of the trade from his older positional peer before emphatically replacing him down the line.
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Everton are edging closer to signing a La Liga forward
Arsenal have made a real splash in the market this summer, completing an array of high-profile deals with more to follow, but they’ll also need to sell this summer.
The north Londoners, once they announce their £50 million-plus deal for Noni Madueke, will have spent around £125 million on transfers, and that isn’t including their potential moves for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres and Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
25/26 – summer
£75m
Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Viktor Gyokeres, according to credible media sources, and the Swede is even refusing to train as he eyes a dream move to the Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, positive discussions have been held with Eze’s representatives too, and the 27-year-old could join Arsenal in an entirely separate deal to Madueke – so Andrea Berta could easily take Arsenal’s spending to over £200 million if these moves come to fruition.
The signing of Madueke has brought up question marks surrounding both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard’s futures.
Given Arsenal need to balance the books, either one of the left-wingers could realistically depart, with The Athletic previously reporting that Arsenal are not averse to a suitable bid for Martinelli and will consider selling for the right price.
The Brazilian’s contract also expires in 2027, but Arsenal do have an option to extend it by a further year. However, the same cannot be said for Trossard, who’s now entered the final 12 months of his deal, and this window represents a final opportunity for Berta to make any cash back off the 30-year-old’s exit.
Fenerbahce "working tirelessly" to sign Leandro Trossard from Arsenal
According to Turkish news outlet Ntvspor, via Fener Ajans, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce could give Arsenal an avenue to agree Trossard’s departure before his contract expires.
What’s more, they could do it in imminent fashion, with Fenerbahce “working tirelessly” to sign Trossard for pre-season, which begins in just three days, as the Süper Lig giants fly out to Portugal and begin their camp on July 14 (Daily Sabah).
The Belgian has been a very useful impact player for Arteta since his move from Brighton, and perhaps underrated, with Trossard featuring in every single Premier League game for them last season.
Trossard also bagged 10 goals and 10 assists across 56 appearances in all competitions during 2024/2025, and he’s thought of highly by Arteta, so his departure would certainly come as bitter-sweet.
“Trossard, great player. He’s a little magician,” said Arteta about Trossard in 2024.
“He can score on any surface, and he’s a big threat; so composed, so cool, he can play in different positions. It’s just a joy to have him in the team.”