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West Ham chiefs are analysing the managerial market as they weigh up potential replacements for under-fire boss Graham Potter.

West Ham's managerial shortlist as Graham Potter faces sack

Since stepping into Julen Lopetegui’s shoes in January, Potter’s record has been abysmal.

The 50-year-old has reigned victorious in just six of his 25 total games at West Ham, recording a lowly win percentage of just 26.1 per cent in the Premier League.

9. Sam Allardyce

30.7%

10. Julen Lopetegui

30%

11. Gianfranco Zola

27.8%

12 Graham Potter

26.1%

13. Avram Grant

18.9%

via StatMuse

Of the 13 goals West Ham have conceded in the top flight so far, seven of them have come from corners, with the Hammers regressing defensively under Potter and in need of inspiration from somewhere.

Boos and jeers rang around the London Stadium during West Ham’s 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend, and supporters’ chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” were clear for all to hear after Potter’s decision to take off Mateus Fernandes in the 78th minute.

According to club insider ExWHUemployee, the tactician’s place in the dugout is under serious threat, and West Ham could take the decision to axe Potter after the Arsenal game to give any new manager the best chance of a good start at home to Brentford after the October international break.

Nuno Espírito Santo is currently in pole position to replace Potter at West Ham, should he get the sack (ExWHUemployee), with David Sullivan and Karren Brady talks held as the Portuguese considers their offer.

However, Nuno isn’t nailed on just yet.

Slaven Bilic is also a top contender for the potential West Ham job and is believed to be making backroom plans in the event he does get the nod (ExWHUemployee), with another ex-Irons star in Gary O’Neil also a favourite (Miguel Delaney).

All the aforementioned coaches are free agents and don’t require a compensation fee, but according to GiveMeSport, Sullivan could now break his usual mould and hire an in-work boss instead.

West Ham hold internal talks over Scott Parker

According to the outlet and journalist Andrew Dillon — a lifelong West Ham fan — it is believed that newly-promoted Burnley manager Scott Parker is yet another former player under consideration by the east Londoners.

Parker was a fan favourite at the Boleyn, captaining West Ham and making 129 appearances in four years before his move to Tottenham in 2011.

The 44-year-old, before joining Burnley last year, was sacked by Club Brugge after just 12 matches and spent just one full season at Bournemouth prior to his Belgian adventure.

Parker did do an excellent job at Fulham, though, where he earned serious praise from Man City boss Pep Guardiola as one of England’s new line of “innovative” young managers.

Now, GMS report that West Ham have held internal talks over appointing Parker as an alternative to the likes of Nuno and Bilic, and he could be a very interesting option.

That being said, there are some suggestions that Parker’s compensation fee to get him out of Burnley could be as high as £10 million, with former Tottenham scout Bryan King once talking him up as a Spurs option to replace Ange Postecoglou before they hired Thomas Frank.

Newcastle United’s summer of transfer activity once again underlined the scale of ambition since the PIF takeover.

Deals for Jacob Ramsay, Malick Thiaw, Aaron Ramsdale and Anthony Elanga have complemented headline-grabbing signings such as Nick Woltemade for £69m and Yoane Wissa for £55m.

Alexander Isak’s £125m move to Liverpool left a sour taste, but the overall picture was one of a club continuing to spend at the very top of the market.

That has not always been the case on Tyneside.

Before Saudi investment changed the landscape, Newcastle were known for trimming squads and selling talent to make a profit.

Promising youngsters would be moved on for financial reasons or simply slip through the cracks, only to thrive elsewhere.

This summer’s spending spree serves as a reminder of how much things have changed, but also how much has been lost.

The departure of Elliot Anderson last year remains a striking example.

Newcastle did not want to lose the academy graduate, but Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) forced their hand.

Nottingham Forest seized the opportunity, and now the Northeast club must watch a homegrown talent flourish elsewhere – much like another striker once forced to leave before truly being given a chance at St James’ Park.

Anderson's rise away from Tyneside

Anderson’s move to Forest in 2024, part of a deal that saw Odysseas Vlachodimos move the other way, was emblematic of Newcastle’s recent financial gymnastics.

The midfielder represented pure profit under PSR calculations, a valuable asset when books needed balancing.

Jankuba Minteh was sold to Brighton in the same scramble, and even the sales of Isak and Anthony Gordon were considered.

At the time, it looked like a sacrifice of potential for compliance.

Yet Anderson has proven exactly why the club were so reluctant to lose him.

Last season, the 22-year-old made 37 league appearances for Forest, scoring twice and providing six assists. His form earned him a first senior England call-up, and he started against Andorra, winning the Player of the Match award.

The numbers underline his growing influence.

Last season, Anderson ranked in the 88th percentile for assists per 90 (0.19) and 77th percentile for shot-creating actions (3.07).

His ability to progress play was matched by tenacity in midfield.

He sat in the 88th percentile for tackles per 90 (3.07) and 87th percentile for clearances (2.40).

Analysts like Max Scott have even gone so far as to describe Anderson as having “a bit of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Zinedine Zidane” in his game.

It is difficult to see how he would have found the same opportunities had he remained at Newcastle.

Competing with Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton for minutes, he might have stagnated.

Instead, Forest have given him the platform to grow, and Newcastle are left to reflect on a talent that got away, not for the first time either.

Newcastle's homegrown striker regret

Anderson’s story draws inevitable comparisons to Ivan Toney, another player who slipped through Newcastle’s net.

Signed from Northampton Town in 2015 for around half a million, Toney struggled for first-team opportunities and was farmed out on loan before leaving permanently for Peterborough United in 2018.

From there, his career trajectory exploded. Toney scored 72 goals and provided 23 assists in 141 appearances for Brentford, firing them to Premier League promotion with a goal in the 2021 play-off final.

His 20-goal return in the 2022/23 season made him one of the division’s most reliable strikers, hailed as such by Thomas Frank who described him as a “monster”.

Recognition followed on the international stage. Toney made his England debut in 2023 and was part of the Euro 2024 squad, holding his nerve to score in the penalty shoot-out against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

The numbers again tell the story of a rounded, top-level forward.

During the 2022/23 season, Toney ranked in the 72nd percentile among centre-forwards in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals (0.43 per 90), 70th percentile for progressive passes (2.41), and was outstanding aerially, sitting in the 91st percentile for aerials won (3.32 per 90).

His defensive contribution was underrated too, with strong numbers for interceptions and clearances.

Matches Played

33

Goals

20

Assists

4

Progressive Carries

14

Progressive Passes

79

In 2024, Toney completed a £40m move to Al-Ahli, where he scored 23 goals and registered four assists in the Saudi Pro League last season.

At 29, he remains a high-level striker whose career arc must leave Newcastle wondering what might have been.

The parallels between Anderson and Toney are plain to see.

Both left St James’ Park for very different reasons, but both have gone on to prove themselves at a high level.

Each departure highlights the fine margins between financial management and footballing vision.

Newcastle’s current owners are now spending freely, with marquee signings transforming the squad.

Yet history shows that some of the biggest success stories can be those who slipped away. In Anderson, Newcastle may once again have let a future England regular leave too soon.

PIF have already signed Newcastle's new Elliot Anderson and he's "terrific"

Eddie Howe will hope he has his own Elliot Anderson now at Newcastle United in this terrific talent.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 8, 2025

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor revealed an outrageous question she has been forced to answer that other clubs would "never ask" a man. Despite steering the Blues to a historic domestic treble last season, the Frenchwoman says people still question whether she can balance being a mother of four with leading one of the biggest clubs in women's football.

• Survey paints grim picture for women in football

  A damning new Women in Football report has exposed the scale of discrimination across the sport. The findings, released on Wednesday, showed that 78% of women working in football have faced discrimination, while nearly two-thirds admitted to experiencing sexist ‘banter’ or degrading jokes in the workplace. Perhaps even more alarming, 56% of those who reported gender-based discrimination said no action was ever taken.

Advertisement

• Bombastor hit out at sexist double standards

  For Bompastor, none of it comes as a shock. "Guess what was almost the first question everyone is asking me when I want to become a head coach or a manager?" the 45-year-old said. "So I'm going to tell you – 'do you think it's possible to be a mum of four kids and being a manager for a high club?' I think if you have a man in front of the same people, they will never ask that question."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Chelsea have been different

  Bompastor was quick to stress that Chelsea themselves have not been guilty of such attitudes. "It wasn't the case in Chelsea," she added with a laugh.

  Still, the fact she continues to be asked whether she can juggle motherhood and management highlights how far football has to go. "We still have room for improvement in that area, and I'm glad the people are honest and they are brave enough to raise that," she said.

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• Arsenal boss agrees that fight is far from over

  Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers also weighed in, agreeing that football has taken steps forward but warning against complacency.

  "There is still a lot of work that needs to be done," Slegers said. "I think we need to stay critical, although there's been a lot of progress in that sense. It's not always in the big things; it can be in the small things as well. It's good to be aware of it."

Birmingham City have found their return to Championship life to be comfortable so far.

Unlike fellow promoted new side Wrexham, who have already been made well aware of the jump-up in quality, Chris Davies’ Blues look ready for the challenge ahead of the 46-game marathon, having recently fought back dramatically to win 2-1 at Blackburn Rovers.

Having also just been acknowledged at the PFA Awards with seven members of the Birmingham first team squad in League One Team of the Year, everything appears to be rosy currently at St. Andrew’s.

That’s the case even after rumours linking the Blues to an audacious move for Aleksandar Mitrovic were rubbished, with the temporary thought of Mitrovic leading the line for another Championship side a terrifying prospect.

Birmingham's rumoured interest in Mitrovic

There may well have been some weight behind Birmingham plotting a stunning move for the ex-Fulham attacker, considering they have forked out a notable £10m on Kyogo Furuhashi’s services in recent times.

However, landing the Serbian would have undoubtedly been the signing of the summer from the Blues’ perspective – away from the former Celtic man’s arrival on to the scene – when you assess his unbelievable goalscoring exploits in the EFL’s elite division previously.

In total, Mitrovic has managed to bag an insane 83 strikes from just 126 career appearances in the competitive league, with 43 of those coming during just one Championship season.

Of course, it wasn’t just Birmingham taking a look at Mitrovic in isolation, unfortunately, with Leeds United and Sunderland also named as other parties keen on snapping up the imposing centre-forward.

The Al-Hilal attacker wouldn’t be joining the Blues camp on a cheap deal, either, with reports suggesting that he had a £26m price-tag above his head, before you even factor in his wild £414k-per-week salary in the Saudi Pro League, as per Capology.

Therefore, it’s safe to assume – despite Journalist Alex Crook hinting on talkSPORT (17:55, 17th August) that it could have been a possibility – that Mitrovic leaving the luxuries of the Middle East behind for St. Andrew’s was always going to be far-fetched to pull off.

Transfer Focus

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

However, going back in for this former target does seem more realistic and a perfect way to get over this ambitious switch not happening.

Birmingham can forget Mitrovic by signing £13m star

For half of Mitrovic’s extortionate valuation, Birmingham could set their sights on this alternative figure up top instead, with Che Adams – who is worth £13m according to Football Transfers – tipped for a return to St Andrew’s.

As was reported earlier this month, the Championship newcomers still hold some interest in bringing their former striker back to the West Midlands, having been in the race for his signature earlier in the transfer window.

While he might not boast a 43-goal season at the unforgiving level, the Scotsman certainly knows how to find the back of the net with some venom in the EFL’s top league to be seen as an adequate move to go after, instead of landing a more expensive Mitrovic.

Indeed, Adams has managed to register a healthy 49 Championship strikes across his well-travelled career to date, with his last season at the punishing level seeing him bag a career-best 17 goals as his then employers Southampton soared up to the Premier League.

Southampton

191

48 + 21

Birmingham

123

38 + 13

Sheffield United

55

15 + 5

Torino

39

10 + 4

This will surely pique Birmingham’s interest as they try to make the best possible moves to ensure back-to-back promotions occur, with the 29-year-old proving himself to be a reliable goal machine wherever he’s been across his playing days so far. Indeed, ex-Torino manager Paolo Vanoli hailed him as “perfect” for the Serie A side’s system when powering home ten strikes from 39 clashes in Italy.

Rather than Mitrovic ditching the Saudi Pro League for a chance back in England, therefore, it could soon be Adams tempted by a second chance at glory with his ex-side.

In an ideal world, Birmingham might well have shown more purpose as they attempted to bring Mitrovic into the building on a statement deal.

But, any potential lost move for the ex-Championship menace irking Birmingham will be swept under the carpet if Adams joins Davies’ camp last minute, especially if he powers home more crucial second-tier strikes to add another promotion up to the Premier League on his resume.

Birmingham eyeing "great player" with 44 Premier League goal contributions

What a signing this could be.

ByHenry Jackson Aug 19, 2025

In a deal that would see the 49ers hand Daniel Farke a solution to his attacking problems, Leeds United are now reportedly closing in on an experienced striker.

Farke still keen to add attacking additions

After his admission that Leeds’ frontline is not quite ready for the Premier League, those at Elland Road have turned towards the transfer market once again for Farke this summer. The Whites have already welcomed six fresh faces, but have now set their sights on some attacking reinforcements to match the likes of Jaka Bijol, who have already boosted their backline.

With one month to go until the transfer window slams shut, just who arrives to take Farke’s attack to Premier League level is the big question. Names such as Rodrigo Muniz and Beto were among the headlines earlier in the window, but it now seems as though Leeds will be forced to look elsewhere.

To that end, Liverpool’s Ben Doak has reportedly emerged as an option. The 19-year-old winger enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Middlesbrough last season and is now free to leave Anfield for around £20m this month.

What’s more, names such as Jonathan Rowe have also been mentioned – a name that Leeds fans will be familiar with thanks to his time at Norwich City.

The England U21 international has reportedly been identified as a key target by those in Yorkshire, as they weight up whether to match his £17m price-tag. Alas, before either of those young stars arrive, Leeds’ focus looks to have turned towards a veteran striker who has scored over 200 career goals.

Leeds closing in on Taremi

According to Corriere dello Sport, as relayed by TeamTalk, Leeds are now closing in on signing Mehdi Taremi from Inter Milan after fending off competition from West Ham United and Nottingham Forest to take pole position for his signature.

Given that Farke wants Premier League-level quality, Leeds’ pursuit of Taremi should come as no surprise. The 33-year-old has scored over 200 career goals and featured for the likes of Porto and, most recently, Inter Milan.

Huge upgrade on Nmecha: Leeds plotting move to sign £26m "monster"

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4 ByJoe Nuttall Aug 7, 2025

With three goals and nine assists to his name in all competitions last season too, it’s clear that Taremi can still make an impact at the top level – even if that comes as a creator more than a goalscorer these days.

Even in more of a squad role at Inter last season, Taremi still earned impressive praise from the legendary Clarence Seedorf, who said after the forward helped his side defeat Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final: “He was attacking, defending, and he even won one against Lamine Yamal. He really made a difference. Mehdi has been underrated here [at Inter] all year.”

England find reverse-swing to make key inroads after Leach’s early breakthroughs

Andrew Miller15-Oct-2024

Kamran Ghulam made a hundred on debut•Getty Images

There has been precious little for Pakistan cricket to cheer in recent months, but on the opening day of the second Test in Multan, Kamran Ghulam provided a moment of unbridled joy as he brought up a gutsy century in his maiden Test innings, to carry the fight for his embattled team.Though he fell late in the day for 118, bowled by Shoaib Bashir as he looked to stay proactive with the close of play looming, Ghulam’s debut efforts helped to lift Pakistan to 259 for 5 – scarcely riches by the standards that England were dishing up on this very same surface last week, but the beginnings of a score nonetheless.Despite Pakistan’s experience in the first Test, when their first-innings 556 ended up on the wrong side of an innings defeat, Ghulam’s resolute efforts – allied to a career-best 77 from Saim Ayub and an atypically entrenched 37 not out from Mohammad Rizwan – kept Pakistan on course for the sort of 300-plus score that could yet be competitive if their spin-heavy attack can take advantage of a pitch that had been heavily watered and dried with industrial fans in the four-day turnaround between Tests.The danger for Pakistan, however, may yet come from the weapons that they won’t be able to deploy. Despite two early wickets for Jack Leach, who has now claimed nine in three innings on this surface to reassert his status as England’s senior spinner, their most pronounced threat came through a mid-afternoon spell of reverse-swing, excellently harnessed by a three-pronged seam attack. Uniquely, all three hail from Durham, among them Ben Stokes, who was back to lead the team for the first time since his hamstring tear in August. In opting to ditch both Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah for this contest, much will be resting on their lone quick, Aamer Jamal, if Pakistan hope to utilise similar skills.All such considerations can wait for now, thanks to the efforts of Ghulam, who – at the age of 29 – was the second oldest Pakistani to record a debut century. He achieved the feat with a gleeful swing through the leg-side off Joe Root, after an anxious wait in the 90s that had encompassed the evening drinks break. A few more moments of delay could not perturb him, however, after more than a decade of service in Pakistan’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, in which time he might have assumed that his haul of more than 4500 runs at 49 would forever be overlooked.His innings had begun at 19 for 2 in the tenth over, after Leach – thrown the ball early after Stokes’ quick assessment of the surface – had become the first England spinner to strike twice so early in a Test match since Johnny Briggs in 1889. His impact threatened another meltdown to match Pakistan’s fourth-evening collapse in the first Test, but Ghulam proved his mettle from the outset, showcasing his familiarity with the arid conditions and his faith in the methods that had finally got him noticed.His first boundary was a composed launch for six back over Leach’s head, and in easing through to his first half-century from 104 balls, he recorded a milestone that had eluded his more illustrious compatriot, Babar Azam, in the 18 out-of-form innings that had resulted in his omission.Brydon Carse produced a key breakthrough with the old ball•Getty Images

Ghulam had faced just two deliveries of fast bowling in his first 120, however, when Stokes brought himself into the attack midway through the afternoon, and the challenge instantly went up a notch. In his first over, Stokes found a fat edge that flew at a catchable height through the vacant slip cordon, and when a second edge fell short soon afterwards, Root found himself donning a helmet four yards from the bat in a bid to make any further chance count.The breakthrough, however, arrived at the other end. Ayub’s reputation had suffered in this series, largely as a consequence of his hopelessly misfiring opening partnership with Abdullah Shafique, which at least reached double-figures for the first time in nine innings. It didn’t get much further, however, as Leach bowled Shafique for 7 to reduce Pakistan to 15 for 1, before Shan Masood clipped on the up to Zak Crawley at midwicket for 3.In isolation, however, Ayub has been a qualified success at the top of Pakistan’s order, and this was his third half-century in four first innings, following his twin fifties against Bangladesh last month. But, with tea approaching, and England beginning to make the ball talk, Matthew Potts threatened his outside edge with a diet of hooping outswingers from over the wicket, before Stokes pouched a firm push through the line at a very straight silly mid-off (168 for 3).After tea, Brydon Carse, energetic as ever, roughed up Saud Shakeel with an excellent short ball, then found his edge for 4 with an even better 140kph/87mph delivery that fizzed through to Jamie Smith behind the stumps. And England’s position could have been stronger still had Ben Duckett clung on to a loose slap from Ghulam, on 79, as he chose to take the attack to the returning Leach and almost paid the price at mid-on.The value of Stokes’ economy with his seamers throughout a morning session was brought to bear in the evening, with Carse helping to keep Rizwan under the cosh for 19 deliveries without scoring before Potts took over and so nearly landed an innings-altering blow. His first delivery to Rizwan, on 6 at the time, zipped past the outside edge and into Smith’s gloves, but England declined to use a review – even though replays showed that the ball had grazed the splice of his bat.England’s endeavours were worthy of another breakthrough before the close, and though he had once again been the weaker link in the attack, Bashir obliged with a critical strike late in the day. Armed with the second new ball, he skidded a good-length delivery past Ghulam’s tired charge, and clipped the top of leg to prise a critical opening that could yet make the difference in Pakistan’s quest for a serviceable first innings.

Still chasing potential incomings despite their PSR concerns, Aston Villa have now reportedly opened talks to sign an experienced winger who scored against Manchester United last season.

In just three days, Aston Villa will face the PSR deadline in the hope that they’ve done enough to avoid any sanctions. Whether that means player sales or even the sale of their women’s team is the big question. Already, names who could be sacrificed include young gem Louie Barry who Villa are reportedly ready to sell this week to meet PSR requirements.

Meanwhile, fresh reports have suggested that Villa could also follow Chelsea in selling their women’s team for over £100m this summer. The sale would take advantage of a PSR loophole and could save their transfer window.

Once Monday’s deadline has passed, Aston Villa should finally know where they stand on the transfer front and that could see them spring into action to get their business underway.

If they are in a position to spend, then they could do so to welcome the likes of Lucas Chevalier. The Villans have reportedly opened talks to sign the LOSC Lille goalkeeper and have tabled an offer worth £40m.

Aston Villa chiefs now prepared to sell "superb" 16-goal forward this week

The Villans must be ruthless.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jun 26, 2025

Their pursuit of the Frenchman comes amid rumours that Emiliano Martinez could leave the club this summer. Reports have even gone as far as to suggest that the World Cup winner now wants to join Premier League rivals Manchester United.

It’s not just in the defensive third that Aston Villa could make changes, though. A fresh name who knows all about scoring against Premier League opposition is now threatening to steal the headlines.

Aston Villa hold talks to sign Pepe

As reported by ESPN Brazil, Aston Villa have now held talks to sign Pepe from FC Porto this summer. The 28-year-old winger has already got his name on the scoresheet at the Club World Cup – netting in a 4-4 draw with Al-Ahly and could now be on the move for over €15m (£12m+) in the coming months.

At the peak of his powers, Pepe proved that he has the quality to perform against Premier League sides when he scored in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Manchester United in the Europa League’s table phase last season.

Just one of the six goals that he managed alongside his four assists in all competitions last season, Pepe would offer Unai Emery some much-needed attacking depth following the end of Marco Asensio’s and Marcus Rashford’s loan spells.

As the Spaniard looks to enjoy more success in the Europa League next season, having that depth will be more important than ever for Aston Villa.

Richa Ghosh suffered a concussion on the field during the first T20I between India and South Africa in Chennai on Friday. The 20-year-old wicketkeeper was subsequently ruled out of the game with batter S Sajana subbing in to take her place from the chase onwards.Ghosh, who was playing her 50th T20I, had symptoms of “neck pain and dizziness” as per a BCCI statement after attempting a catch in the 16th over of the first innings. Tazmin Brits heaved a length ball from Pooja Vastrakar across the line and got a top edge. Ghosh ran forward, put in a big dive and reached out with both hands but the ball rebounded off her gloves and into her face. Ghosh immediately sought the help of India physio and went off the field.Initially, the uncapped Uma Chetry came on as substitute and kept wicket, but then at the change of innings Sajana was announced as the official concussion substitute. She would’ve been allowed to bat had there been the need but the match ended before that with South Africa securing a 12-run victory and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.Brits also suffered an injury, a contusion in the right lower leg and had to be stretchered off the field in the second innings. It seemed like a cramp initially when she went off the field after the fifth over. This was after the South Africa opener spent 92 minutes during the first innings top-scoring for her side with a 56-ball 81 that helped the visitors to 189 for 4. Masabata Klaas replaced Brits in the field.

The decision not to sign Jadon Sancho on a permanent deal evoked memories of the Chelsea of old. A ruthlessness that famously saw Carlo Ancelotti given the sack after missing out on the Premier League title in his second season – just a year on from guiding the club to the double

In the case of Sancho, the Englishman had notably scored a stunner in last month’s Conference League final, albeit while ending 2024/25 with just three goals and five assists to his name in the league. Good, but not good enough.

That has been a commendable motto for the Blues over their glorious last 20 years or so, having repeatedly hired and fired, all while increasing the competition in their playing ranks with successive statement signings.

Take Nicolas Jackson, for instance, the Senegalese striker hardly disgracing himself – suspensions aside – with 24 league goals across his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge, albeit with just ten of those coming last term. Again, good, but not quite good enough.

£30m man Liam Delap looks to have swiftly usurped the former Villarreal man in the pecking order, all while being acutely aware that failure to perform himself could see yet another fresh face acquired – a certain Hugo Ekitike springs to mind.

As the old adage goes, pressure makes diamonds, with Enzo Maresca and co no doubt hoping that more exciting additions can thrive in this pressurised environment in west London…

Latest on Chelsea's search for new forwards

Sancho is gone, but in his place, young Jamie Gittens could be set to arrive, with Chelsea still working to bring the 20-year-old back to England from Borussia Dortmund, amid his prior stint in Manchester City’s youth ranks.

Despite reports that Gittens has agreed a seven-year contract with the Blues, there appears to still be club-to-club negotiations taking place regarding his reported £55m price tag.

With that deal yet to get the green light, it is still worth the west Londoners seeking alternatives, with TEAMtalk reporting that they are among the clubs to have made an enquiry over Lyon starlet, Malick Fofana.

Transfer Focus

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

That contact has come amid the Ligue 1 side’s recent relegation – something they are set to appeal – with clubs lining up to potentially pounce on their ongoing financial woes and apparent need to sell.

As per the report, the likes of Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have also made their move for the 20-year-old, with those suitors hoping to strike a deal for less than the Belgian’s previous £42m price tag.

Why Fofana could be Chelsea's next Eden Hazard

The signing of an exciting, young Belgian talent from Ligue 1 – ring any bells?

Of course, Chelsea famously won the race for a 21-year-old Eden Hazard back in the summer of 2012, with the then-Champions League holders plucking the winger from Lille for a reported fee of £32m.

198 goals and assists would follow in a Chelsea shirt for the now-retired wizard, although that doesn’t quite tell the full story. This was a player, at his pomp, who was a match for any opposition or opponent.

A man who could win a game on his own – take his solo stunner against Arsenal in 2017, for example – Hazard at his best was simply a sight to behold, jinking his way past defenders with consummate ease. It’s no wonder he was hailed the “best player in the Premier League” at one stage by pundit, Paul Merson.

Young Fofana has a way go to hit the levels of his sparkling compatriot, although the comparisons are – unsurprisingly – already being made, with GOAL noting that he has been described as ‘Eden Hazard-like’ by those in his homeland.

As per The Athletic’s Alex Barker, what particularly sets the 20-year-old apart, in a similar mould to Hazard, is his dribbling prowess, having been noted as “one of the best” in Ligue 1 in that regard.

Indeed, he notably ranks in the top 3% among his peers in France’s top-flight for progressive carries made per 90, as per FBref, while also ranking in the top 2% in that same metric among attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues.

Jamie Gittens – Borussia Dortmund

8

4

12

Kenan Yildiz – Juventus

7

5

12

Eliesse Ben Seghir – Monaco

6

3

9

Malick Fofana – Lyon

5

4

9

Antonio Nusa – RB Leipzig

3

4

7

Jean-Matteo Bahoya – Frankfurt

2

3

5

Jesus Rodriguez – Real Betis

2

1

3

Mamadou Diakhon – Stade Reims

2

1

3

Yan Diomande – Leganes

2

1

3

Bazoumana Toure – Hoffenheim

0

3

3

For context, Hazard ranked in the top 1% of Premier League wingers in that regard during his final season in English football (2018/19), having simply been a master ball-carrier for the Blues.

Like the 126-cap Red Devils star too, Fofana also boasts an end product to match that devastating flair, having ended 2024/25 with 11 goals and six assists to his name in all competitions, included six goals in just ten Europa League outings.

Described as a “starboy” by writer Zach Lowy, the Lyon gem looks destined to reach the top over the coming years, with Chelsea able to offer him the chance to follow in Hazard’s footsteps at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca's next Cole Palmer: Chelsea enter race to sign £50m PL "machine"

The incredible talent could be a star for Chelsea.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 28, 2025

Virgil van Dijk has been one of the most dominant centre-backs in the world after joining Liverpool from Southampton back in 2018, with the Dutch star almost always in control of things at the back.

But who is the best top-flight central defender the Premier League has seen since its creation in 1992? We’ve witnessed elegant ball-players, goalscoring brutes and pure sweepers, but someone has to be number one…

Ranking factors

• Appearances
• Titles
• Clean sheets
• Personal honours
• What others have said about them

20 best centre-backs in Premier League history: in pictures

Top 20 centre-backs in Premier League history
Rank	Player	Clubs played for
1	John Terry	Chelsea
2	Virgil van Dijk	Southampton, Liverpool
3	Rio Ferdinand	West Ham, Leeds, Man Utd, QPR
4	Tony Adams	Arsenal
5	Nemanja Vidic	Man Utd
6	Vincent Kompany	Man City
7	Sol Campbell	Tottenham, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Newcastle
8	Jaap Stam	Man Utd
9	Steve Bruce	Man Utd
10	Ricardo Carvalho	Chelsea
11	Gary Pallister	Man Utd, Middlesbrough
12	Martin Keown	Everton, Arsenal
13	John Stones	Everton, Man City
14	Jamie Carragher	Liverpool
15	Sami Hyypia	Liverpool
16	Ledley King	Tottenham
17	Paul McGrath	Aston Villa, Derby County
18	Marcel Desailly	Chelsea
19	Kolo Toure	Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool
20	Gary Cahill	Aston Villa, Bolton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace

20

Gary Cahill

Aston Villa, Bolton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace

After beginning his Premier League career with Aston Villa and Bolton, Gary Cahill made his name at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea, winning two league titles with the Blues alongside John Terry.

In fact, at one point, Terry described Cahill as “different class” and “England’s best centre back”, with the latter being named in the PFA Team of the Year on three separate occasions.

Gary Cahill’s Premier League stats
Games	394
Goals	28
Clean sheets	103
Assists	11
Titles won	2

19

Kolo Toure

Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool

Not many players can say they have played for Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool, but that is the Premier League path Kolo Toure took between 2002-2016.

The Ivorian was part of the Gunners’ famous ‘Invincible’ squad and his man-marking ability, speed and strength in the air have seen him named as one of the most underrated players of the Premier League era in the media.

Kolo Toure’s Premier League stats
Games	352
Goals	12
Clean sheets	108
Assists	10
Titles won	2

18

Marcel Desailly

Chelsea

Not only was Marcel Desailly a top centre-back, but the French icon could also turn out as a holding midfielder if required as well.

He won multiple trophies throughout his career, including three honours as a Chelsea player, and made defending look easy in England. Desailly didn’t win a Premier League title, but he was named in the PL team of the decade between 1992-2002.

Marcel Desailly’s Premier League stats
Games	158
Goals	6
Clean sheets	54
Assists	4

17

Paul McGrath

Aston Villa, Derby County

Aston Villa legend Paul McGrath was 32 years of age when the Premier League was formed, but he still went on to make more than 160 appearances in the top flight, the majority of which came at Villa Park.

Former manager Ron Atkinson even hailed McGrath as the best centre-half ever to play in the Premier League and is still referred to as ‘God’ by the Villans.

Paul McGrath’s Premier League stats
Games	166
Goals	6
Clean sheets	40
Assists	3

16

Ledley King

Tottenham

Spurs icon Ledley King made more than 250 Premier League appearances at White Hart Lane and has gone down as a Tottenham legend.

In truth, if it wasn’t for Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, King would have earned more than 21 England caps as, during his prime, King even ‘reminded some observers of the great Bobby Moore’ – not a bad comparison to have.

Paul McGrath’s Premier League stats
Games	268
Goals	10
Clean sheets	63
Assists	8

15

Sami Hyypia

Liverpool

A key member of the Liverpool side that won the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 2000/01, Sami Hyypia was a bargain buy for the Reds after signing for just over £2.5m from Willem II.

The Finnish giant has gone down as “one of the smartest pieces of business the club has ever conducted” and would go on to captain Liverpool. He never won the Premier League but left his mark as an imposing centre-back.

Sami Hyypia’s Premier League stats
Games	318
Goals	22
Clean sheets	125
Assists	15

14

Jamie Carragher

Liverpool

Jamie Carragher began his career as a right-back before being moved central by Rafael Benitez and would go on to establish himself as a Liverpool legend.

Making more than 700 appearances as an Anfield defender, Carragher was being spoken about as England’s best defender at one point in his career ahead of the likes of Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Sol Campbell, however, he never lifted the league title during his 17 years as a Liverpool professional.

Jamie Carragher’s Premier League stats
Games	508
Goals	3
Clean sheets	195
Assists	15

13

John Stones

Everton, Man City

A great modern day centre-back of the Premier League era, there hasn’t been many better on the ball in defence than John Stones.

He’s been a favourite of Pep Guardiola’s at the Etihad Stadium, who has even used him as a holding midfielder at points during his time. Guardiola said he “loves” Stones and called him “incredible”, with the former Everton man winning six titles and being named in the PFA Team of the Year twice while at City.

John Stones’s Premier League stats
Games	252
Goals	11
Clean sheets	75
Assists	2
Titles won	6

12

Martin Keown

Everton, Arsenal

One defender who did lift the title, on three occasions in fact, was Arsenal’s Martin Keown. In the peak years of his career at the age of 26 when the Premier League was formed, Keown moved to the Gunners from Everton in 1993 and got better with age.

After starring at Highbury for more than 10 years, Keown got the fairytale send-off in May 2004 as part of the ‘Invincible” squad and is regarded as ‘one of the club’s greatest defenders’.

Martin Keown’s Premier League stats
Games	323
Goals	4
Clean sheets	108
Assists	7
Titles won	3

11

Gary Pallister

Man Utd, Middlesbrough

At the age of 27, when the Premier League began, Gary Pallister was at the top of his game and would go on to help Man Utd win four titles in five years.

The towering defender had pace, ‘terrific ball control’ and ‘excellent aerial ability’. Pallister has gone down as a Red Devils legend and was even named in Roy Keane’s dream Man Utd XI.

Gary Pallister’s Premier League stats
Games	261
Goals	9
Clean sheets	104
Assists	6
Titles won	4