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Good news, Arsenal fans, the season is finally over.

The last nine months have been particularly draining for the North Londoners, as, for the third year running, Mikel Arteta’s side have had to settle for second place in the Premier League, only this time to Liverpool.

However, with the transfer window about to open, fans can forget all about that and start dreaming about the stars who could soon be making their way to the red side of North London.

With that said, the Merseysiders also seem determined to strengthen their already imposing squad in the coming weeks and months, with Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz seemingly close to joining them.

The German would be an incredible signing for the Reds, but interestingly, one of Arteta’s signings is worth millions more than him.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

Why Wirtz will be a serious problem for Arsenal

Arsenal’s one advantage over Liverpool this season has been their defence, as across the 38 games, they conceded just 34 goals to the Reds’ 41.

However, the champions’ attacking advantage was even greater, with a sensational 86 goals scored to the Gunners’ 69, and with Wirtz in the side, that difference could grow even greater.

For example, even though he’s only just turned 22, the German monster was able to score 16 goals and provide 15 assists in 45 games for Leverkusen this season, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.45 games.

In contrast, Martin Odegaard, the North Londoner’s chief creator, scored six goals and provided 12 assists in 45 games, which comes out to a far less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.5 games.

Unfortunately for the Premier League runners-up, this comparison remains in the future Liverpool star’s favour even when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

For example, while the Norwegian does come out ahead in some metrics, the Bundesliga winner comes out on top in more, such as expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, key passes, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

In short, Wirtz looks like he could become one of the very best creators in the league next season and, therefore, is likely going to be well worth the reported €100m – £84m – Liverpool has already offered for him.

Yet, there is already an Arteta signing in the Arsenal squad that is worth more than that.

The Arsenal star worth millions more than Wirtz

So, while there are a few genuine superstars in this Arsenal squad, like Williams Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, the player we are talking about is a fellow graduate from Bayer Leverkusen’s academy: Kai Havertz.

Yes, before he moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2020, the Aachen-born star was the talk of German football, and for good reason.

In his final season with Leverkusen, he managed to rack up an incredible haul of 18 goals and nine assists in 45 appearances, which came out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.66 games – not much worse than Wirtz’s average of one every 1.45 games this term.

While we know things did not work out for him following his £71m move to West London, things have dramatically improved for the German since his £65m move to the Emirates in 2023.

While he struggled in his initial midfield role and hasn’t really looked comfortable there since, he has turned into a more than useful striker for the club.

For example, in just 47 appearances up top, the “sensational” 25-year-old, as dubbed by Arteta, has scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.46 games.

This impact, combined with his age, profile and contract situation, saw the CIES Football Observatory value the number 29 at a staggering €130m earlier this year, which comes out to about £109m, or £25m more than Wirtz could cost Liverpool.

Ultimately, while some may disagree with such a valuation, Havertz has been an incredibly useful player for Arsenal over the years, and just like the soon-to-be Red star, he also enjoyed a brilliant start to his career at Leverkusen.

He's another Sterling: Arsenal in talks to sign Premier League "superstar"

The divisive international could be more trouble than he’s worth for Arsenal.

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 26, 2025

Liverpool won the title in stunning fashion just a few weeks ago, soaring far above Arsenal and Manchester City.

Since then, it’s been a tale of both woe and excitement as far as the transfer window is concerned.

The market isn’t even open yet, but it has been a hubbub of activity at Anfield with Trent Alexander-Arnold announcing his decision to leave and a swift replacement now set to arrive in the form of Jeremie Frimpong.

But, their dealings with Bayer Leverkusen may not stop there with Florian Wirtz a priority target too.

The latest on Liverpool's pursuit of Florian Wirtz

News broke earlier in the week, courtesy of The Athletic’s David Ornstein, that Liverpool are interested in signing Wirtz this summer.

Yet, there are some complications, not least that he could cost over £100m, but the fact that Bayern Munich (the current favourites) and Manchester City also want to acquire his signature over the forthcoming weeks.

It’s said that Leverkusen would rather sell abroad – understandable given their recent title rivalry with Bayern.

According to reports, Wirtz has spoken to Slot but whether he can convince the German to move to Anfield just as he did with Frimpong remains to be seen.

Liverpool's finest Wirtz alternative

As a result, the Reds may turn their attentions elsewhere. Reports have suggested that the out-of-contract Kevin De Bruyne is one option, while other claims indicate Lyon’s Rayan Cherki wants to move to the Premier League this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

Another option could be Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono who currently plays for River Plate in his homeland.

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Manchester United have already held talks over signing the 17-year-old, potentially set to trigger his £38m release clause.

Despite United’s huge interest in the player, the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool have also cast their eyes in the direction of the attacking midfielder.

How Mastantuono compares to Wirtz

It goes without saying that Wirtz would be the better addition at this current moment in time. However, for a fraction of the price, Slot could sign a very similar player who potentially has an even brighter future in the game.

In the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson, Mastantuono has a “wand of a left foot able to unlock defences and create moments of magic”. Capable of playing off the right and through the middle, it’s clear to see where the Wirtz comparisons emerge from.

The German superstar is also left-footed, someone capable of playing off the right or behind the striker. He has been nothing short of sensational this term, scoring 16 goals and supplying 15 assists in 45 outings, a goal involvement every 1.4 games.

By way of comparison, Mastantuono six goals and four assists in 17 matches in 2025, a contribution every 1.7 matches. For someone so young, that’s a fantastic return.

At the same age, Wirtz was also making strong headway in the professional game. In the 2020/21 season, the young German caught the eye by scoring five times and assisting six in 29 matches.

Mastantuono may not be doing that in Europe just yet, but the “special, special talent” in the words of Mattinson has all the tools to become a genuine elite talent.

Further hailed as a “world-class talent” by scout Jacek Kulig, the Argentine stacks up well compared to his older positional peer.

While Wirtz’s output for goals and assists is currently better, you can see the sheer level of potential that the River Plate starlet has here.

Despite his raw age, he’s already having more shots per 90 minutes and his rate of shot-creating actions are through the roof.

He will only continue to get better and once he matures and develops further, this is a goal and assist machine in the making. Let’s just say he could rival Wirtz for one of the best attacking midfielders in the game in a few years’ time.

He'd be their best CM since Fabinho: Liverpool plan bid for £60m "machine"

Arne Slot is looking to strengthen his Liverpool side in the transfer market this summer.

2

By
Angus Sinclair

May 18, 2025

Leeds United will be playing Premier League football next season and will be aiming to buck the recent trend of newly-promoted teams going straight back down.

All three of the promoted sides from the Championship have been relegated in each of the last two seasons, including Southampton, Leicester City, and Ipswich Town this term.

The Whites know that they need to recruit well for Daniel Farke to build a squad that is capable of competing in the Premier League week-in-week-out in the 2025/26 campaign.

Leeds won the Championship title with a 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle on the final day earlier this month, hitting a century of points in the process, but that achievement does not mean that they already have a squad that is ready for the top-flight.

There is, obviously, a gap in quality between the Premier League and the Championship, and Whites star Dan James is, perhaps, the best example of that, given the difference in his output in the top-flight and the second tier.

Why Dan James may not be ready to star in the Premier League

The Wales international was named the club’s 2024/25 Player of the Year recently after another impressive season from the right-sided attacker under Farke.

James racked up 12 goals and nine assists in 36 appearances in the Championship to help the Whites on their way to 100 points and the league title, which shows that he provided a consistent threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals on the right flank.

The 27-year-old speedster also caught the eye with his contributions at the top end of the pitch in the 2023/24 campaign, with a return of 13 goals, 13 ‘big chances’ created, and seven assists in 43 appearances in the second tier.

This means that James has scored 25 goals and provided 16 assists in the Championship since the start of last season, which is a fantastic haul and proves that he has been a star for Farke in the final third.

However, as you can see in the table above, the Welsh attacker’s last two seasons in the Premier League suggest that he may not be able to replicate that kind of form for the Whites next term.

James failed to provide consistent quality at the top end of the pitch for Fulham and Leeds in those two campaigns, and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be able to show a better version of himself in the top-flight this time around.

This is why the former Manchester United forward may not be a star for Leeds next season, despite his form this year, and that is why a fresh report on the club’s interest in a new winger is good news for Farke.

Leeds eyeing deal for Bundesliga forward

According to Foot Mercato, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Borussia Monchengladbach winger Franck Honorat in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that OGC Nice and Freiburg are also keen on the 28-year-old attacker, who moved to the Bundesliga from Stade Brest in the summer of 2023.

Transfer Focus

This means that there could be plenty of competition to land his services ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, as Farke lines up a raid on his former club, having managed Gladbach between 2022 and 2023.

The German boss moved on from the club before Honorat arrived in the summer of 2023, though, so there will not be any advantage for Leeds from that perspective.

Foot Mercato does not reveal how much money it would take for Gladbach to consider selling the experienced forward, but the Whites should press ahead with a move for the star because he could be an even better option than Dan James in the Premier League next season.

Why Franck Honorat could be a better option than Dan James

As aforementioned, the current Leeds star has failed to prove that he has the quality to perform consistently in the top-flight of English football in his previous seasons at that level.

James is an undoubted talent in the Championship but his output in the Premier League in the past is a concern ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, as he may not have what it takes to fire the Whites to safety with goals and assists on a regular basis.

Honorat, however, has already proven that he can deliver impressive performances in two of Europe’s top five leagues, as shown by his form for Stade Brest in Ligue 1 and for Gladbach in the Bundesliga.

During his time in France, the 28-year-old attacker produced 25 goals and 16 assists in 103 Ligue 1 matches for Stade Brest, with at least six goals and five assists in all three of his league seasons there.

His form in Ligue 1 led to a move to Gladbach on a permanent deal in the summer of 2023, and the French star has proven himself in the Bundesliga in the last two seasons.

As you can see in the table above, the Leeds target has created a staggering 31 ‘big chances’ in 49 appearances in the Bundesliga for his current club, whilst James created eight ‘big chances’ in 58 games in his last two seasons in the Premier League.

Honorat, who was described as “fast” by Gladbach sporting director Roland Virkus, has proven himself to be an exceptional creative force on the wing for both Gladbach and Stade Brest in Europe over the past five seasons, which suggests that he has the quality to make the step over to the Premier League.

The 28-year-old star has already proven that he has the ability to deliver consistent quality in the final third in France and Germany, whilst James is yet to prove himself in any major leagues, and that is why he could be even better than the Welsh forward for Farke next season.

Time to go: 49ers must axe Leeds ace who's played even less than Schmidt

The Leeds United man who played less than Isaac Schmidt should be let go this summer.

By
Dan Emery

May 8, 2025

Honorat could improve the club’s chances of avoiding instant relegation to the Championship because his statistics suggest that he is more likely to be a difference-maker who can win vital points for Leeds with goals and assists than Dan James is.

Enzo Maresca has made it desperately obvious that he wants a new striker at Chelsea this summer, constantly targeting a new talisman after taking the reins 12 months ago.

The Italian has been working tirelessly to land a new forward, potentially having the chance to end his hunt during the upcoming transfer window – aiding their Premier League title ambitions.

Nicolas Jackson has been the Blues’ main option at the top end of the pitch in 2024/25, but has struggled with injuries as of late, massively restricting his progress in the final third.

The Senegalese international has scored 10 league goals to date, but could’ve certainly had more had he not missed six games through injury between February and April.

Despite his impressive goalscoring record, it’s evident that the boss wants another option ahead of 2025/26, leading to countless attackers being touted with a switch to Stamford Bridge in the coming months.

The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for a new striker

Victor Osimhen was a player firmly on Chelsea’s radar last summer, but the club were unable to secure a deal to land him from Napoli – subsequently joining Galatasaray on loan for the current season.

However, with such a deal coming to an end, the Blues have once again been touted with a switch for the Nigerian, with Manchester United and Nottingham Forest also in the race for his signature.

It would be a hefty sum if they were to sign the 26-year-old, potentially leading to a move for another striker target in the form of Strasbourg forward Emanuel Emegha, according to TBR.

The report claims that the Dutchman, who plies his trade for the Blues’ sister club, has been on their radar and has impressed the staff behind the scenes at the Bridge.

It also goes on to state that he would provide an added body to Maresca in the final third, potentially nailing a regular role in the side given his record of 14 goals in 28 games this season.

Why Chelsea’s latest target would be better than Delap

Another player who’s been firmly on their radar to bolster the striker department is Ipswich Town talisman Liam Delap, who appears to be a man in demand this summer.

The 22-year-old, who’s scored 12 goals in the Premier League this year, has a £30m relegation release clause in his contract – coming into effect after the Tractor Boys dropped back into the Championship.

The Blues aren’t the only side in the race for his signature, with Manchester United, Everton, Newcastle United and Liverpool also credited with an interest in recent days.

However, despite the interest in Delap ahead of the upcoming window, they may be better off pursuing a deal for Emegha, with the sister club potentially playing a key role in their pursuit.

When comparing the pair’s respective stats from the 2024/25 campaign, the Strasbourg star has managed to dominate the Ipswich forward in numerous key areas – showing why the Blues must prioritise a deal for his services.

Emegha, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored more goals to date, whilst also notching a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – showcasing his clinical nature in the final third.

He’s also managed to complete more of the passes he’s attempted, whilst coming out on top in more of the aerial battles he’s entered – handing Maresca that focal point which he’s craved since arriving at the club.

Given the fact that he currently plays for Strasbourg, a cost-effective deal could likely be agreed, offering a cheaper alternative to Delap – but one that would be a better fit for the team, as seen by the stats produced.

If the club are to keep progressing next season, a new talisman desperately needs to be their priority on any shortlist, with Emegha the man who could take responsibility and thrive at the top end of the pitch.

Imagine him & Estevao: Chelsea plot to sign £38m star in the "Palmer mould"

Chelsea are hoping to add another young star to their squad, following the capture of Estevao

By
Joe Nuttall

May 1, 2025

Rangers are reportedly likely to sell an “excellent” midfielder permanently at the end of the season, as a billionaire-owned club eye a summer move for him.

Rangers still searching for solution in the dugout

The Gers are still looking to nail their next manager ahead of next season, with Barry Ferguson in interim charge until the end of the current campaign. Former Borussia Dortmund boss Marco Rose is a name who has been mentioned as a possible option, with the 48-year-old most recently in charge of RB Leipzig until earlier this year. He is a two-time Austrian league champion, as well as winning one German Cup and German Super Cup apiece.

Steven Gerrard has been seen as a front-runner for the Rangers job this summer, assuming Ferguson isn’t retained, having guided the Gers to the Scottish Premiership title back in 2020/21. He knows the club well, which could be a bonus, and he may feel he has unfinished business there.

In terms of potential signings this summer, young Hearts striker James Wilson has been linked with a summer switch to Ibrox, with the 18-year-old a player with a bright future in the game. Now, a Rangers exit update has emerged, with one player’s time at the club possibly nearing its conclusion.

"Excellent" Rangers player likely to leave for good this summer

According to a new update from The Daily Record, Rangers midfielder Kieran Dowell is likely to leave the club once and for all this summer, with Birmingham City keen on signing him on a permanent basis. The 27-year-old is currently on loan at the League One side, who are owned by billionaire Tom Wagner, helping them cruise to the title this season, and it now looks like his stay there could be a long-term one.

This does feel like the right time for Rangers to sell the £16,000-a-week Dowell, considering he was loaned out to Birmingham because he wasn’t considered a key part of the club’s plans. The Englishman is out of contract at Ibrox at the end of next season, meaning this summer is the last chance to get a good fee for him, rather than losing him on a free transfer in 2026.

Dowell has done well at Birmingham, scoring five goals and registering four assists in League One this season, and Blues manager Chris Davies has heaped praise on him.

“You can see that from the outside but what you don’t see is what the character is like. Does he work hard? Does he take information on? Whether he is a team player. You only get to see that when you work with someone and he is all that – he works for the team, runs, covers a lot of distance, very diligent. I have given him four, five defensive jobs – everyone he has been switched on to. For me, that is excellent because these are the type of players I want in the team.”

Rangers can revive Tavernier by hiring manager who's "a level above Gerrard"

As the 49ers continue their search to find a new Rangers manager, they should hire “one of the most promising coaches in world football”.

By
Ben Gray

May 2, 2025

A move to Birmingham feels like the perfect outcome for the League One side, Rangers and Dowell himself, and it will hopefully be sorted by the time next season gets underway.

A young striker likened to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is in line to leave his club, with Tottenham Hotspur ready to pay “big money” for his services, according to a new report this week.

Ange Postecoglou praises Spurs players after Europa League triumph

Spurs were forced to showcase heroic defending on their best night of the season so far, beating Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 in Germany on Thursday night to seal their place in the Europa League semi-finals.

Tottenham: Lange personally holds talks over signing £50m player for Spurs

The technical director has a plan.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 17, 2025

Dominic Solanke’s penalty, courtesy of James Maddison heroically putting his body on the line to win it, was enough to keep Ange Postecoglou’s hopes of winning silverware during his second season in charge well and truly alive.

Spurs face Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt in the next round, and are expected to dispatch this year’s unlikely semi-final opponents, but anything is possible in tournament football and Postecoglou will be keen to ensure they’re not underestimated.

“We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. We’re in the semi-final and will play a difficult opponent in the semi, but it’s not about my belief in the team,” said the Lilywhites boss in a post-match press conference.

“What’s more important is the belief the team has had because after a season like ours, it would be very easy for the players and staff, they could have left me in a pretty vulnerable place in terms of them splintering, but I’ve never felt that (even) with all the noise around our season.

“They’ve been so united in believing in what we’re trying to achieve here and that is what gave me heart all along that if we got our own slice of luck in terms of getting some players back that I really believed this team could achieve.

“That is what keeps driving me. It isn’t so much my belief in them, it’s their belief in what we’re doing and both players and staff have been outstanding. I am the front man for it but they take responsibility for it as well and all my decisions and everything I do, but not at any stage have I felt they lost any belief in me or what we’re doing.”

Postecoglou’s future is on the line, and his position will very much play a role in Tottenham’s transfer plans for the summer.

Tottenham ready to pay "big money" for Gambian sensation Gibril Sima

As per Football Insider, the club are making some plans regardless, with Gambian sensation Gibril Sima now on Tottenham’s radar. The teenager is making a name for himself in Africa, drawing comparisons with Henry, and Spurs are willing to pay “big money” for Sima ahead of other European suitors.

That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, sharing news for Football Insider that Postecoglou’s side are very keen on the centre-forward, alongside Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan.

His club, Dutch Lions, are resigned to losing Sima amid this interest as well, so it appears he is well and truly in line for a move abroad.

Arsenal are now preparing a bid for a midfielder who has “enormous potential”, and they believe he would be a perfect fit for Mikel Arteta’s system, according to a report.

Gunners pursuing a midfielder

Arteta will undoubtedly be very pleased with Declan Rice’s performances recently, with the Englishman scoring two remarkable free-kicks to put the Gunners in a very strong position to reach the semi-final of the Champions League.

However, the manager is keen to strengthen his midfield even further this summer, with the Spaniard and new sporting director Andrea Berta looking to bring in a partner for Rice, and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi remains one of the key targets.

The north Londoners are set to trigger Zubimendi’s £51m release clause, having already reached an agreement on personal terms, but there is set to be stiff competition for the midfielder’s signature, with Real Madrid also keen.

Arsenal now among favourites to sign £39m forward after Sane blow

The Gunners are switching to a different option.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 13, 2025

The Real Sociedad maestro is not the only La Liga midfielder on the shortlist, however, with a new report from Spain revealing Arsenal are now leading the race for Valencia’s Javi Guerra, who has emerged as a key player for the Spanish side this season.

Guerra’s performances have attracted the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs, but the Gunners are currently in the driving seat, and they are now preparing to make a considerable offer for his services.

Having closely followed the maestro’s performances, the north Londoners are convinced he would be a perfect fit for Arteta’s system, but it could be tricky to get a deal over the line.

Valencia are reluctant to sanction the midfielder’s departure, given his emergence as an important player, but there is an awareness it will be difficult to keep hold of him, amid widespread interest in his signature.

"Explosive" Guerra could has "enormous potential"

The youngster has established himself as a key player for Valencia this season, making 30 appearances in La Liga, during which time he has picked up two goals and three assists, and there are signs he could get even better.

Valencia director Miguel Angel Corona clearly believes the central midfielder is a future star, saying: “We are fully aware that we have a player with enormous potential for the future and the ability to perform at a good level now.”

Freelance scout Ben Mattinson has also given an overview of the Valencia star’s abilities, while praising him for a solid display against Celta Vigo earlier this season.

Guerra could be an excellent addition for Arsenal in midfield, so it is exciting news they could soon formalise their interest by making a huge bid.

After missing out on Joao Pedro to Chelsea, Newcastle United have reportedly turned their attention towards an instant alternative who scored 27 goals last season.

To say it’s been a disappointing summer for Newcastle thus far would be a major understatement. The Magpies first missed out on Dean Huijsen, then saw their bid rejected for Anthony Elanga and have since watched on as Pedro chose Chelsea instead of a move to St James’ Park. Going three for three for transfer failures, the Magpies will be desperate to secure at least one top target in the coming months.

To that end, there will be some relief around Tyneside that James Trafford is still on his way. The Burnley shot-stopper, like Elanga and others, has been a top target for quite some time. On this occasion though, the Magpies are set to get their man.

Whilst Trafford will offer Eddie Howe an instant upgrade on Nick Pope, what he will not end is Newcastle’s search for attacking reinforcements.

Once again, they simply must go again in pursuit of fresh options. The money is there for PIF to spend this time around after PSR struggles forced Newcastle to take a step back in the past and now they must back Howe with alternative targets.

The next Gordon: Newcastle have made contact to sign "special" £40m star

Newcastle are seeking to bolster their ranks ahead of their return to Champions League football

2

By
Robbie Walls

Jun 29, 2025

Those around St James’ Park will be frustrated with how this summer has gone so far, but it’s far from over. Missing out on Pedro would even be a blessing in disguise if Newcastle now go and sign one particular forward as an excellent alternative.

Newcastle battling to sign Samu Aghehowa

According to O Jogo, as relayed by Caught Offside, Newcastle are now battling to sign Samu Aghehowa from FC Porto this summer. The former Atletico Madrid forward enjoyed a clinical debut season in Portugal and has attracted plenty of interest from the Premier League as a result. As has been the case with in-form forwards all summer, however, he will cost a hefty price.

Porto are in no mood to lose their star at a cut-price and will reportedly demand that his €100m (£85m) release clause is triggered if they are to bid farewell this summer. Having had bids around the £50-60m mark rejected for other targets already, that fee may not be a problem for Newcastle who will be getting more and more desperate to land key reinforcements.

Dubbed a player with “elite potential” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Aghehowa would turn any Pedro failure into an instant afterthought at Newcastle if he arrived this summer. With 19 league goals and 27 goals in all competitions last season, the Spain international would be worth every penny of his £85m release clause.

NEW YORK — All season, the Yankees have looked toward October. After a 3–1 loss to the Red Sox in Game 1 of the best-of-three American League Wild Card series, they might get one day there. 

After a regular season that felt more precarious than the numbers would indicate—94 wins, tied for most in the AL; 849 runs scored, most in the majors—the Yankees’ 2025 campaign now resides on the brink. For most of the year, their talent washed away opponents. On Tuesday, the flaws that always lurked beneath the surface broke through. 

Their best player can’t throw. Their bullpen can’t preserve leads. Their manager sometimes seems to move without sufficient urgency at this time of year. All three sank them Tuesday. 

Things started out well: Their major offseason acquisition, lefty Max Fried, did everything the team could possibly have hoped for, scattering four hits and three walks over 6 ⅓ scoreless innings and twice pitching out of jams. Well, almost everything: Perhaps he could have gotten another batter or two. After the game, he said he believed he had more in the tank. But manager Aaron Boone was committed to sending him out only for the lefthanded Jarren Duran in the top of the seventh with a 1–0 lead, and then handing the ball to right-handed erstwhile closer Luke Weaver for the righties, beginning with Ceddanne Rafaela. 

“Felt like we were lined up,” Boone said.

A year ago—or even six months ago—that might have been true. Weaver was unhittable last season and had a 1.05 ERA over the first two months of this one, but after he missed 17 days with a strained left hamstring, that figure was 5.31. In seven career plate appearances against Weaver, Rafaela has a 1.762 OPS. Weaver got him to an 0–2 count, usually a good spot against a hitter who had the 18th-worst walk-to-strikeout ratio in baseball this year. But Weaver could not close. Nine pitches later, he left a four-seamer well outside, and Rafaela trotted to first. 

Up next came utilityman Nick Sogard. With a 1–1 count, Weaver made approximately the pitch he wanted—a changeup on the outside corner—but Sogard lined it up the middle. Neither center fielder Trent Grisham nor right fielder Aaron Judge charged the ball, and as Sogard sprinted around first, Judge lobbed the ball to second. This sort of play has become routine for the likely AL MVP since he strained the flexor tendon in his right arm in July. He cannot throw at full strength. Last year, Judge averaged 88.1 mph on throws and maxed out at 95.9 mph. On the Sogard play, that figure was 73.2 mph. 

As he has been doing since he returned to the outfield in August after six weeks of rehab, he downplayed the injury after the game. “I’m just trying to make a play,” he said. 

In any case, Masataka Yoshida lined the next pitch into center to score Rafaela and Sogard for all the offense they would need. “That’s preparation,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Sogard’s stretch for second. “We talk about their outfielders and what we can do or what we cannot do, and [Sogard] saw it right away and took advantage of it.”

Indeed, the Red Sox have found the Yankees’ weaknesses. And New York cannot turn to history for much consolation: Since the current postseason format debuted in 2022, all 12 teams that won Game 1 of the wild card series advanced. Only two teams—the Padres in ’22 and the Brewers last year—even pushed the series to the decisive third game. Meanwhile, the Yankees were 4–9 against the Red Sox this year, including 2–5 at Yankee Stadium. After a century of dominating their little brothers from up I-95, the Yankees have not beaten the Red Sox in a playoff series since ’03, when outfielder Jasson Domínguez was eight months old. Since then, Boston has taken the ’04 AL Championship Series, the ’18 AL Division Series and the ’21 wild card game. (In fact, when New York trailed the Astros 3–0 in the ’22 ALCS, the Yankees watched highlights from the Red Sox’ comeback in the ’04 ALCS. It didn’t work: Houston won Game 4 and the series.)

No, any hope will have to come from inside. Judge, who has begun to develop a reputation as a player whose regular-season success does not carry over to October, went 2-for-4 on Tuesday. Shortstop Anthony Volpe, whose lifeless bat and listless glove made him the most hated man in New York this summer who doesn’t live in Gracie Mansion, hit a second-inning home run and fielded the ball cleanly. His teammates, too, largely avoided the boneheaded defensive plays that plagued them during last year’s run. They have Carlos Rodón, an 11-year veteran who just authored perhaps the finest season of his career, taking the mound in Game 2 against Brayan Bello, who will make his postseason debut. And they have all that talent. If they hope to make it to Oct. 2, it will have to rise to the surface, and to the occasion. 

Celtic look set to finally confirm the appointment of their permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers in the dugout at Parkhead with the arrival of Wilfried Nancy from Columbus Crew.

Rodgers tendered his resignation at the end of October, after a 3-1 loss to Hearts, and experienced manager Martin O’Neill has taken the reins as interim head coach for the past month or so.

The former Celtic boss, as shown in the graphic above, won the Scottish Premiership title in his first two seasons back at Parkhead, and it will be down to Nancy to overcome Hearts to win the division in his first season.

Journalist Graeme Bailey claims that the Hoops are set to confirm the appointment of the MLS boss before the weekend, but that means that it remains to be seen if he will be in the dugout for the weekend’s clash with Hibernian.

Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen and Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna were also said to be in the running for the role, but it is the Frenchman who is poised to replace Rodgers.

Whilst Nancy will have to deal with the players that he inherits for the first month or so of his reign in Glasgow, the incoming boss has already been linked with a move to bring one of his Columbus Crew stars to Scotland.

The Columbus Crew star Wilfried Nancy could bring to Celtic

Earlier this week, it was reported that Celtic are lining up a move to bolster their attack by swooping for one of the French head coach’s key players from the MLS side.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Nancy is reportedly set to swoop for Columbus Crew centre-forward Wessam Abou Ali to provide him with a proven and lethal number nine at Parkhead for the second half of the 2025/26 season.

The Palestine international scored three goals in five MLS games for Nancy towards the end of the 2025 campaign, per Sofascore, after a £5.7m move from Egyptian giants Al Ahly back in July.

Prior to his almost £6m move to the MLS in July, Abou Ali’s form for Al Ahly in Egypt caught the eye, as he showcased his reliability in front of goal in the Egyptian Premier League.

As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old frontman scored a staggering 28 goals in 35 appearances in those two seasons, which shows that he can find the back of the net on a regular basis.

However, it remains to be seen how much money Columbus Crew would want for the prolific striker because they paid almost £6m for him earlier this year, and he has already scored three goals in five league games.

If the MLS side demand a hefty fee that Celtic are either unable or unwilling to pay in the January transfer window, Nancy will have to look at alternative ways to bolster his attacking ranks at Parkhead.

For example, the French boss could unearth his next version of Abou Ali by helping young striker Callum Osmand fulfill his potential when he is back fit and available for selection.

Why Osmand could be Celtic's own version of Abou Ali

The Jersey-born star is currently out with a hamstring injury and a timeline has not been given on his return date, so it remains to be seen when he will be available to the incoming Hoops boss.

With Kelechi Iheanacho and Osmand both missing through injury, Ireland international Johnny Kenny is the first-choice number nine at Parkhead. The young forward has had an impressive run under interim boss O’Neill with four goals in five matches, per Sofascore.

However, it may be the former Fulham youngster who is the most likely to emerge as the star goalscorer of the Nancy era when you consider his record at first-team and academy level to date.

As you can see in the table above, Osmand has scored and created goals at a much more impressive rate than Kenny has throughout his career to date, with an exceptional haul of 49 goals in 83 matches.

Whilst the majority of those goals have been at youth level, the 20-year-old star also showcased his quality in the first-team with a poacher’s finish against Rangers in the semi-final of the League Cup at Hampden Park earlier this month.

Unfortunately, Osmand then suffered his hamstring injury off the bench against Midtjylland in the Europa League in the very next game, shortly after winning a penalty from which Reo Hatate scored.

The ex-Fulham youngster, who was also hailed as “lightning quick” by Fulham expert Jack Kelly, scored one goal and won a penalty in his first three first-team outings for the Scottish giants, which is an impressive start to senior football for the young attacker.

His exceptional goalscoring record in his career suggests that he has the potential to emerge as a real star for Celtic in the future, once he is back from injury, because he has the quality to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis.

Therefore, the summer signing could be unearthed as Nancy’s next version of Abou Ali, who has been a prolific scorer for his last two teams, as another number nine who can provide a lethal presence in front of goal, if the Hoops are unable to get a deal done for the MLS star.

£1.5m Celtic flop has been an even bigger waste of time than Balikwisha

This Celtic flop has been an even worse signing than Michel-Ange Balikwisha for the Scottish giants.

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By
Dan Emery

Nov 25, 2025