Leeds United have been linked with making an out of work manager their next boss and a new update has dropped regarding the situation, amid doubts over Daniel Farke’s future.
The Whites sit 16th in the Premier League table currently, with four defeats in their last five matches in the competition seeing the pressure increase on Farke and Marco Rose linked with replacing him.
That said, Sky Sports‘ Zinny Boswell has recently played down rumours of Farke being relieved of his duties any time soon, although there is a tough run of fixtures on the horizon.
“Leeds have no plans to change their head coach as things stand amid growing discontent among supporters and, after taking 11 points from 11 Premier League games, the club and Farke feel the team are currently on course to achieve their goal of survival.
“Sitting one point above the relegation zone, Leeds have the hardest schedule in the Premier League over the next five matches, according to Opta, with Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool visiting Elland Road as well as trips to Manchester City and Brentford. The fact Farke’s scheduled in for broadcast interviews next week is as strong an indication as any that he will be in the hot seat for at least some of those games and, although it is a daunting run, there is a belief internally that the Elland Road factor is a reason for optimism.”
"Available" Rodgers linked with replacing Farke at Leeds
Now, speaking to Leeds United News, journalist Graeme Bailey has discussed Brendan Rodgers being Leeds’ next boss, saying he could be a strong option something which “piles the pressure” on Farke.
There is plenty to admire about Rodgers as a manager, should he become a genuine option for Leeds, with the 52-year-old winning the FA Cup with Leicester City in 2021 and guiding Celtic to four Scottish Premiership titles, among other trophies.
He is an attack-minded manager famed for playing good football in a 4-3-3 formation, and he has huge experience in the Premier League, even coming close to winning the title with Liverpool back in 2013/14, entertaining the masses and getting the best out of the likes of Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard.
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That said, it doesn’t appear as though 49ers Enterprises are going to rush into a decision with Farke for the time being, but the situation could change if they struggle in these tough upcoming games.
Leeds now eyeing 4-4-2 "quick and dynamic" manager to replace Daniel Farke
Barcelona director Deco has labelled discussion of coach Hansi Flick's style "irrelevant" after a chaotic 3-3 Champions League draw with Club Brugge. Despite defensive frailties, Deco insists the club "know perfectly well" where to improve and will rely on nothing other than hard work, drawing parallels to overcoming difficulties last season.
Barcelona's defensive frailties exposed in chaotic Brugge draw
Flick's side twice came from behind before they ultimately needed a 77th-minute own goal from Christos Tzolis to salvage a point in Belgium. The result has intensified scrutiny on Flick's high-risk, possession-based system, which has produced 12 goals but also conceded seven in four Champions League matches.
The match at the Jan Breydel Stadium perfectly encapsulated Barcelona's current struggles. The Catalans dominated the ball, enjoying 77% possession and registering 23 shots, but were repeatedly carved open on the counter-attack.
Club Brugge, in contrast, were ruthlessly efficient, scoring three times from just 11 total shots, with six of those hitting the target.
Barcelona found themselves trailing after just six minutes to a Nicolo Tresoldi goal before Ferran Torres equalised. Carlos Forbs put the hosts back in front, and after Lamine Yamal's 61st-minute leveller, Forbs struck again just two minutes later to make it 3-2.
Despite Flick previously stating he would not compromise on his aggressive style, the recurring defensive lapses have raised questions about the squad's suitability for the system.
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Deco insists 'style discussion is irrelevant'
Speaking to the club's media during an open training session at the Camp Nou, Deco was clear that the club's hierarchy is not panicking and is aware of the problems.
When questioned about Flick's style and the team's defensive vulnerabilities, the sporting director shut down the debate.
"The issue of discussing style is irrelevant," Deco said. "We already know perfectly well where we can improve and the difficulties we face.
"Last season we also went through some difficult times and we were able to overcome them. By getting players back and regaining our form, staying united, and working hard… That's what we have to do.
"We did it last season and we're going to do the same this season. Nothing can change things except hard work and dedication."
La Masia's new generation yet to play at 'spectacular' Camp Nou
Deco's comments were made as the squad trained at the still-under-renovation Camp Nou, a move designed to familiarise the team's new faces with their future home.
The director noted the "spectacular" progress of the stadium and the squad's anticipation of a return from their temporary home at Montjuic.
"All of us at the club who are still in Montjuic miss being here," Deco said. "It feels like it was a magnificent stadium before, and now it's even more so. There are memories, of course, but the most important thing is that we can return as soon as possible. It's different playing here; the players have the same feeling."
He also highlighted a remarkable statistic: that eight members of the current squad, many of them homegrown, have never played an official match at Camp Nou due to the two-and-a-half-year renovation.
"This is a sign that things have been done well, that there are homegrown players, from La Masia, and this is important and a good sign because in the last two and a half years that we've been away, we've been able to bring through important players from La Masia," he said. "That's what Barca is about; the president was looking for this project."
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What next? Barcelona's precarious Champions League position
The 3-3 draw in Belgium leaves Barcelona in 11th place in the new Champions League league-phase standings. With a record of two wins, one draw, and one loss, they remain in a solid position to qualify for the play-off round (spots 9-16).
However, the result puts significant pressure on their final four league phase matches if they hope to secure a top-eight finish, which guarantees direct entry into the last 16.
Flick and Deco will be acutely aware that conceding seven goals in four European matches is not a sustainable rate for a team with ambitions of challenging for the trophy. The immediate priority will be to find a defensive balance in La Liga before their next European test, without sacrificing the attacking principles Flick is determined to maintain.
Arsenal’s fourth Premier League win in a row yesterday has seen the Gunners take a huge stride towards finally ending their drought for a league title.
Mikel Arteta’s men secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates – a result that takes his side four points clear at the summit.
It was far from a vintage display for the Spaniard’s outfit, but the manager will be pleased that his side managed to battle through the adversity and claim three more vital points.
The likes of Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres endured quiet afternoons in North London and were unable to add to their tallies in the 2025/26 campaign.
However, one player did manage to step up to the plate and produce the goods and subsequently pop up with the vital contribution yesterday afternoon.
Eberechi Eze’s display against Crystal Palace
Back in the summer transfer window, Arsenal forked out a fee in the region of £67.5m for the signature of Eberechi Eze – in an attempt to bolster their depth and quality in the final third.
Since arriving from Crystal Palace, the England international had only netted one goal, with such an effort coming against League One side Port Vale in the Carabao Cup.
Ahead of the clash, there was a sense of inevitability he would score against his former employers – and that he did, firing home a loose ball just minutes before half-time.
Alongside his first Premier League goal, Eze also impressed with his creativity, subsequently registering seven passes into the final third, which saw him create two chances in the process.
The 27-year-old also won five of the seven duels he entered, whilst also completing 100% of the duels he entered – producing a really impressive all-round showing in North London.
However, despite Eze’s showing, one other Gunner managed to impress in the triumph, with the regular starter now becoming one of the manager’s most important players.
The Arsenal star who’s becoming one of Arteta’s most important players
Gabriel has been one of Arsenal’s star men over the last couple of years, with his performances at both ends having a real impact on the club’s ability to challenge for a title.
The Brazilian’s showing against Palace yesterday was yet another example of his quality, with the centre-back hitting the woodwork and coming perilously close to his third goal of the campaign.
Out of possession, he led the Gunners to a sixth Premier League clean sheet of the campaign, after making six clearances and winning 100% of the ground duels he entered.
However, the 27-year-old isn’t alone in becoming a key man for Arteta, with midfielder Declan Rice producing a phenomenal display against Palace yesterday afternoon.
The Englishman had huge expectations placed upon him after his £105m transfer from West Ham United, but it’s safe to say he’s massively surpassed all of the supporters’ expectations.
He’s started all but one league game this campaign, with his showing against the Eagles one of his most impressive over the last couple of months.
Rice created three chances and made two tackles during the victory, both of which were the highest tallies of any player on the pitch throughout the 90-minute match.
Declan Rice – stats against Palace
Statistics
Tally
Minutes played
82
Touches
72
Chances created
3
Tackles won
2
Passes completed
38
Passes into final third
12
Interceptions made
2
Aerials won
100%
Stats via FotMob
Other figures, such as 38 passes completed, with 12 being into the final third, showcase his incredible composure with the ball to dictate the play at the heart of the side.
However, out of possession, the Englishman was just as impressive, as he made two interceptions and won 100% of the aerial duels he entered against Oliver Glasner’s men.
To top off his excellent display, Rice was handed a superb 8/10 match rating by The Express’ Tom Parsons – topping off what was a phenomenal afternoon at the Emirates.
After such a showing, there’s little debate that the Englishman is once again becoming one of the club’s first names on the teamsheet in the hunt for a Premier League title.
If he can continue to perform alongside Gabriel and Eze, there’s no reason why Arteta’s men can’t go all the way and end the generational wait for a top-division title.
Fewer touches than Raya: Arteta must drop 5/10 Arsenal dud after Palace
Arsenal strengthened their grip on top spot after an impressive 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Tottenham striker Richarlison faces an uncertain future in N17, with his contract expiring in under two years as he struggles to deliver a consistent return.
The Brazil international, who will have one eye on a spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, got off to a flyer at the start of this campaign.
His early goal of the season contender, a bicycle kick against Premier League newcomers Burnley on the opening day, was seen as a hopeful sign of things to come, with Richarlison bagging two against Scott Parker’s side that day.
However, since then, his contributions have been few and far between despite the 28-year-old’s best efforts.
Thomas Frank started Richarlison for the first time in four domestic games against Newcastle on Wednesday evening, with the striker failing to get on the end of a whizzed ball across the box in the first half.
He also had a decent attempt at the near post saved by Aaron Ramsdale in the second period, but it was another tough evening for Richarlison, who couldn’t quite get on the scoresheet.
Once Dominic Solanke returns to full fitness and removes himself from Spurs’ rather long injury list, the jury is out on whether Frank will continue to select Richarlison on a regular basis.
Tottenham absentee list
Problem
Estimated return date
Dejan Kulusevski
Knee
22/11/2025
James Maddison
ACL
01/06/2026
Radu Dragusin
Knee
22/11/2025
Ben Davies
Thigh
23/11/2025
Kota Takai
Ankle/Foot
08/11/2025
Yves Bissouma
Ankle/Foot
08/11/2025
Wilson Odobert
Abdominal
01/11/2025
Cristian Romero
Groin
01/11/2025
Destiny Udogie
Knee
08/11/2025
Dominic Solanke
Ankle
08/11/2025
Archie Gray
Calf/Shin/Heel
06/11/2025
via Premier Injuries
Tottenham are also believed to be weighing up a new striker ahead of January, with the likes of Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli) and Dušan Vlahović (Juventus) reportedly attracting their interest.
This could spell more trouble for Richarlison, so a winter exit could be on the cards amid serious interest from Everton.
Tottenham stance on selling Richarlison as exit hinges on key factor
According to TEAMtalk, the striker is very keen to return to Everton and “would jump at the chance” to re-join his former club.
However, Tottenham’s willingness to let Richarlison leave in the January transfer window depends heavily on securing a replacement striker. The key sticking point for Spurs is finding the right forward to fill the void left by his departure.
After a mixed spell at Tottenham, Richarlison sees Everton as the ideal destination to reignite his career.
The Toffees remain an attractive option for the South American, where he previously enjoyed success and a strong rapport with the club and fans. A return would give him the platform to regain form and confidence in familiar surroundings.
However, despite Richarlison’s own desire to move, Frank’s side are not prepared to let him go without first addressing their own striking options.
The club is keenly aware that selling him without bringing in a suitable replacement could weaken their frontline and disrupt their season’s momentum, with Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange determined to not leave Tottenham’s manager short.
Described by TT as a player who “always gives 100 per cent”, his return simply just hasn’t been up to the standard since arriving from Everton over three years ago for £60 million.
Despite a brief purple patch under Ange Postecoglou midway through the Australian’s debut season at Tottenham, that is as good as it’s got for Richarlison scoring-wise, so perhaps a move back to Goodison Park will suit all parties.
By the time January comes around, Richarlison will have just under a year and a half left on his contract, so it will be interesting to see just how much Paratici and Lange could demand for the forward’s signature.
Alongside the likes of Toney and Vlahovic, Spurs are believed to be weighing up other blockbuster number nines.
Tottenham hold discussions to sign "elite" £87m striker who Paratici loves
Jesse Lingard is set to be available as a free agent with the former Manchester United forward quitting FC Seoul. Lingard, now 32, confirmed that Wednesday’s AFC Champions League meeting with Melbourne City will mark his final appearance for the club he joined in February 2024, a move dubbed the biggest in K League history.
Lingard prepares for final outing with Seoul
Lingard's departure concludes a tenure that brought no trophies but did lift FC Seoul back into competitive relevance. During his debut season, he played a pivotal role in steering the capital side to fourth place in the K League, their best finish since 2019, while the most recent campaign ended with the team in sixth. Across 66 matches, Lingard recorded 18 goals and 10 assists, figures that underline his steady influence after a turbulent chapter in his career.
Lingard enjoyed a surge of individual recognition this year, most notably during a blistering run in July. Over four league matches, he scored twice, took home two Man of the Match honours and earned a Player of the Week award. That form ultimately earned him the division’s Player of the Month trophy, his first major individual accolade in South Korea.
His improved performances also translated to continental competition. In a crucial AFC Champions League Elite clash away to Chinese champions Shanghai Port, Lingard orchestrated a 3-1 victory almost single-handedly. He broke the deadlock with a clinical finish shortly after half-time and, even after Mateus Vital pulled the hosts level, the midfielder responded by supplying a pinpoint cross for Lucas Silva to restore Seoul’s lead. He wrapped up the night with another crisp strike, sealing three points that strengthened Seoul’s position in the eastern standings.
AdvertisementLingard's message of gratitude
Lingard confirmed his exit through a heartfelt message on social media, reflecting warmly on a journey that revived his spirit as a footballer. In his statement, he revealed that talks with the club had led to a mutual decision to part ways after the 2025 season, acknowledging that walking away was far from easy.
He wrote: "After positive discussions with FC Seoul, we have mutually agreed that I will be leaving the club at the end of the 2025 season, with my final game on December 10th. This wasn’t an easy decision. My time in South Korea has been unbelievable — the football, the atmosphere, and the passion around this club have been top-class. The love, support and the appreciation you have shown towards me for these last 2 years has been truly amazing. Playing football here has been an unforgettable experience and one I will always value. I want to thank FC Seoul, my teammates, the staff, and everyone associated at the club for trusting me and welcoming me from day one. I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to play for such a massive club."
A career of highs, lows and reinvention
Lingard’s decision to leave Seoul marks the latest twist in a career defined by early promise and abrupt setbacks. He left Manchester United in 2022 after 22 years at Old Trafford, during which he played 232 times and scored some of the club’s most memorable goals of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. His trophy cabinet includes the FA Cup, Europa League and League Cup.
But after leaving United, Lingard’s fortunes nosedived. A short stint at Nottingham Forest after a brief revival at West Ham produced just 20 appearances before he departed at the end of his one-year deal. Eight months passed with no club willing to take him on, forcing him into the unfamiliar position of a free agent fighting for relevance. And then he decided to join FC Seoul in the far East. It was a bold step into a new culture and a new league at a time when he desperately needed a fresh start. Yet the early weeks were harsh. Lingard was visibly short of fitness and was subsequently sidelined by a meniscus injury. However, with time, he turned around his fortunes and was even handed the armband on a few occasions.
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Getty ImagesWhat comes next?
As he prepares for his final bow on Wednesday night, Lingard once again stands at a career crossroads. The free-agent market beckons, and while the next step remains uncertain, his two-year stint in Seoul has re-established him as a player capable of influencing matches. Teams across the English football pyramid that are looking to strengthen in the January window suddenly find a Premier League veteran in the market. He should have offers, if not from the top-flight, but more likely from the lower divisions.
Fans in attendance were greeted by a notably jovial Kohli and Rohit, both happy to sign autographs and take selfies
Tristan Lavalette16-Oct-20252:16
What to expect from Rohit, Kohli in this phase of their careers?
With Optus Stadium – a favourite site of his – providing a magnificent backdrop, Virat Kohli looked sharp in the Perth nets in his return to the India team after a lengthy break since the Champions Trophy.There was intrigue over who would take part in India’s optional training session on the first day of their limited-overs tour of Australia. Much to the delight of the sprinkling of fans outside the ground, Kohli and Rohit Sharma – the latter set to play without the captain’s armband and under Shubman Gill’s leadership – decided to dust off the cobwebs to mark their return to the national setup ahead of the first ODI against Australia on Sunday.Quicks Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh also took part, while KL Rahul was the only member of India’s Test team against West Indies to train. While most of the squad arrived in Perth in the early hours of Thursday, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj and the coaching staff were on a later flight.Related
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As always, all eyes were on Kohli who has not played since the IPL and is almost surely starting his final Australian tour. Kohli looked locked in as he went through catching drills with great intensity during India’s 20-minute session on the turf where just under a year ago he scored his final Test century.Kohli then spent 40 minutes in the nets and mostly faced back of a length bowling from Rana, Arshdeep and several local bowlers. There were a few uncomfortable moments, but Kohli looked generally at ease as he prepared for a likely lively surface in an ODI game set to be played amid damp conditions – a notable change from the sunshine that has greeted India in Perth.Kohli’s fluency impressed as he aimed to get himself inside the ball’s line with Rana, in particular, bowling with zip. Next to Kohli in the nets was his long-time teammate Rohit, who also has not played since the IPL and looked rusty to begin with. While the lovely sound of ball hitting the middle of Kohli’s bat reverberated, Rohit struggled with his timing and his footwork was sluggish. Like Kohli, he has not represented India since the Champions Trophy and is also only playing ODI cricket internationally.Virat Kohli’s final Test ton also came in Perth•Getty ImagesStaying in the nets a little longer than Kohli, Rohit started to grow in confidence as he thumped several blows into the netting. While Kohli and Rohit were getting in work, Rahul’s time in the nets was brief before trudging off alongside a few support staff.In a far cry from India’s Test preparation in Perth last November, where the WACA ground’s nets were completely covered by black shade cloth, there was a much more relaxed vibe to this training session.While fans were unable to watch their heroes last year – apart from a hardy few who climbed trees – those who attended this time around were greeted by a notably jovial Kohli and Rohit, who were both happy to sign autographs and take selfies.Kohli’s presence has notably heightened the build-up for this three-match ODI series, no doubt helping lift ticket sales with more than 50,000 fans expected at Optus Stadium.It kick-starts a massive Australian summer, with the Ashes starting in Perth on November 21. Apart from the peak summer period of December and January, it’s usually hard for cricket in Perth to compete with the obsessively followed Australian Football League (AFL) which continually eats into cricket season.But at least for this summer, there is a real sense of anticipation with India and, especially, England touring. However, there wasn’t much fanfare earlier in the day during Australia’s optional training session at Optus Stadium.Most of the squad took part, with quick Mitchell Starc a standout in the nets with his speed as he hustled the batters. It was generally a laid back atmosphere before the intensity of the big summer really kicks-in, with plenty of banter over golf evident between the Australian players.Former Test quick Jhye Richardson was an encouraging sight in the nets as he makes his way back following shoulder surgery earlier in the year. A return to the field is still a little way off for Richardson, who has endured a wretched injury run, but he looked in good physical condition although did not appear to bowl at top speed.India and Australia will have their main training sessions on Friday.
Aston Villa's Europa League clash with Young Boys was disrupted by ugly scenes on Thursday night at Villa Park. Donyell Malen was hit on the head by an object thrown from the crowd after scoring his side's opening goal of the match, while the game had to be halted for several minutes just before half-time after violence broke out in the stands among the away supporters.
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Ugly scenes at Villa Park
Malen headed Aston Villa into the lead on 27 minutes but was pelted with missiles from the crowd as he celebrated his goal. One of objects hit Malen on the head and appeared to have caused a cut. The Dutch star bagged another goal just before half-time which brought more ugly scenes and caused the game to be stopped for several minutes as trouble broke out in the away end. Television footage showed seats being ripped up and fans clashing with police. Young Boys captain Loris Benito was seen running over to the stands to plead with fans to behave, with the game eventually restarting after a five-minute delay.
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Malen in great form for Villa
Malen's goals continue his fine form for Aston Villa. He now has six goals so far this season for Unai Emery's side, three of those have come in the Europa League and the other three in the Premier League. Emery had hailed Malen before the game, telling reporters: "Everything he's achieving now you can see it before in the training session. He is helping the team in the structure we have, tactically to do our tasks. He is very important for us."
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Aston Villa enjoying Europa League life
Aston Villa have certainly been enjoying life in the Europa League this season. Emery's side came into Thursday's game having won three of their four matches in the tournament so far. After taking on Young Boys, Villa wrap up their group phase with fixtures against Basel, Fenerbahce and RB Salzburg.
Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has been a breath of fresh air since the club decided to bring him in as the long-term successor to Russell Martin at Ibrox.
The German manager, who left Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, has won all three of his Scottish Premiership matches in charge of the Light Blues, after they had won one of the eight games in the division prior to his arrival.
Rangers ran out 3-0 winners against Dundee at Dens Park in the Premiership on Sunday in their last match before the international break, and two players scored their first league goals for the club.
Mikey Moore, who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, opened the scoring with a clinical finish into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box, before Djeidi Gassama scored a brilliant goal from distance in the second half.
It will be frustrating for the club that it has taken until the 11th game of the campaign for their first-choice wing pairing to score their first league goals of the season.
Moore and Gassama both need to add more consistency to their play in the final third so that they can begin to make up for the productivity that they lost when Vaclav Cerny left in the summer.
What Vaclav Cerny is up to since leaving Rangers
The Czechia international spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan with the Scottish giants from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, and caught the eye with his impressive performances on the right flank.
During his time with the Light Blues, the left-footed attacker contributed with 18 goals and nine assists in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he offered a consistent threat in the final third.
12 of those goals and four of those assists came in the Premiership, per Transfermarkt, and this means that Moore and Gassama both have a long way to go if they want to match his goal output this season.
After his loan spell came to an end, Rangers were either unwilling or unable to sign him permanently, and the 28-year-old forward signed for Turkish giants Besiktas for a fee of around £6m.
Since his permanent move to Turkey, the former Light Blues star, who had so much success as a loanee at Ibrox, has showcased his attacking quality in the Super Lig.
25/26 Super Lig
Vaclav Cerny
Appearances
8
xG
1.69
Goals
1
Key passes per game
1.6
Big chances created
3
Assists
4
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Cerny has been involved in five goals in eight games for Besiktas in the league so far, with an assist every other appearance on average.
These statistics suggest that the Light Blues messed up by not bringing him back to Ibrox on a permanent deal in the summer, as he is shining in Turkey, whilst the club’s current wide options have had slow starts to the 2025/26 campaign.
Gassama and Moore will need to step up their performances and provide more, in terms of goals and assists, in the coming months to prove that the Gers were right not to sign the Czechia international.
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Whilst Gassama and Moore are trying to emulate Cerny’s success in the final third, there is another Rangers star who is quickly becoming this season’s version of the ex-Wolfsburg man, and he is not a winger.
The Rangers star who is becoming Ibrox's new Vaclav Cerny
The Light Blues swooped to sign Derek Cornelius on loan from Marseille during the summer transfer window, and he has been an excellent addition to the squad so far.
Like Cerny, the left-footed star is an Ibrox loanee who is shining in Scottish football. He has been particularly impressive since Rohl came through the door to replace Martin in the dugout, proving his worth at the heart of the defence.
Despite being a centre-back, Cornelius, who was branded a “monster” by international teammate Richie Laryea, has scored as many goals as Gassama and Moore in the Premiership for the Light Blues, with his one league goal.
Defensively, the Canada international has also been very impressive. Per WhoScored, he ranks first among central defenders in the squad for tackles made per game (2.1) and clearances per game (6.3), which speaks to how aggressive his defending is and how impressive his positioning is defensively.
On top of that, Cornelius has won 67% of his ground duels and 61% of his aerial duels in the Premiership so far this season, per Sofascore, which shows that he has been incredibly dominant in physical battles with opposition forwards on the deck and in the air.
Vs Dundee
Derek Cornelius
Minutes
82
Tackles won
3/3
Clearances
6
Ball recoveries
4
Ground duels won
3/3
Aerial duels won
4/4
Dribbled past
0x
Pass accuracy
93%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the left-footed centre-back was virtually faultless defensively in the 3-0 win over Dundee on Sunday in the last match before the break, as he won 100% of his duels and was not dribbled past a single time.
Cornelius has started all three of Rohl’s league games in charge, which has seen Rangers win three times and concede one goal, and he won 13 out of 20 ground duels in those matches, per Sofascore.
These statistics suggest that he is on course to become the club’s new version of Cerny because he is a loanee at Ibrox who is already an incredibly important part of the team because of his fantastic performances.
Unlike Cerny, though, Rangers confirmed that they do have an option to sign the Canadian titan on a permanent deal at the end of the season for an undisclosed fee. This means that they can snap him up permanently, without having to negotiate a new deal with Marseille, next summer.
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On current form, the Gers must surely already be thinking about exercising their option to sign him permanently next year, to avoid repeating the situation where they now look on in envy as Cerny shines elsewhere.
Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has experienced almost every emotion in his first four matches in charge of the Ibrox giants since his move to the club.
The German tactician has lost 3-0 to Brann in Europe, won back-to-back games in the Scottish Premiership, and lost a League Cup semi-final in extra time.
Rohl has been thrown in at the deep end at Ibrox after replacing Russell Martin in the dugout, as the Light Blues had only won five games in 18 matches in all competitions at the start of the season after, what now looks like, a dismal summer window.
Russell Martin's worst Rangers signing
Working with sporting director Kevin Thelwell, the worst signing of the summer transfer window, with Martin in charge, currently looks like Youssef Chermiti.
Rangers reportedly paid £8m to sign the Portugal U21 international from Everton, which made him the club’s most-expensive signing since Tore Andre Flo arrived for £12m in 2000. The second-most expensive signing of the summer was Oscar Cortes for £4.5m.
Unfortunately, the Light Blues have not been rewarded with much output for that outlay, with one goal and one assist in 11 appearances for the club, per Sofascore.
Chermiti missed two huge chances to find the back of the net against Celtic on Sunday, which caused commentator and pundit Michael Stewart to describe him as being “so poor” in front of goal.
Given the money spent and the return on their investment so far, it is hard to argue against the young striker being the worst summer signing from Thelwell and Martin.
Another summer signing who should be in contention for that award, though, is central midfielder Joe Rothwell, who currently looks like he should be sold in January.
Why Rangers should move on from Joe Rothwell
The Gers signed the Englishman from Premier League side Bournemouth for an undisclosed fee to bolster their options in the middle of the park.
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At the time of his arrival, Martin described Rothwell as a “huge asset” who would “bring a real winning mentality to the group”, which was an exciting statement from the head coach.
Unfortunately, though, that has not played out on the pitch. Instead, the experienced midfielder looks like he should be sold in January because his performances have not been good enough.
25/26 Premiership
Joe Rothwell
Appearances
8
Starts
5
Goals
0
Assists
1
Tackles per game
0.9
Dribbled past per game
0.4x
Ground duel success rate
46%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Rothwell has struggled to deal with the intensity and physicality of Scottish football, losing more than half of his ground duels and failing to make at least one tackle per game on average.
The Englishman has been an unused substitute in the last two Premiership matches, which resulted in two of the club’s three league wins this season, but did come on in extra time against Celtic.
That cameo did little to help his case to return to the team in the Premiership, though, as Heart & Hand content creator David Edgar described him as “rotten”.
Rothwell, at this moment in time, does not look suited to playing Scottish football, because of his lack of physicality and intensity, which seems unlikely to change, given that he turns 31 in January.
It has also been an issue for him on the European stage. Rothwell lost 100% of his duels and failed to win a single tackle in 64 minutes against Brann in the Europa League recently, per Sofascore.
Rohl has already opted against using him in the Premiership and waited until extra time to bring him on against Celtic, which suggests that he has not been overly impressed by his levels in training.
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Therefore, Rangers should look to immediately move on from Rothwell when the January transfer window opens for business, unless he can finally start to show why Martin was so excited to sign him in the summer.
Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke will be able to make further additions to his playing squad when the January transfer window opens for business next month.
It will be interesting to see what kind of players the German boss wants to add to the group, though, because he has changed the formation from a 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2 in the last two matches, resulting in a 3-1 win over Chelsea and a 3-3 draw with Liverpool.
Because of how successful the new system has been, Farke may want to alter the club’s plans for the window to sign players who fit the 3-5-2, rather than a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.
Leeds make approach for Premiership star
What this may mean, for example, is that versatile wing-back options could be pursued instead of traditional wingers, as would be needed for the previous system.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to the print edition of the Scottish Daily Mail, via MOTLeedsNews, Leeds United have made an approach to sign Hibernian star Josh Mulligan in the January transfer window.
The report claims that the Whites and fellow Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest are both interested in a deal to snap up the versatile Scottish talent ahead of the second half of the season.
It adds that Leeds have checked in on his progress in the Scottish Premiership and made contact with Hibs to see what their stance is on a January sale.
However, the report does not reveal what the answer to that approach was or how much Mulligan would cost if they wanted to submit a bid to snap him up next month.
Why Leeds should sign Josh Mulligan in January
Scotland is not one of the club’s usual markets. Per Transfermarkt, none of the current first-team squad joined Leeds from a Scottish club, and only Mark Viduka ranks within their top 50 most-expensive signings.
The Whites signed Viduka from Celtic in the summer of 2000, and he went on to score 72 goals in 166 appearances for Leeds, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he was an incredibly successful signing from north of the border.
Mulligan could follow in the Australian striker’s footsteps by becoming one of the rare players to make the move from Scotland to be a key player and star for Leeds in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old star is not a striker who is going to go and score goals at the rate that Viduka did, but he is an impressive attacking force who could shine in the newly created right wing-back role at Elland Road.
Mulligan has played as a central midfielder, as a right wing-back, as an attacking midfielder, and as a right winger, per FotMob, and he has caught the eye with his performances.
xA
2.17
Top 15%
Assists
3
Top 9%
Chances created
14
Top 19%
Cross accuracy
30%
Top 22%
Successful dribbles
16
Top 3%
Touches in the opposition’s box
40
Top 6%
As you can see in the table above, the Scottish talent has shown that he has the attributes to make an impact at the top end of the pitch, and his dribbling, chance creation, and cross accuracy stats suggest that he is well-suited to a wing-back role.
Back in August, analyst John Walker described him as the “Scottish Gareth Bale” after a stunning Bale-esque goal from distance against Livingston in the Premiership.
He’s not the only one to compare him to the great Welshman. Former teammate Simon Ferry once said: “He’s a Rolls-Royce like Gareth Bale – powerful, strong, direct. He’s a machine at that age. He wants to learn, listens to you.”
Since the start of last season, Mulligan has provided eight league assists for Dundee and Hibernian combined, per Sofascore, whilst Jayden Bogle has produced five assists for Leeds in that time in the Championship and the Premier League.
The Hibs star has scored three goals and provided three assists in all competitions in the current campaign, compared to Bogle’s one goal and one assist, and could offer more of a threat at the top end of the pitch than the Englishman.
Mulligan’s experience playing as a wing-back for Dundee and Hibernian also means that he would be a perfect fit for Farke’s new system in the 3-5-2 formation, as he is used to playing in the role, albeit in Scotland, and could slot straight into the team as a potential upgrade on Bogle.
If the Scottish whiz can adapt to the Premier League and hit the ground running as an attacking force down the flank for the Whites, he could be Viduka 2.0 as the next Premiership star to shine in the top-flight for Leeds, if they can get a deal done in January.
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