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Wolverhampton Wanderers have now tabled a contract offer to sign an “excellent” midfielder, and they are looking to beat Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur to his signature, according to a report.

Wolves stepping up summer transfer plans

Wolves are on a remarkable run of form under the helm of Vitor Pereira, winning their last six Premier League games on the spin to move up to 13th in the table, and the manager will be hoping his side can carry the momentum into the 2025-26 campaign.

Before then, however, Pereira will have the opportunity to put his own stamp on the squad, and targets have been picked out in a number of areas in recent days, with Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy recently being named as an option at striker.

Internal talks have also been held over a move for West Bromwich Albion’s Grady Diangana, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer, although it may be difficult to convince the winger to move to the Baggies’ bitter rivals.

Vitor Pereira wants Wolves to sign 22 y/o ace who he's worked with before

He could be a strong addition to Wanderers’ midfield.

1 ByHenry Jackson Apr 25, 2025

With speculation building over Matheus Cunha’s future, it may be particularly important for Pereira to strengthen in forward areas this summer, but the Old Gold are also keen on strengthening their options in the middle of the park.

That is according to a report from Spain (via Sport Witness), which states Wolves have now offered to triple Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso’s salary, in a bid to lure the USA international to Molineux this summer.

Tottenham have a deal which allows them to buy Cardoso for €25m (£21m) which he agreed to last summer, but there is now a growing possibility that he leaves for a higher amount, with a €30m – €35m (£25m – £30m) move on the cards.

Interest is growing from within the Premier League, and the Old Gold’s willingness to triple his salary underlines just how highly the 23-year-old is regarded at Molineux.

"Excellent" Cardoso impressing in La Liga

It is little wonder that clubs are now queuing up to sign the Betis star, given that he has put in some impressive performances over the past year, most notably flourishing in a defensive role, although he also ranks relatively highly for non-penalty goals, when compared to other midfielders.

Statistic

Average per 90

Non-penalty goals

0.12 (72nd percentile)

Successful take-ons

0.96 (80th percentile)

Interceptions

2.12 (98th percentile)

Clearances

2.47 (91st percentile)

As such, the American is clearly a well-rounded midfielder, and he has also been praised for his ability to pick out his teammates by scout/writer Ben Mattinson.

It may be difficult for Wolves to compete for Cardoso’s signature, given that Tottenham have the option to sign him, but there is every indication he could be a success at Molineux if they are able to win the race.

The Brewers' dream to win the first World Series in franchise history is still alive.

Behind four strong innings from Jacob Misiorowski and three homers from three different players, Milwaukee defeated the Cubs 3–1 in Game 5 of the NLDS on Saturday night at American Family Field.

Milwaukee is heading to the NLCS for the first time since 2018.

All four runs scored in this game came on solo homers. William Contreras gave Milwaukee a 1–0 lead in the first inning, and Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki tied it up with one of his own in the second. Andrew Vaughn broke the tie in the fourth with a big swing to make it 2–1, and Brice Turang gave the Brewers an insurance run with a solo homer in the seventh for good measure.

As is custom in Milwaukee, the pitching was more of the story. The 23-year-old Misiorowski, pitching in his first postseason, allowed just one run across four innings to earn the win. Perhaps the most impressive outing of the night belonged to Chad Patrick, who got the Brewers out of a jam in the sixth and fanned the side in the seventh.

For the first time in seven years, Brewers fans at American Family Field are going home happy after watching their team win an elimination game.

Up next? The Dodgers. But first, here are three things we learned from the Brewers' big win:

No more heartbreak in Milwaukee

Playoff baseball in Milwaukee has mostly been synonymous with pain over the last decade.

In 2018, the Brewers were one win away from the World Series when they lost 5–1 to the Dodgers in Game 7 of the NLCS. Since then, the franchise has made five playoff appearances but hadn't won a single elimination game.

In 2019, the Brewers lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Nationals—who went on to win the whole thing—in the wild-card game. In '20, the Brewers were swept by the Dodgers. The following year brought a 3–1 series loss to the Braves in the NLDS, followed by another wild-card round sweep by the Diamondbacks in '23. In '24, the Brewers were literally two outs away from advancing before the Mets' Pete Alonso mashed a go-ahead three-run homer in the top of the ninth, crushing Milwaukee's postseason dreams.

Game 5, however, was finally a different story. The Brewers are moving on.

An unlikely hero

Perhaps nobody embodies the story of the 2025 Brewers more than Andrew Vaughn, a former first-round pick who sputtered out over four-plus seasons with the lowly White Sox.

Acquired in June in exchange for Aaron Civale and cash, Vaughn wasted no time getting comfortable in Milwaukee—and that carried into the playoffs. After batting .189/.218/.314 with Chicago earlier this year, Vaughn transformed the Brewers' offense and hit .308/.375/.493 in 64 games.

Vaughn smacked a three-run homer in the Brewers' 7–3 win in Game 2, and his bat showed up again Saturday night, clobbering a 3–2 pitch from Colin Rea over the left-field wall for a 2–1 lead in the fourth inning.

Brewers get their revenge on Craig Counsell

The heart and soul of the Brewers organization will always be the late, great Bob Uecker. But for the better part of a decade, the face of baseball in Milwaukee was current Cubs manager Craig Counsell.

A native of Whitefish Bay, Wis., Counsell grew up rooting for the Brewers. He ended up playing more games for the Brewers (711) than any other team across 16 years in the big leagues, and after retiring following the 2011 season, Counsell was named Milwaukee's manager in '15.

Over nine seasons from 2015 to '23, Counsell took the Brewers—a franchise which had made a total of four playoff appearances in its history when he was hired—to the postseason five times. He's the all-time franchise leader in managerial wins. So it was beyond shocking in November 2023 when he packed his bags and left Milwaukee—not for the Mets, as many expected, with former Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns—but for the archrival Cubs, located just 90 miles south on I-94.

There's still plenty of respect between Counsell and the Brewers, and in fact, he and Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy are good pals. But so far, it appears the Brewers have won the breakup. That was certainly the case Saturday night.

Offspinner Freya Sargent is back in Ireland’s squad for the upcoming three-match women’s T20I series against Pakistan at home.Sargent, 19, had missed Ireland’s most recent white-ball series against Zimbabwe. Lara McBride, who made her ODI and T20I debuts against Zimbabwe last month, retained her place in the squad.Allrounder Sophie MacMahon, who was part of the squad for the Zimbabwe series, missed the cut for the Pakistan T20Is.Related

• Eyman Fatima gets maiden T20I call-up for Pakistan's tour of Ireland

Gaby Lewis will continue to captain Ireland after leading them to a 5-0 sweep of Zimbabwe in the white-ball series. Lewis is set to become the second Ireland woman, after Laura Delany, to play 100 T20Is in the third game in Dublin on August 10. Dublin will also host the first two matches on August 6 and August 8.”After a strong 5-0 series win against Zimbabwe Women across formats under new head coach Lloyd Tennant, it’s great to be able to move so quickly into what will understandably be a much tougher assignment against Pakistan Women in Clontarf for this T20I series,” Ciara O’Brien, the national women’s selector, said in a statement. “With the upcoming matches, our preparation continues for the ICC Women’s T20I World Cup Europe Qualifier in the Netherlands in a few weeks, so we’re looking to see this latest momentum continued by the squad at Clontarf.”Ireland have played Pakistan in 20 women’s T20Is, winning four and losing 15, with one match abandoned. Ireland had won the previous T20I series between the two teams in 2022.

Ireland T20I squad

Gaby Lewis (capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Laura Delany, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell

Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign an “agile” Emiliano Martinez replacement, who has been in impressive form so far this season.

Villa eyeing new goalkeeper amid Martinez uncertainty

Martinez is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but he has looked shaky at times this season, off the back of major interest from Manchester United during the summer transfer window, before they ultimately decided to bring in Senne Lammens.

The Argentinian was criticised for not doing more to prevent Lukas Nmecha’s goal in the 2-1 victory against Leeds United, although the performances against AFC Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers were much more encouraging.

That said, with the shot-stopper now 33-years-old, and Villa willing to accept January bids, potential replacements are now being identified, including Manchester City’s James Trafford and Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin.

According to a report from Sky Sports, a Bundesliga star is also of interest to Unai Emery’s side, namely Borussia Monchengladbach’s Moritz Nicolas, who wants to move to a top club next summer, given his ambitions to play in Europe.

A number of clubs are in the race for Nicolas, who stands at 6’3, including Villa, who view the colossus as a successor to Martinez, although the Argentina international remains under contract until the summer of 2029.

Aston Villa plotting £18m bid for "tremendous" defender, Martinez is a big fan

The Villans are planning a move for a new centre-back, who is also being targeted by Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

ByDominic Lund Nov 27, 2025 "Agile" Nicolas in top form in the Bundesliga

The 28-year-old was nominated for Borussia Monchengladbach’s Player of the Season award last season, as a result of being the second-best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga in terms of xG prevented, conceding just 25 from an xG of 33.5.

After the nomination, the Monchengladbach star received plaudits from board member Roland Virkus, who said: “Mo is very agile for his height and is also really good with his feet.”

Having averaged a save percentage of 74.8% per 90 over the past year, the German places in the 81st percentile, when compared to other goalkeepers, which suggests he could be a solid replacement for Martinez, with the Villa goalkeeper averaging 71.1%.

Not only that, but the former Roda JC man has already amassed five Bundesliga clean sheets this season, including three in his last four matches, most recently making four saves to keep RB Leipzig at bay in a 0-0 draw.

Nicolas clearly has the quality to be Martinez’s successor, but Aston Villa should look to keep hold of their goalkeeper if possible, given that he is already proven in the Premier League, showcasing his quality by making three saves from inside the box against Wolves last time out.

We’ve known for more than a year that Kyle Tucker would be the prize free agent this offseason. Now it’s time for him to find a new home.

Tucker spent the 2025 season with the Cubs after they swung a huge deal to land him from the Astros last December. It was pretty much understood from the jump that his time in Chicago would be short, as the Cubs have no plans to ink him to the kind of contract he’ll surely land on the open market.

The 28-year-old four-time All-Star missed a chunk of the season while dealing with a calf injury and a small fracture in his right hand. That certainly impacted his numbers. In 136 games, he slashed .266/.377/.464, with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases. His wRC+ of 136 was good, but also his lowest mark since 2022, and he produced 4.5 fWAR. He has only played in 214 games over the past two seasons, but remained mostly healthy for the prior three years.

When Juan Soto got $765 million from the Mets, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. landed $500 million from the Blue Jays, Tucker had to be thrilled. He’s likely in line for a 10-plus year deal in the $400 million range that will likely pay him at least $35 million a year, and potentially more.

Here’s a look at four potential landing spots for Tucker in free agency.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Most MLB fans are going to hate this, but it’s the fit that makes the most sense. While the Dodgers are undoubtedly a juggernaut, their biggest offensive weakness was in the outfield during the 2025 campaign. L.A.’s left fielders combined to produce -2.4 WAR, led by Michael Conforto’s brutal season (-0.7). Teoscar Hernandez (1.5) also had an average campaign after signing a big contract in the offseason, while Any Pages (3.8) broke out before falling apart in the postseason. Adding Tucker would allow the Dodgers to shift Hernandez to left field, where he belongs, and shore up the only weak spot in the team’s lineup. And, let’s be real, they won’t have an issue affording his massive deal.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants have been looking to add a top left-handed bat for years. They got one by trading for Rafael Devers, but the team’s offense collapsed after that addition before finding some footing late in the season. Still, San Francisco finished 22nd in OPS (.697), 25th in batting average (.235) and 19th in home runs (173). The Giants have about $137 million committed to players for 2026, giving them plenty of room to bring in Tucker, and he’d fit perfectly in right field immediately. A lineup that includes Tucker, Devers, Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, and Bryce Eldridge would pack a ton of punch and potentially be good enough to challenge the Dodgers in the NL West.

New York Yankees

Cody Bellinger opted out of his contract, and Trent Grisham is hitting free agency, which means the Yankees will lose 63 home runs from their outfield. Over the past few years, they’ve missed on adding the top bats available, most notably in losing out on Juan Soto and having to watch him walk across town to the Mets. Tucker’s left-handed swing would do damage at Yankee Stadium’s short porch. In 16 games as a visiting player, he has four home runs, but only a .698 OPS and a 98 wRC+. I feel safe in saying that wouldn’t hold long-term. He’s a fit now and in the long run as a star to pair with Aaron Judge.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies face the prospect of losing Kyle Schwarber in free agency, and there’s a chance they will entertain trading Bryce Harper. If either happens, they’ll need a left-handed bat to replace them. Enter Tucker, who fills a huge need at the plate and in the field. Philadelphia’s outfielders struggled in 2025, as none of them produced more than 1.7 WAR, and Nick Castellanos finished underwater at -1.0. Schwarber, Harper, and Trea Turner played at or near their expected levels, but the rest of the offense dragged behind. More punch is needed, even if they keep their two biggest bats. Tucker’s presence would make everyone better.

Cummins is the fifth-fastest to 300 Test wickets in terms of balls bowled, reaching the milestone in 13,725 balls

Shubh Agarwal12-Jun-20251:53

‘Once the ball gets older, Cummins puts his hand up’

Pat Cummins has reached the milestone of 300 Test wickets, claiming his 14th five-wicket haul during the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s. Picking five of the six South African wickets to fall on day two, Cummins finished with figures of 6 for 28 in 18.1 overs.Six wickets short at the start of the Test, he has now become the 40th bowler to reach the landmark and the eighth for Australia. Among pacers, he is the 30th to enter this club and the sixth for Australia.Cummins is the fifth-fastest to reach there in terms of balls bowled, completing 300 wickets in 13,725 balls, beating Malcolm Marshall by three deliveries. His bowling strike rate of 45.75 is the best for an Australian seamer.He also levelled with Imran Khan to become the joint-tenth-fastest to complete 300 wickets, reaching there in 68 Test matches.Cummins has picked up 136 wickets as the captain of his side. Among pace-bowling captains, only Imran has picked up more wickets (187). Among Australian captains, only Richie Benaud is ahead by a slender margin of two wickets. Overall, only ten bowlers have picked up over 100 Test wickets while being the captain of their side.Cummins has been among Australia’s greatest match-winners with the ball in this format. Overall, 184 of his Test wickets before this WTC final came in wins. The likes of Jason Gillespie, Mitchell Johnson, Dennis Lillee, Brett Lee, Mitchell Starc and Glenn McGrath are ahead but no one has a better average than Cummins’ 18.09, which is bound to improve further if Australia win the WTC final to claim their second successive title.Also, he is only the second Australian to claim over 200 wickets in the WTC, and the only quick bowler in the list with 206 wickets at 22.11 runs apiece.Cummins has mostly been a first-change bowler for Australia, coming in after the new ball bowlers in 48 of the 126 innings in which he has bowled in Test cricket. He is the only Australia quick with more than 100 wickets as a first-change bowler, with Peter Siddle behind him with 87 wickets on this metric. Among those who have over 50 wickets as the first-change bowler, only Scott Boland (52 wickets) has a better average than that of Cummins (Boland 15.75, Cummins 24.50).Overall, only four quick bowler have more than 100 Test wickets as first-change bowler – Courtney Walsh (106), Cummins (107), Morne Morkel (129) and Ian Botham (129).Cummins made his Test debut in 2011. However, after one Test – where he was the Player of the Match against South Africa – he was sidelined for six years owing to recurring injuries, and made a return in 2017 when he played his second Test. England’s Joe Root has been the highest run-scorer during Cummins’ career since November 2011, scoring 13,006 runs in this period.Cummins has dismissed Root 11 times, the most time he has dismissed a single batter in Test cricket, followed by Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma (eight times each).He also holds the record for the best bowling average for an Australia fast bowler in a calendar year with more than 50 wickets. He averaged 20.13 for his 59 wickets in 2019, bettering Lillee’s feat in 1981 – 85 wickets at 20.95.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes England is "not ready for a black superstar" like Jude Bellingham amid a wave of ongoing criticism for the midfielder. The Real Madrid star has endured limited game time for the Three Lions in recent months and was criticised for his reaction to being substituted in Albania. Now, however, ex-striker Wright has leapt to the defence of the 22-year-old.

Bellingham under scrutiny

Despite being an important player for Madrid and playing a big role in England's run to the final of Euro 2024, Bellingham is not a guaranteed starter under manager Thomas Tuchel. The German caused a stir in June when he said his mother finds some of Bellingham's on-field actions "repulsive" – something he later apologised for. The former Borussia Dortmund talisman was then left out of England's games in October, despite recovering from shoulder surgery. Then, when the attacking midfielder was accused of a negative reaction to being taken off late on in England's 2-0 win over Albania at the weekend, Tuchel said he would review his actions. 

When asked whether Bellingham is possibly not buying into the collective of the England team, he told reporters: "That is a bad impression. It should be about the collective. What we did in camp is all about the collective. I have to then review it – I was happy about the goal. I had a quick talk with Morgan Rogers, and I was sure that everyone celebrated together. I will have a look at it. That is not the image we want to transport. We feel everyone is committed and that everyone accepts tough decisions, be it before the match or in the match."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWright 'worried' for Bellingham

As the criticism continues to rain down on Bellingham, Wright has come to the aid of the youngster, saying that media coverage of him is influenced by his skin colour and that he "frightens certain people".

He said on Stick to Football: "What they said about Jude not celebrating was complete fabrication, it was a lie. What they’ve tried to do is build something, because England have won so easily, they’ve not conceded any goals. They needed something else to pile on top of the narrative. 

"I’m worried for Jude simply because he’s somebody that they can’t control. You can’t control him. Coming off the, ‘Who else?’ and what he’s done at the World Cup (European Championship), he’s showing people that ‘I’m here, I’m black and proud and ready to go'.  I’m an Englishman, even though when I was younger, people used to say to me, ‘Yeah but you’re not really English, are you?’ — ‘Yeah, I’m English.’ I don’t think they’re ready for a black superstar who can move like Jude’s moving, they can’t touch him, like I just said. He goes out there, performs, does what he does, says, ‘Who else?’ It’s too uppity for these people.

“I’ll put it in football terms. They love N’Golo Kante, he’s a humble black man, he gets on with what he’s doing. I’m not saying he’s an Uncle Tom or anything, that’s how his personality is. But if you get a (Paul) Pogba or a Bellingham, and you get that kind of energy, that does not sit well with the people, that kind of person. For someone like Jude, for some reason, frightens people because of his capability and the inspiration he can give.

"It’s something that you’re taught as a black man when you’re going out there, you just want to do the best you can and keep your head down and be, for want of a better word, a humble f*****g slave. This is dragging up from that kind of energy. Because if you are outspoken, black, playing to that level and not caring, that frightens certain people, and that’s what’s going to happen with Jude."

False narrative over Bellingham's behaviour

This is the second time in a matter of days that Wright has stuck up for the Birmingham City academy product. After the Albania match, Wright accused the media of making a mountain out of a molehill when it came to Bellingham's conduct.

"They [the media] need to create this kind of beef because there's nothing else to talk about till the World Cup, so it's gonna be this all the way to the World Cup," Wright wrote on Instagram. "They hate that they can't get to him. They hate that they can't influence his career like they have done to so many before him. A blessed young man with talent and love in abundance."

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Bellingham?

Now that England have qualified for the World Cup and played their last games of 2025, the Three Lions stars will head back to their clubs for the foreseeable future. Bellingham is likely to be part of Tuchel's 2026 World Cup squad but whether this media storm blows over or if he can usurp Morgan Rogers in the starting XI remains to be seen.

The good times keep rolling on for Arsenal this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side continued their winning run against Burnley on the weekend and remain seven points clear of Liverpool atop the Premier League.

It was another convincing performance from the North Londoners, and one in which Declan Rice once again proved that he is one of, if not the best, midfielders in the league.

However, the former West Ham United captain was not the only standout performer, as another of Arteta’s men continued the Ballon d’Or-level campaign he’s having this year.

Rice's sensational season

When Arsenal spent a club-record £105m on Rice in the summer of 2023, there was an awful lot of pressure on the Englishman.

Everyone knew that he was a sensational footballer at the time, but it’s a rare thing for someone to justify being worth more than £100m.

Fortunately for Arteta and Co, he has achieved that and more over the last two and a bit years, first shining as an out-and-out six and then transitioning more into a marauding eight.

His first two campaigns in North London were brilliant, with him producing 17 goal involvements in the first and 19 in the second, but this year, he has taken another massive step forward.

With Martin Zubimendi now in the side, Arteta has once again modified the 26-year-old’s role in the team, with him telling the press on international duty that the manager has “adjusted my position at Arsenal a bit this year to give me a bit more freedom to drop deeper but to also get in the box when I can.”

This has seen the “world-class” international, as dubbed by journalist Tom Marshall-Bailey, spend more time in the middle of the park breaking up opposition attacks, but also then bursting forward to help create opportunities for the team.

For example, according to FBref, he ranks in the top 13% of midfielders in the league for touches in the middle third, and also in the top 1% for progressive carries, the top 4% for expected assists, and more per 90.

Rice’s Scout Report

Statistics

Per 90

Percentile

Progressive Carries

2.80

Top 1%

Inswinging Corner Kicks

2.69

Top 1%

Total Passing Distance

1104.63

Top 4%

xA: Expected Assists

0.22

Top 4%

Dead-ball Passes

7.84

Top 4%

Crosses

5.82

Top 4%

Corner Kicks

4.03

Top 4%

Total Carrying Distance

304.48

Top 4%

Progressive Carrying Distance

143.28

Top 4%

Carries into Final Third

2.57

Top 4%

Shots from Free Kicks

0.22

Top 6%

Passes Completed

61.34

Top 6%

Passes Attempted

72.54

Top 6%

Progressive Passing Distance

281.08

Top 6%

SCA (Dead-ball Pass)

1.23

Top 6%

GCA (Dead-ball Pass)

0.22

Top 6%

Touches

80.93

Top 6%

Touches (Att 3rd)

22.28

Top 6%

% of Aerials Won

68.4%

Top 7%

Passes Completed (Long)

5.93

Top 8%

Live-ball Passes

64.48

Top 8%

Switches

0.67

Top 8%

Carries

48.69

Top 8%

All Stats via FBref

In other words, the Gunners’ monstrous number 41 is, in the words of Ashley Williams, an utterly “complete midfielder.”

Finally, on top of everything he does during open play, Rice has a shout for being the best setpiece specialist in the world, as whether it’s a corner or a free kick, he can and will drop the ball exactly where his teammates want it – just as he did against Burnley.

With all that said, there is another Arsenal star who is performing at a Ballon d’Or level this season.

The Arsenal star at a world-class level

With Arsenal doing so well this season, there are several players who could be described as playing at a Ballon d’Or level.

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For example, Zubimendi has hit the ground running, Jurrien Timber has been sensational in attack and defence, and Riccardo Calafiori is a joy to watch.

However, when it comes to picking Arsenal’s best player so far this year, it’s impossible to look past Gabriel Magalhães.

The Brazilian has almost entirely rid his game of the mistakes that led to some questioning him in the past, and has instead become one of the most reliable defenders in the league.

Whether the ball is in the air or on the ground, the former LOSC Lille ace always seems to know how to deal with it, and perhaps the most complimentary thing you can say about him is that William Saliba looks that little bit less assured without him in the backline.

Moreover, the 6 foot 3 “colossus,” as dubbed by Adam Keys, has made the Gunners a far more physically imposing team, as few, if any, opposition players can cope with his physicality.

So far this season, he has made 15 appearances for the North Londoners, 13 of which have been starts, playing a massive role in the side, conceding just three goals and standing a chance of beating Chelsea’s record of conceding just 15 in a league campaign.

Finally, it’s not just his defensive brilliance that makes the Brazilian a world-class talent, but also his offensive prowess.

For example, his assist for Viktor Gyokeres means no other defender in the Premier League has been involved in more goals than him since his arrival in 2020.

Moreover, just this season alone, the 27-year-old has been able to score twice and provide three assists, which would be a great return for a top-quality ten, let alone a centre-back.

Ultimately, due to his outstanding defending and exceptional attacking qualities, it has become increasingly clear that Gabriel is currently performing at a Ballon d’Or level this season.

Related Arsenal's "signing of the summer" has turned Rice into the best in the PL

Arsenal have hit the jackpot with one of Mikel Arteta’s latest additions at the Emirates.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Nov 3, 2025

Chelsea are a force to be reckoned with in the transfer market and could now be set to launch an ambitious bid to land Vinicius Jr at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have endured an intriguing start to the campaign, where their Premier League form has been a little inconsistent, albeit a confidence-boosting EFL Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek will serve to benefit Enzo Maresca.

Ill-discipline is a factor that will need to be rectified. Despite his return from injury, Liam Delap was dismissed for two cheap bookings against the Old Gold, leaving his side in the lurch as they narrowly saw it through to claim a place in the quarter-finals.

Bereft of attacking options at times this season, Maresca has needed to turn to the likes of Marc Guiu and Tyrique George to step into the breach. While both have shown potential, there is a need for more experience in the final third to convert chances.

Undoubtedly, BlueCo’s signing model has been based on identifying stars with potential to become world-class. Estevao is a prime example of Todd Boehly’s operation in action, though you get the feeling there is room for another exciting reinforcement to arrive.

With that in mind, the Blues have identified a world-leading star they believe could now become a central part of their plans at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea "ready to bid" for Vinicius Jr amid tensions with Xabi Alonso

According to reports in Spain, Chelsea are set to launch a January bid for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr, who is set to find himself out of contract in the Spanish capital in 2027 and is at odds with manager Xabi Alonso.

BlueCo see him as a “market opportunity, a high-impact signing” and believe he could be the focal point of their project.

After a return of five goals and four assists in 13 appearances this term, the Brazil international has attracted interest from the Blues, Manchester City and Manchester United. He is seen as someone who could become central to the Stamford Bridge project.

Dubbed the best player in the world by Cristiano Ronaldo, the Champions League winner is expected to have a high release clause value and also earns around £350,000 per week, placing challenging obstacles in the way of a deal being completed.

Risk is involved in any transfer, and Chelsea will know that he won’t come cheap. However, his situation is said to be the most uncertain of his career, proving that his seemingly untouchable status at the Santiago Bernabeu may be at risk.

Vinicius Jr is in the top 10 of 2026 Ballon d'Or power rankings

Incredibly, Fotmob calculate the 25-year-old has already created 23 chances and perfected 24 dribbles in La Liga this term, and he appears to be at the top of his game before Brazil head to the 2026 World Cup intent on securing glory.

Chelsea are wise to these developments and feel the right time to make an offer will be when the transfer window opens, making this one to keep an eye on over the next few months.

Aston Villa were steadily getting back to their best across October.

Indeed, five straight wins had been collected by Unai Emery’s men, with three of those victories falling in October, before a trip to Dutch outfit Go Ahead Eagles fell on the calendar in the Europa League.

Yet, even with Evann Guessand netting after just four minutes had been played, the Eredivisie hosts would collect a surprise 2-1 win come full-time, as Emery and Co. cursed their luck away from Villa Park.

On another night, Villa might well have at least collected a share of the points. Unfortunately, though, Emiliano Buendia noticeably underperformed throughout, with a second-half missed penalty from the ex-Norwich City midfielder only further confirming that it was the hosts’ lucky day.

Buendia's poor showing against Go Ahead Eagles

Before his Europa League hiccup, Buendia had very much shown Emery why he was deserving of more consistent first-team minutes.

It was widely reported this summer that Buendia was on the brink of a move away from the West Midlands, with his future at the club still remaining uncertain if Villa need to cash in on an asset here and there to satisfy PSR troubles.

Despite all this distracting chatter, Buendia had managed to let his football do the talking as of late, with a standout haul of three goals and an assist from 11 appearances.

However, his poor day at the office in the Netherlands does have the potential to trouble his concrete starting position.

The out-of-sorts number ten would spurn another big chance away from missing that vital spot-kick, with Buendia also uncharacteristically sloppy with the ball at his feet, with possession surrendered a worrying 17 times.

Off the back of this individual showing, leaving a sour taste in Emery’s mouth, the Spaniard could look to alternate options in the number ten spot when Premier League action returns, with Morgan Rogers an easy fix here.

He might not be afforded a spot down the left wing, either, with Guessand scoring from this spot on the pitch against Melvin Boel’s hosts, as the ex-OGC Nice forward was in the right place, at the right time, to poke home a rebound.

Emery will want all of his attackers to be as instinctive as the Ivorian when Manchester City come to town next, with this other notable Villa first-teamer fearful of his starting spot subsequently, after another quiet game passed him by mid-week.

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The former Arsenal boss isn’t blessed with plentiful options in the centre-forward department anymore, with super sub Jhon Duran now plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League, after once being seen as an ideal second-in-command figure.

This has ramped up the pressure on Ollie Watkins’ shoulders, arguably, with his forgettable season so far displaying a striker in clear decline, with talkSPORT’s Troy Deeney even calling out the England international as being way “off it” back in September, when his goal output had already begun to disastrously dry up.

Games played

12

Minutes played

822

Goals scored

1

Assists

0

Since this scathing assessment from the former Watford centre-forward, Watkins has only gone on to pick up an unsatisfactory one strike for the Villans from 12 matches, with Emery clearly losing patience with his usual reliable starter when benching him last time out in the Premier League against Tottenham Hotspur.

Villa didn’t look lost without their 88-goal man leading the line, either, with ex-Borussia Dortmund man Donyell Malen filling in as the main marksman somewhat competently, as the likes of the aforementioned Rogers and Buendia stole the show with goals from the midfield areas.

Watkins didn’t exactly bang the door down to reclaim his top-flight starting spot with his shoddy showing against Go Ahead Eagles, with what should have been a confidence-boosting night only sapping the 29-year-old’s belief even more, as three shots failed to find the back of the net from his minimal 17 touches of the ball.

Guessand might even be the face that Emery chooses to start up top against Pep Guardiola’s challengers, if he wants to experiment away from a goalless Malen, with eight goals actually collected by the versatile Ivorian from this position for Nice, as Watkins fears another spot warming the bench is going to come his way later today.

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