Celtic are in the process of finding their long-term successor to former head coach Brendan Rodgers, who resigned from the role last month after a 3-1 loss to Hearts.

The Northern Irish manager returned to Parkhead in the summer of 2023, replacing Ange Postecoglou in the dugout, and won the Scottish Premiership title in both of his full seasons in charge.

Celtic are now looking for a manager to come in and build on that success in the months and seasons to come, and Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy appears to be closing in on the job.

The latest on Wilfried Nancy to Celtic

According to Sky Sports, the Premiership champions have been granted permission by Columbus Crew to hold discussions with the French tactician this weekend.

The report claims that Nancy is open to making the move from the MLS to Scotland to replace Rodgers in the dugout, after the 2025 MLS came to an end for his side this month.

It adds that the Hoops want to have a new manager in place for their league clash with St Mirren next weekend, and that they will need to discuss compensation with Columbus Crew if they agree terms with Nancy.

If the French boss does take over the job in the coming days, one player who could benefit from his arrival at Parkhead is central midfielder Arne Engels.

Why Arne Engels could explode under Wilfried Nancy

Just as Matt O’Riley did when Rodgers took over from Postecoglou, Engels could explode with the change in manager from Rodgers to Nancy this season.

Chalkboard

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

The Belgian star could be O’Riley 2.0 with the potential that he has to be an exciting attacking force as one of the two number 10s behind the striker in his 3-4-2-1 system.

Appearances

38

37

Goals

3

18

Minutes per goal

843

181

Big chances created

16

14

Key passes per game

2.2

2.5

Assists

12

13

As you can see in the table above, the Denmark international, who now plays for Marseille, scored 15 more goals and provided one more assist in the league under Rodgers than he did under Postecoglou.

Engels could benefit in a similar way with this change in manager, as he has mainly played as a central midfielder in a 4-3-3 system for Rodgers, but he could play further forward under Nancy.

The Belgium international, whose set-piece delivery was hailed as “world-class” by Rodgers, produced nine goals and six assists in the Scottish Premiership last season, but has only managed one goal and one assist in ten games this term, with both of those goal contributions coming against Kilmarnock for Martin O’Neill.

Engels has created four ‘big chances’ in four appearances in the Europa League this season, being rewarded with one assist, per Sofascore, which is a testament to his technical and creative quality.

The midfield star is valued at £9m by Transfermarkt, over a year on from his £11m move from Augsburg, which suggests that the Hoops need to find a way to get more out of him, to ensure that their £11m investment does not turn out to be a poor one.

Playing further up the pitch, as a number ten, as part of Nancy’s preferred tactical set-up would put him in more positions to show off his brilliant technical ability, rather than often being too far from goal as a central midfielder or as a number six under Rodgers.

Celtic now "granted permission" to take biggest step yet in push to hire Wilfried Nancy

The Bhoys are set to make their move…

ByTom Cunningham Nov 15, 2025

Therefore, the Columbus Crew tactician could help Engels to explode and follow in O’Riley’s footsteps if Celtic hire him and he goes through with the 3-4-2-1 system used in the MLS.

Mikel Arteta has provided a window into the ongoing contract negotiations between Arsenal and star winger Bukayo Saka. The Gunners boss said he is confident the 24-year-old will "leave a legacy" at his boyhood club. Saka is under contract with Arsenal until 2027, but is expected to sign a new deal as the club looks to lock down the core of its title-challenging squad.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Arteta provides update on Saka contract

  The Spanish manager was speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal's north London derby clash with Tottenham on Sunday. 

  When asked if he was confident the winger would sign a new deal with the club, Arteta shared that Saka has expressed his desire to remain with Arsenal going forward. He described the relationship between the England international, his representatives and the club's hierarchy as "very healthy and powerful". 

  Saka signed his current deal in May 2023. The four year deal is set to expire at the end of the 2026/27 season, prompting the likely re-opening of talks over the past few months. 

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• Arteta: Saka wants to "leave legacy" at Arsenal

  Arteta was asked if he was confident in Saka's desire to stay with the club and replied: “I prefer that word, I think it is confidence.

  “What Bukayo has transmitted to me and the club, and Emeka (Obasi, Saka’s agent) as well, is that they want to continue to be here. I think it’s a very healthy and powerful relationship.

  “The journey that he has had at the club and what he has become is something we want to maintain. I think that is something that is going to leave a legacy at this football club and he needs to fulfill that role.

  "What I’m very aware of is that he wants to continue with us, that he’s very happy and that he’s in the place that he wants to continue to be and achieve everything that we want to achieve together.

  “When that (a new contract) happens and how it happens, I leave that to Andrea [Berta] and the club to figure it out.”

• Arsenal lock down title-challenging squad

  The north London club have systematically looked to secure the futures of a number of their best performers over the past few months. Saka's fellow academy graduates Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri penned new deals in the summer, locking them down until 2030. 

  Real Madrid's reported interest in William Saliba was staved off with a new deal; the Frenchman is under contract until 2030 too. His defensive partner Gabriel — who was recently ruled out for a month after sustaining an injury on Brazil duty — extended his deal with the club until 2029. 

  Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard and David Raya also improved the terms of their respective agreements with the Gunners. 

  Speaking on the club's proactive approach to managing their players' futures, Arteta said: “It’s been a very clear vision and route on how we want to do things.

  “Ownership has been incredibly supportive and determined to make sure that we can continue the journey with these players and maintain the core of the team. That is the efficiency of everybody that works upstairs, starting with Andrea (Berta) and all the team to get things done because at the end there are always three parties and it’s never an easy thing to get done.”

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Saka's growing Arsenal legacy depends on lifting trophies

  There is scant evidence to suggest that Saka views his future outside of north London. Since breaking through into the first team as a left back in the 2018/19 season, the Gunners' 'Star Boy' has developed into one of world football's most consistent right wingers. He has made 277 appearances for the club, scoring 76 goals in all competitions. That form has seen him bloom into a trusted player at international level. Saka has won 48 caps, scoring 14 times for England. 

  For the 24-year-old to leave a true legacy at such a massive club will depend on his ability to drive Arsenal on to more silverware. Saka has lifted just one majour honour in his career, the 2019/20 FA Cup, which the Gunners won during Arteta's first season with the club. Three straight second place finishes in the Premier League will have only further fuelled his ambition to win more. Arsenal's push for their first league title in more than 20 years continues with that north London derby on Sunday. 

Arsenal may have dropped points away to Sunderland on the weekend, but there is a lot for fans to be happy about.

Firstly, Mikel Arteta’s side remain clear at the top of the Premier League table, and just as importantly, the team looked genuinely dangerous in the second half.

They might have been defensively suspect, but the Gunners looked excellent going forward, and Leandro Trossard continued his fine form with a sensational long-range effort.

However, while the Belgian is playing out of his skin at the moment, recent reports suggest his game time could be dramatically reduced by another international who’s been compared to the legendary Thierry Henry.

Arsenal target monster winger

While Arsenal are flying, there are still some weaker areas of the squad, and the left wing is undoubtedly one of them.

Transfer Focus

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

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Granted, Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have improved this season, and Eberechi Eze can fill in there.

Yet, compared to the options of Bukayo Saka or Noni Madueke on the right, and then the three players who can start up top when fit, it’s clear the left-hand side could do with a genuine superstar option.

This appears to be an opinion shared by the club, as recent reports from Spain indicate that they are interested in Rafael Leão.

The report claims that Arsenal are set to make a serious move in the winter window for attacking reinforcement and are prepared to make an offer of around €80m for the AC Milan star, which is about £71m.

The North Londoners reportedly view the Portuguese international as a perfect fit, and Arteta is said to be a big fan, although with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, and several French teams also said to be interested, this won’t be an easy transfer to get over the line.

With that said, given Leão’s ability and the fact he’s been compared to Henry, this is a deal worth going all out for, even if it could spell the end of Trossard’s Arsenal career.

How Leão compares to Trossard

Given Arsenal’s need to add more goals to their frontline, the first thing to look at when comparing Leao and Trossard should be their output from last season.

Unfortunately for the Belgian, this is where he comes out second best.

For example, in 56 appearances, totalling 3455 minutes, he scored two goals and provided ten assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.8 games, or every 172.75 minutes.

In contrast, the Milan star racked up a tally of 12 goals and 13 assists in 50 appearances, totalling 3499 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every other game, or every 139.96 minutes.

It’s a little closer this year, but once again, it’s the Portuguese dynamo who comes out on top.

In eight appearances, totalling 470 minutes, he’s produced six goal involvements, which is an average of one every 1.33 games, or every 78.33 minutes.

Leao vs Trossard

24/25

Leao

Trossard

Appearances

50

56

Minutes

3499′

3455′

Goals

12

10

Assists

13

10

25/26

Leao

Trossard

Appearances

8

14

Minutes

470′

832′

Goals

5

4

Assists

1

4

All Stats via Transfermarkt

In contrast, the former Brighton & Hove Albion star has produced eight goal involvements in 14 appearances, totalling 832 minutes, which is an average of one every 1.75 games, or every 104 minutes.

However, while their output is ultimately what matters most, especially for a team gunning for the title, there is also the matter of how they play the game and how fun they are to watch.

Unfortunately for the 30-year-old, this is another area in which he is bested, as while his technical trickery can be a joy to behold, he’s nowhere near as powerful or dynamic as the former LOSC Lille star.

Moreover, the 26-year-old’s ability to pick up the ball in his own half, take on opposition defenders and then slide the ball into the far corner is why former Milan coach Stefano Pioli said, “Leao reminds me a lot of the early Thierry Henry.”

Just imagine a player capable of doing that once again donning the club’s red and white and helping them end their two-decade title drought.

Ultimately, Trossard is an excellent player and is in good form, but if Arsenal can sign Leao in the winter, they should do so.

Related After Dowman: Hale End has given Arsenal a future star who's "like Vieira"

The incredible prospect could be another Max Dowman-style star for Arsenal.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 12, 2025

England booked their place in the last 16 of the Under 17 World Cup courtesy of a commanding 2-0 victory over South Korea in Qatar. Reigan Heskey, son of former Liverpool striker Emile, was on the scoresheet with a superb header and an own goal eased the Young Lions into the next round in what was ultimately a comfortable win for Liam Bradley's side.

Three Lions cruise into last-16 as South Korea fade in Qatar

There was a real scare for England inside the opening minute after Manchester City's Dante Headley was bundled off the ball by Kim Ji-sung who thrashed his shot into the roof off the net, but there was huge relief when referee Abdou Abdel Mefire awarded a foul for the push. The Young Lions enjoyed much of the possession in the early stages, but had to wait until the 21st minute to test South Korea keeper Park Do-Hun as Tottenham's Luca Williams-Barnett saw his fierce drive from the edge of the box well saved. 

The deadlock was broken in the 28th minute following a bustling run down the right from the England captain Seth Ridgeon, and the Fulham star’s pass was directed into his own net by Jung Hui-seop. And England doubled their lead six minutes later after City’s Heskey headed home from close range after a brilliant searching cross from Aston Villa youngster Bradley Burrowes. 

England had chances to extend their lead in the second-half, with Chelsea's Chizaram Ezenwata missing the target from just inside the box and Williams-Barnett saw an audacious effort, from just inside his own half, slide agonisingly wide. The Young Lions will now face either Austria or Tunisia in the next round. 

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Williams-Barnett may not have got on the scoresheet, but he was right at the heart of everything England did well. He covered acres of ground, helping in defence when required and offered some excellent touches around the opposition box, too. If anyone deserved to score from their own half it was the Tottenham youngster who's enjoying the opportunities offered to him in his breakthrough season. The Luton-born midfielder made his senior debut in September 2025, becoming the club's youngest player in the Carabao Cup and the 900th player to appear for the club. He signed his first professional contract last month, too. 

The big loser

It was a truly calamitous moment for South Korea centre-back Jung who made an absolute mess of trying to block a pass. He only succeeded in getting his feet in a tangle while attempting to clear the danger, stumbled, fell and directed the ball into the back of his own net to give England the lead. You could almost feel sorry for him, it was a shame for a mistake of that magnitude to happen to a young player on such a big stage.

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Getty ImagesMatch rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐

When there is no shortage of venues to choose from, why pick one where the air quality reaches dangerous levels at precisely that time of year?

Sidharth Monga03-Apr-2025When India and South Africa play their second Test there later this year, Guwahati will become the 17th venue to have hosted a Test in India in the last 10 years. It means India has 16 active Test venues that all have excellent facilities except for Green Park in Kanpur, which, last year, struggled to get cricket going even after rain stopped. It won’t happen, but even if we assume Kanpur is blacklisted, the BCCI had 15 options for the first Test of that South Africa series, starting November 14.It takes special apathy and lack of duty of care to still go ahead and schedule this Test in Delhi, where the poor air quality becomes a health emergency in November. On the Air Quality Index (AQI), a reading of over 300 is considered “very poor” and over 400 “severe”. India’s official AQI meters are not designed to measure air that gets so bad that it reaches four digits. On November 18 last year, the AQI officially reached 999. IQAir, a Swiss company that measures air quality, measured Delhi’s AQI on that day at 1600, according to the . It resulted in lockdown-like conditions. People were advised to leave home only in emergency. Schools were shut and outdoor activity barred even when they reopened.The situation in recent years has been so bad that 500 is considered a good day in November when the unholy combination of industrial pollution, vehicular fumes, construction activity, post-Diwali firecracker fumes and the burning of post-harvest stubble in neighbouring states is at play. Delhi’s landlocked geography and unfavourable wind directions make it the perfect storm.Related

• India's Tests against West Indies and South Africa swapped between Delhi and Kolkata

• BCCI contracts: Shreyas and Kishan back, Pant gets upgrade

• BCCI defends decision to hold India-SA Test in Delhi in November

• India to host West Indies and South Africa; Guwahati gets its first Test match

• Does the cricket audience matter? Only if they're at home, watching on TV

It is pertinent to avoid athletic activity in that air because the major air pollutant is PM 2.5, particulate matter that is less than 2.5mm in diameter. When we strain during athletic activity, our breathing gets deeper and more rapid, thus eliminating any chance of avoiding inhaling PM 2.5. The Central Pollution Control Board warned in 2017, when the AQI didn’t reach four figures, that running a marathon in those conditions could deposit two tablespoonfuls of toxic ash in your lungs. A Test match is no marathon but it is still elite high-performance athletic activity.To be fair, no Indian should need a refresher on this health emergency because it happens every year. The BCCI shouldn’t need reminding either. Here is a quick timeline of how cricket has been affected in Delhi in the last 10 years.In the first week of November 2016, two Ranji Trophy matches were called off as players “could not even stand outside”.In 2017, Sri Lanka players put on masks to deal with the pollution in Delhi•BCCIIn 2017, Sri Lanka took the field wearing masks in a Test match interrupted by air pollution. The players kept going off the field and vomiting. There were oxygen cylinders in the dressing room. Mohammed Shami and Suranga Lakmal vomited on the field.The ODI between India and Australia in March 2019 went off well, but later that year, on November 3, two Bangladesh players vomited on the field. The then BCCI president Sourav Ganguly tweeted to thank the two teams for playing the game “under tuff [sic] conditions”. ESPNcricinfo understands Ganguly, who had been elected BCCI president only a month earlier, privately expressed displeasure at the scheduling when he read this on November 1.The 2023 ODI World Cup featured four Delhi matches in October, which went off fine, but the one match in November nearly didn’t happen. This being an ICC event, there was at least a chance of the match being called off. Bangladesh skipped practice.And yet, here we are. Of all the gin joints in the world. Three weeks after Diwali. Another Test match that will expose not just the players but also spectators, who are otherwise warned to not leave home unless in an emergency, to life-shortening air pollution.The last time Delhi got a match in November, sources in the BCCI said off the record that matches are allotted to state associations on rotational basis, and that the BCCI can’t cross members who constitute the body in the first place. That doesn’t even begin to explain how Ahmedabad, which hosted England in February 2025, will get two more matches later in the same year.If this Test in Delhi does go ahead, India will have hosted only 14 internationals (two in Ahmedabad) between two matches in Delhi. Even if you restrict it to just Tests, there will have only been 14 India home Tests since the last one in Delhi. By comparison, Eden Gardens last got a Test in November 2019, which is 23 Tests ago. Ahmedabad will have hosted four Tests between the last Eden Gardens Test and the one it is scheduled to host in October against West Indies.These, though, are internal BCCI machinations that a private body should be free to partake in. Even the dismal treatment of fans in India can be seen as the BCCI enjoying the favourable end of the demand-supply stick. The wellbeing of players and spectators, though, is another matter. Cricket South Africa (CSA) will not protest, or cannot protest. There is no player union in India. The South African union can only make an indirect, unthreatening request. “Player well-being must always be the primary concern,” it told ESPNcricinfo. “All stakeholders need to recognise this and act accordingly.”The only entity that can act on this is the BCCI. There are still eight months to go. There is still time to do the right thing and move this Test elsewhere.

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O Santos vive um dilema para a final do Paulistão. O clube foi mandante na vitória diante do Bragantino, e a partida aconteceu na Neo Química Arena, do Corinthians. Não na Vila Belmiro. Para a decisão do domingo (31), apesar da questão sobre o estádio, a prioridade é voltar a jogar na capital paulista.

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➡️ Ambos marcam! Coloque R$100 no Lance! Betting e fature R$220 em Palmeiras x Novoritonzino

➡️ Tudo sobre o Peixe agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Santos

Com uma renda de mais de R$ 3 milhões e quase 45 mil pessoas no estádio, o jogo na casa do rival pode ser considerado um sucesso. Existe chance do retorno à Itaquera, mas a ideia de jogar no MorumBis também agrada. No entanto, o São Paulo chegou a vetar o aluguel do estádio para rivais, na primeira fase do Estadual.

O presidente Marcelo Teixeira abordou o tema na saída da Neo Química Arena e reiterou a preferência.

– Vamos aguardar a definição de quem será o finalista. Teremos a reunião na sexta na Federação Paulista, me parece que o Novorizontino faz questão de jogar na sua casa, o Palmeiras idem. Temos que aguardar o outro finalista para resolvermos essa situação. O Santos, se puder fazer essa decisão antecipada, vamos fazer desde já e vamos jogar em São Paulo – contou.

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O lateral Felipe Jonatan confirmou a intenção. Ele revelou que os jogadores ouviram sobre a preferência da diretoria para atuar em São Paulo, independentemente do adversário da final.

– Essa definição fica mais para a diretoria. Já escutamos algumas coisas que querem mandar o jogo em São Paulo independentemente do adversário. Vamos deixar isso com a diretoria. Mostramos que o Santos, onde jogar, temos que nos doar. Pegamos uma equipe de Série A, o Bragantino, formada e entrosada há muito tempo. Independentemente do local, aqui, no Morumbis, na Vila Belmiro, temos que entrar para ganhar porque é uma final – afirmou, em entrevista à Cazé TV.

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➡️ Santos tem renda milionária e quebra recorde de público na Neo Química Arena

O técnico Fábio Carille, diferentemente de Felipe Jonatan, preferiu despistar sobre a casa do Peixe no Estadual.

– Não foi falado sobre isso ainda, não deu tempo de discutir isso ainda. Não só eu como os jogadores, em conjunto com a diretoria, vamos honrar essa camisa o máximo possível para que possamos, em conjunto, decidir o que é melhor – disse o profissional, em entrevista coletiva.

Classificado à final do Paulistão após bater o Massa Bruta por 3 a 1, o Santos aguarda o vencedor entre Palmeiras e Novorizontino para conhecer seu adversário da final do estadual. A partida entre os outros semifinalistas acontece nesta quinta-feira (28), no Allianz Parque.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks have decided to dive headfirst into selling at the 2025 MLB trade deadline. After dealing Josh Naylor and Randal Grichuk, Eugenio Suarez and their top pitchers are likely next. That means Zac Gallen could have a new home for the first time in his career.

Gallen was named first-team All-MLB and finished third in National League Cy Young voting in 2023. While he has struggled this season, the 29-year-old has a strong track record of success and will be hitting free agency after the season. He's talented, and has a reason to go all-in for the rest of the year.

In 22 starts this season, Gallen is 7-12 with a 5.60 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP, with 121 strikeouts against 47 walks in 127 innings. Compared to his career norms, Gallen's Statcast page for 2025 looks depressing. A change of scenery could likely do him good.

What follows is a look at four teams the could be a great fit for the veteran righty before the trade deadline.

New York Yankees

The Yankees landed the third baseman they needed by acquiring Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, but if they're truly all-in this season, they'll need to find more pitching. They're sure to look for relievers over the next few days before the trade deadline, but they also need to find another starting pitcher.

Max Fried and Carlos Rodon have the top of the rotation locked down, but Clarke Schmidt was lost for the season thanks to Tommy John surgery, and Gerrit Cole is missing all of 2025 for the same reason. Luis Gil is on his way back, but it's a thin rotation. If New York really wants to make it back to the World Series and finish the year with a title, adding Gallen could be a big step.

Houston Astros

Like the Yankees, Houston's starting rotation is thin thanks to injuries. Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown have been great, but Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti have missed time with injuries, while Ronel Blanco and Hayden Wesneski are out for the year. While Javier and Arrighetti are on their way back, the Astros could use another top-level arm.

Gallen can be that guy, with a career 3.60 ERA, making his rough stats this year a complete outlier.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have been one of MLB's best stories this season, boasting an absolutely punishing offense. That said, if the Northsiders want to make a deep run this season, they'll need to add another starting pitcher. Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd have held things down at the top of the rotation, but the team is desperately missing Justin Steele.

Cubs starters rank 14th in MLB with a 3.96 ERA, but have allowed the fourth-most home runs (91) and rank 18th in innings pitched (554 2/3), which has strained the bullpen. They need another starter who can eat innings.

Toronto Blue Jays

Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, and Chris Bassitt are a solid trio atop Toronto's rotation, but things fall off dramatically after them. The Blue Jays' starters currently rank 24th in ERA (4.39), and while Eric Lauer has been a nice story (6-2, 2.61), it's hard to believe he'll be able to keep up his pace. He has mildly outperformed his underlying metrics and gives up a lot of hard contact.

Another reliable, veteran arm would only help Toronto's push to steal the AL East away from the Yankees.

انتقد مهاجم نادي مانشستر سيتي السابق، محمد صلاح وفيرجيل فان دايك، لاعبا نادي ليفربول موضحًا أن مستوى الثنائي بات مختلفًا هذا الموسم.

ليفربول يعيش فترة صعبة للغاية خلال هذا الموسم، حيث يتعرض الريدز إلى هزائم متتالية في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز وكذلك دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وحقق ليفربول رقمًا سلبيًا بعدما هزم في 9 مناسبات من أصل آخر 12 مباراة لعبها النادي الإنجليزي في كافة المسابقات.

ويواجه آرني سلوت خطر الإقالة من منصبه كمدير فني لليفربول، وذلك وفقًا لما ورد في عدد من التقارير الصحفية والإعلامية.

وانخفض مستوى محمد صلاح بشكل مفاجئ خلال هذا الموسم، بالرغم من العروض الرائعة التي قدمها الدولي المصري خلال الموسم الماضي.

وأيد ويم كيفت، مهاجم مانشستر سيتي ومنتخب هولندا السابق، قرار إقالة سلوت من تدريب ليفربول في ظل مستوى الفريق هذا الموسم.

وقال كيفن في تصريحات لصحيفة ديلي تلجراف: “بتوقيعه مع فلوريان فيرتز وهوجو إيكيتيكي مقابل 137 مليون يورو و80 مليون يورو على التوالي، دفع ليفربول مخاطرة باهظة الثمن”.

وأضاف كيفن في حديثه: ”يتمتع لاعبا خط الوسط والمهاجم بالجودة، ومع ذلك لا يضمن هذا قدرتهما على المنافسة في كرة القدم الإنجليزية، فالنجاح في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز غالبًا ما يتطلب المزيد”.

أقرأ أيضًا .. ليفربول يراقب أحد مدربي الدوري الانجليزي لتعيينه خلفاً لـ سلوت وأوضح: “بعد مفاوضات صعبة ومطولة، كان الجميع في ليفربول سعداء بتجديد القائد فيرجيل فان دايك ومحمد صلاح لعقودهما، وهما ركيزتي نجاح الموسم الماضي، ومع ذلك فإنهما مختلفان تمامًا هذا الموسم”.

وأردف: “دفاع ليفربول بقيادة فان دايك يستقبل عددًا هائلًا من الأهداف، كذلك أداء صلاح محدود لكن، ألم ينسِ هذان اللاعبان مهاراتهما فجأة؟”.

واختتم: “بشكل عام، كان أداء ليفربول ضد نوتينجهام فورست وآيندهوفن محبطًا، لا توجد أي مؤشرات لإيقاف هذا التراجع، حتى الساحر آرني سلوت لا يستطيع قلب الأمور بين عشية وضحاها، لا يستطيع الفريق تسجيل الأهداف وما لم يخطر ببال أحد كان ممكنًا، إقالة سلوت بعد نتيجتين أو ثلاث نتائج سيئة أخرى هو أمر وارد”.

Wrexham are being advised to splash more cash in the January transfer window, despite seeing Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac oversee a record-breaking recruitment drive in the summer of 2025. Phil Parkinson has suggested that calls to spend again may be ignored, with the Red Dragons not expecting to be particularly busy in the new year.

Record spend: Wrexham invested £30m-plus in summer window

More than £30 million ($39m) was invested in fresh faces at SToK Racecourse ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. On the back of three successive promotions, another overhaul of Parkinson’s squad was required in order to have it ready for life in the second tier.

Not every deal done has been a resounding success, despite bringing plenty of Premier League pedigree to North Wales. It was, however, always going to be tricky bedding in 13 new arrivals and getting them to hit the ground running.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTransfer plans: What Wrexham have in store for January

With consistency having been an issue at times, there have been calls for Wrexham to strengthen again when another market opens for business on January 1. Parkinson, though, is now seeking stability and continuity.

Quizzed on his transfer plans, Wrexham’s manager told : “We'll monitor the injury situation, but we made a lot of changes in the summer and I feel we're only just getting a settled feel in the building. We won't be making too many changes in the January window. We want to continue to work with the players we've got. When you bring in 13 players, that's a big turnaround.”

EFL pundit tips Wrexham to splash the cash

Former EFL player turned pundit Don Goodman is among those to have advised Wrexham to ask Reynolds and Mac for more money early in 2026. He has told : “What you are seeing at the minute is loads of teams that are evenly matched and that gives a real opportunity. And it could be that Wrexham might not get a better opportunity. So, with that in mind, I think there probably will be money available in January, if necessary.

“If they go and spend money in January, I would expect it to be quality over quantity. I would expect maybe it would be a couple of players brought in that would go straight into the starting 11 and improve them rather than players brought in for the squad.

“When I look at that table, they are one of four teams, from 11th to 14th, on 21 points, which is four points off a play-off spot. I would expect them to have a real go, and spend some money in January. I don't know whether financial fair play will kick in and play a part so they'll have to really be careful and get some out before getting some in. But I would expect them to have a go.”

Parkinson is aware of what is being said by others, but that does not mean that he has to listen. He has done things his way at Wrexham since taking the reins in 2021 – enjoying a historic run of success in the process.

He added when asked again if he could look to heed Goodman’s advice and dip into the transfer market for quality over quantity: “I don't think we'll need a lot. We're always looking and, of course, you never rest on your laurels as a manager or as a group of staff, but equally, I don't want to disrupt the group too much.”

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Getty/GOALAnother promotion push? Next up for Wrexham

Reynolds and Mac have always been prepared to dig into their pockets if Parkinson feels the need to bolster his ranks. Record revenue has been generated by the Red Dragons, and that is helping to further enhance any recruitment budgets.

Wrexham are, however, in a relatively comfortable position at present. With Parkinson welcoming players back from injury and fresh faces feeling more settled in new surroundings, another promotion push cannot be ruled out. A return to Championship action after the November international break will be made when taking on Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday.

Derbyshire 698 for 6 dec (Reece 211, Madsen 198, Andersson 85, Donald 55, Dal 52*) beat Kent 271 (Ekansh 71, Dawkins 61, Morley 5-99) and 198 (Compton 65, Evison 53, Reece 5-63) by an innings and 229 runsDerbyshire routed Kent by an innings and 229 runs in their final Rothesay County Championship match of the season at Canterbury.Luis Reece, who scored 211 in Derbyshire’s only innings, took 5 for 63, while Ben Aitchison and Zak Chappell both took two wickets apiece as the visitors sealed third place in Division Two. Ben Compton was Kent’s top scorer with 65 but the home side already knew they would finish bottom, regardless of the outcome.Kent began day four on 135 for 5 in their second innings, 291 behind, and their tissue-paper thin hopes of avoiding defeat faded when they lost Harry Finch in the fourth over of the morning, lbw to Aitchison for 14.Aitchison, whose sister Holly is in the England squad for today’s Rugby World Cup final with Canada, then got the key wicket of Compton, again lbw and although Corey Flintoff hung around for 35 balls, he eventually pulled Chappell straight to Aneurin Donald at square leg and was caught for 11.Grant Stewart gave a sparse crowd some entertainment, hooking Chappell for six, but the bowler than had Matt Parkinson caught by Donald at short leg for a six-ball duck.The visitors concluded a win that had looked inevitable for the best part of three days when Michael Cohen flashed at Reece and was caught by a diving Brooke Guest, also without scoring. The wicket meant Reece became only the 51st person worldwide to score a double-century and take five wickets in a first-class match.