This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Former England international Paul Robinson has praised Everton’s recent hero Cenk Tosun, claiming the striker “brings something different” to the team.
What did he say?
Tosun snatched a point for Everton in the 97th minute against Tottenham Hotspur. This memorable goal was his first since he scored against Spurs back in May, and it is just his 10th at the club.
His equaliser showed grit and determination right until the final whistle, and Robinson believes the Turkey international has been unlucky not to start more often.
The former Spurs man told Football Insider: “He certainly delivered when he came on.
“Silva has chopped and changed his strike force and Tosun seems to be the one who hasn’t been given as much of a chance or as much game time as everybody else.
“But when he came on, he was a threat, he took his chance, it was a very very good typical Tosun goal.
“He works hard, he’s not the conventional No.9, but I think he took his chance, out of the four or five the manager has been rotating…he’s probably the unfortunate one, who hasn’t got the game time.
“He brings something different, he brings a threat at set-plays and as we saw with his goal, he is very good in the air.”
Time for a permanent role?
Tosun has proven down the years that his goalscoring abilities are of a high standard. Prior to his £27m move to Everton, the 28-year-old bagged 20 league goals for Besiktas in Turkey. In that 2016-17 season, his efforts helped defend Besiktas’ Super Lig title as he bagged 20 of the club’s 73 league goals.
Now, at Everton, Marco Silva must help him rediscover that form he showed back in his homeland, with other players not quite cutting it.
In truth, despite scoring five goals so far, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not pulled his weight over the years. The Englishman has gone long periods without scoring and has only registered 22 goals in 105 appearances at Everton.
Silva must start to stick with an attacker now so they can start to build confidence and form – Tosun is that man.
Manchester City endured a frustrating evening at The Etihad on Wednesday night as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Serie A champions Inter.
Pep Guardiola’s side kicked off their Champions League campaign with a solitary point on the board and will surely be disappointed that they did not claim all three.
They had the chances to come away with the win, racking up 2.45 xG to Inter’s 0.53, but failed to make the most of the big chances that they created.
There were a number of underwhelming performers on the pitch for the Premier League champions and one of them, Savinho, was withdrawn at the break.
Savinho's performance in numbers
The Brazil international was selected to start on the right flank for City but only last 45 minutes before the Spanish head coach opted to replace him with Phil Foden.
It was not a horrendous display from the former Girona star, however, as he did not make any major mistakes or look completely out of his depth.
Inter doubled, and sometimes tripled, up on him, though, and that meant that the forward struggled to make things happen in possession, ending the half with one chance created and zero dribbles completed.
90min awarded him a player rating of 6/10 for his 45 minutes on the pitch, describing him as the ‘primary’ outlet for City in the first half, and he was far from the worst performer for City, as Bernardo Silva let Guardiola down even more.
Bernardo Silva's struggles against Inter
The Portugal international, who was handed a 5/10 player rating from 90min, produced a disappointing display in the middle of the park for the Cityzens.
He did not offer much in the way of quality in or out of possession. Opposition defenders found it too easy to get the better of him in physical duels and he was too safe in his use of the ball.
The midfielder ended his time on the pitch with a pass completion rate of 94% but did not create a single chance for his teammates from any of those passes, which speaks to his lack of quality in the final third.
Pass completion rate
94%
Key passes
0
Shots on target
0
Big chances missed
1
Duels won
0/3
As you can see in the table above, the 30-year-old star lost all three of his duels in midfield for City and did not register a single key pass or shot on target.
The big chance he missed was also a glaring opportunity to find the back of the net. Kevin de Bruyne played a sublime ball across the box and Bernardo almost missed his kick from around 12 yards out, under no pressure, and the ball bobbled away from him.
This shows that he was even worse than Savinho, who at least created a chance for the team and did not miss any ‘big chances’, against Inter, and that is why he let Guardiola down with his poor showing on Wednesday night.
Foden loves him: Man City academy teen could be their next Rico Lewis
The Cityzens youngster has already been praised by Guardiola and Phil Foden.
Glasgow Rangers once again failed to step up when they needed to in the Old Firm as they were beaten 3-0 at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
Head coach Philippe Clement has now lost four and drawn one of his five encounters with Celtic since he arrived at the club last year, which illustrates the gulf between the two sides at this time.
Goals from Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi put the hosts in control in the first half, before Callum McGregor struck, via a deflection from Dujon Sterling, a third from distance in the second 45.
It was a terrible afternoon for the Gers across Glasgow and, in particular, for captain James Tavernier, who struggled once again in the Old Firm.
James Tavernier's struggles
The English full-back made the worst possible start to a league meeting between the two sides in April when his slow clearance rebounded off Maeda to give Celtic the lead inside one minute back in April.
This time, it took until the 17th minute for the Japan international to make the most of Tavernier's lacklustre defensive work, as he stole a march on the defender to nip across him and fire in the opener from Alistair Johnston's pull-back.
Tavernier did make three tackles and two interceptions during the match and won seven of his 13 duels, but that did not make up for his critical error for Maeda's opener.
The skipper was also fortunate not to see a positional mistake pounced upon when Nicolas Kuhn weaved a pass through to find Reo Hatate in acres of space where Tavernier should have been, only for the midfielder to fire high and wide from six yards out.
Cyriel Dessers' Old Firm issue
Cyriel Dessers, who was handed a match rating of 3/10 by GlasgowWorld's Lewis Anderson, was criticised by former Gers striker Billy Dodds on BBC Sportsound, as the ex-forward said that the Nigeria international's efforts were "not good enough".
He was even worse than Tavernier, who at least created three chances and one 'big chance' for his teammates, as the attacker struggled in and out of possession.
The former Cremonese number nine has now scored one goal in six appearances against Celtic in the Old Firm clashes, whilst Kyogo has managed eight goals in 15 games against Rangers. That illustrates the difference in quality between the strikers of the two sides.
Minutes played
90
Shots
2
Goals
0
Key passes
1
Duels won
2/9
Lost possession
15x
As you can see in the table above, Dessers made little impact at the top end of the pitch, with zero goals and only one chance created, and was dominated off the ball.
Tavernier, at least, created one 'big chance' for the team and looked to make things happen in the final third, whereas, the striker offered very little.
Dessers was also a lightweight when Rangers needed him to hold the ball up and alleviate pressure, as he lost a whopping seven of his nine duels, and these statistics show that he was nowhere near good enough in or out of possession.
Move over Dessers: Rangers missed out on a dream signing for Cerny
Philippe Clement missed out on a striker who would have been better than Cyriel Dessers
It may be a new Premier League season, but it appeared very much like the same old Manchester United at the weekend, with Erik ten Hag's men failing to banish last year's demons after conceding at the death at the Amex.
That 95th-minute winner from an unmarked Joao Pedro ensured that it is now three seasons in a row in which United have fallen to defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion in the early knockings of a campaign, with bitter rivals Liverpool to come next in top-flight action.
Perhaps the Seagulls are merely a bogey team for Ten Hag, but Saturday's 2-1 loss has sparked concern that 2024/25 could well be more of the same for the Red Devils, with the continued woes of Marcus Rashford a particular worry.
Stat
Fulham (H)
Brighton (A)
Minutes played
90
65
Touches
44
23
Goals
0
0
Assists
0
0
Big chances missed
N/A
N/A
Big chances created
1
0
Key passes
1
0
Successful dribbles
0/5
1/3
Offsides
1
2
Pass accuracy
76%
72%
Possession lost
16x
7x
Total duels won
2/10
2/5
The England international – who scored just eight goals in all competitions last season – was withdrawn on the hour mark on the south coast after a largely ineffective display, with pundit Alan Shearer noting that the 26-year-old is "not a youngster anymore" and needs to get his act together.
More is certainly expected of the £300k-per-week marksman, although perhaps he is simply in need of support behind him to finally get firing again…
Man Utd's search for a left-back
All the talk at present is centred around the Old Trafford side's pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Manuel Ugarte, with a move for the Uruguayan seemingly all but done following the news that the 23-year-old is heading to England to undergo a medical.
While it would be a surprise for further moves to follow after the capture of Ugarte, journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed that United have held talks with Chelsea over the signing of Ben Chilwell, with the Englishman one of many to have been exiled from Enzo Maresca's first-team squad.
Interest in the £200k-per-week full-back has come amid the Blues' apparent pursuit of United's own 'outcast', Jadon Sancho, with it yet to be seen whether a swap deal involving the two compatriots could be on the cards.
Why Ben Chilwell would be a good signing
Rashford himself must take a fair share of the blame for his woes of late, yet the lack of a recognised left-back behind him has certainly not helped matters, with Luke Shaw having made just 15 appearances last season, while Tyrell Malacia hasn't featured at all for the club since May 2023.
Luke Shaw
With the pair both currently sidelined – and with young Harry Amass only 17 – Ten Hag has been forced to turn to Diogo Dalot and Lisandro Martinez in that role in recent weeks, despite the pair more naturally suited to operating at right-back and centre-back, respectively.
As The Athletic's Carl Anka stated earlier this year, "Rashford needs an overlapping full-back" in order to truly fire at his best, with the addition of a figure like Chilwell – even if just on a short-term basis – able to provide that attacking outlet.
While the former Leicester City star has endured injury woes of his own in recent times, at his best he is a player with a "great engine" and a real willingness to bomb forward – as per Tony Cottee – ensuring he could be the overlapping presence that Rashford is craving.
That is also backed up by the fact that the 27-year-old ranks in the top 10% among his peers in Europe's top five leagues for touches in the attacking penalty area, as well as in the top 9% for progressive passes received.
The one-time £50m man is also able to drive his side up the pitch as he ranks in the top 14% for progressive carries, further indicating that desire to join the attack and support the man ahead of him.
Importantly, Chilwell also boasts the end product to match, having notably provided 21 goals and assists in 106 games for the west Londoners to date. That is not far off Shaw's return of 32 goal involvements, but from 275 outings.
It is perhaps no coincidence that Rashford's best scoring season – in which he scored 30 times in 2022/23 – came in the same campaign in which Shaw made his joint-most appearances for the club in a single term (47), further proof of how the forward benefits when having a regular left-back behind him.
With Shaw having now become somewhat unreliable, however, it could take the signing of a figure like Chilwell to United's number ten truly firing once again.
Man Utd close in on late move to sign their next Roy Keane
The incredible ace could be a game-changer for Ten Hag.
Southampton took their time confirming the appointment of Russell Martin, but the new Saints manager is seemingly wasting no time in compiling a squad capable of earning an instant promotion from the Championship.
According to The Athletic, Russell is set to make Derrick Abu his first signing at St Mary's following the right-back's release from Chelsea last month.
Who is Derrick Abu?
Abu made headlines for non-footballing reasons last year when pursuing a second career as a rapper with the release of his debut single Life's Changing. Under the moniker 'Cho$en', Abu is hopeful he can continue making music and make it big one day.
The 19-year-old still has a shot at making it at the top as a footballer, even if his career took a setback when being released by his boyhood club after more than a decade in West London.
The German-born England U17 international did not make a senior appearance for Chelsea, but he featured eight times in Premier League 2 for the Blues last season and also had a trial with Crystal Palace.
Could Derrick Abu be the next Tino Livramento?
Southampton have clearly seen enough in Abu to take a low-risk punt on a player on as little as £3.4k per month at Chelsea, as per Salary Sport.
The Saints have a good recent record of signing a right-back from Chelsea, with Tino Livramento arriving at St Mary's for a small fee of £5m in August 2021.
Former Swansea manager Russell Martin.
Like Abu, Livramento also spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge without being given a shot at first-team action. However, after impressing for the Saints in his first season, before being restricted to just two outings last season due to injury, the 20-year-old could be on his way back to the Premier League.
Chelsea are one of a handful of big-name sides in the running to sign Livramento, meaning Martin is in need of a new right-back to plug the gap. Besides the fact they are both right-backs with Chelsea roots and a similar age, there are plenty of other similarities between the two players.
For example, Abu – who stands at 5 foot 10, picked up four yellow cards in Premier League 2 last season, matching the number received by Livramento from his 20 appearances in that competition in 2020-21 prior to joining Southampton.
Southampton are hardly signing the youngster based on that disciplinary quirk, of course, but he also shares similarities with Livramento in terms of their attacking nature, with both men just as happy to play as wing-backs.
As pointed out by Daily Echo writer Reece Barrett, Abu is a "brilliant" prospect who shows "lightning-fast acceleration and natural crossing ability". Only two Southampton players crossed the ball more times than Livramento (62) in the 2021-22 Premier League season, so it could be a like-for-like swap in that regard.
Buying a player with no senior experience is always a risk, but if history is anything to go by, Southampton could be about to land themselves another gem at Chelsea's expense. With Championship football on the horizon, there is certainly less pressure than a relegation scrap too.
Tottenham Hotspur could sign Harry Maguire from Manchester United this summer and club talisman Harry Kane wouldn't 'be too concerned' over the 30-year-old joining him in N17, according to journalist Dean Jones.
What's the latest transfer news involving Harry Maguire?
As per The Evening Standard, Tottenham are keen on signing Maguire from Manchester United this summer as Ange Postecoglou gets to work regarding potential additions in north London.
The report states that Spurs may be reticent to move due to Maguire's £190,000 per week salary at the Red Devils; however, a loan move may emerge as a potential option for the 30-year-old in the transfer window.
ESPN understand that both Tottenham and West Ham United have been offered the chance to acquire Maguire, with Erik Ten Hag said to be open to letting go of his club captain.
Ten Hag has also spoken about the future of Maguire in a recent interview, stating: "I'm happy he's here… it's also a decision he has to make [because] nobody would be happy with this situation."
CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs told The United Stand YouTube channel that Wolverhampton Wanderers could also become a contender to tempt Maguire with a fresh challenge elsewhere.
Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones has suggested that Spurs marksman Kane would be content if his international teammate Maguire was to move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.
Jones told FFC: "He's a total professional, he's come through some really tough times if you think of the mental challenges that he's faced on the back of some of his performances. I think if Tottenham were to ask Harry Kane for his views on it, I don't think he would be too concerned about Maguire coming."
Would Harry Maguire be a good signing for Tottenham Hotspur?
Maguire has his critics, it is fair to say; nevertheless, he has shown impressive mental resilience over the last year or so and would offer an experienced head in the Spurs backline if he was to move to the Lilywhites.
In 2022/23, the Red Devils' captain made 31 appearances in all competitions for his current employers in total, as per Transfermarkt.
harry-maguire-man-united-everton-transfers
The 30-year-old has shown his awareness to dangerous attacking situations efficiently in the season just gone, making an average of 2.6 clearances per match in the Premier League, according to WhoScored.
FBRef also note that Maguire has excelled compared to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in the art of aerial duels, winning around 3.01 per 90 minutes across the last 365 days, putting him in the top 12% for this metric.
Of course, some Tottenham fans would have doubts over the signing of Maguire due to his underwhelming time at Old Trafford, though he can still be a competent defender and has proved his worth at times for Manchester United over the last year.
Manchester United's proposed new contract for their goalkeeper David de Gea is ready to go but just waiting on the club to make their final decision.
How much does David de Gea earn?
There were a lot of positives to take from Erik ten Hag's first campaign at Old Trafford after the Red Devils lifted the Carabao Cup and secured Champions League football.
However, the Premier League giants go into the summer transfer window with a lot of significant questions still lingering over the club.
Of course, the future of the current ownership will remain the biggest concern for most fans at Old Trafford with still no real indication as to whether the Glazers will stay or sell.
But another question will remain whether De Gea will be provided with a new deal following the conclusion of his contract at Old Trafford which is set to expire at the end of the month.
It is believed the Spain goalkeeper has been earning in the region of £375k-per-week on his current deal which is set to expire.
However, a potential new deal for the 32-year-old is expected to see him take a significant pay cut which would still see him take home around £200k-per-week.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the proposed contract is ready to go but United are still deciding on whether to stick with the Spaniard:
"I told you guys, the situation looks strange around De Gea because the agreement between De Ge and Man United is almost done; it's about the final details since the end of March.
"But it's also real that at the moment they are not signing the contract and so De Ge is a potential free agent. But at the moment the situation looks really strange more on the club's side than the player's side. De Gea will be ready to sign but at the moment it still doesn't have the final green light from Man United."
What goalkeeper could Man United sign?
Although the Red Devils are said to have this proposed contract at the ready for De Gea this summer, they have been linked with a number of potential options.
Indeed, reports have suggested Ten Hag holds a keen interest in the England and Everton shot-stopper Jordan Pickford this summer.
The report claims the former Sunderland goalkeeper could be made available over the coming weeks for a fee in the region of £30m given the Toffees financial issues.
But it is not just Pickford who has been linked with a potential move to Old Trafford this summer.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Indeed, talkSPORT's report has suggested there is an interest in the 34-year-old Yann Sommer and Inter Milan's Andre Onana.
It was not a season which De Gea will look back on as one of his best – ironically despite winning the Premier League Golden Glove – given some of the criticism he received.
However, it does seem as if he could still be set to ink a big-money deal to extend his stay at Old Trafford.
Manchester United appear to be stepping up their interest in Atalanta sensation, Rasmus Hojlund, according to the latest reports.
What's the latest on Hojlund to Man United?
As per one Italian journalist, writing on Twitter: "#ManchesterUnited will present a first offer of 60 million, today is the first choice. #Atalanta's request will be higher, but the negotiation can get underway."
While it is not stated whether that potential fee is in pounds or euros, Football Transfers have previously suggested that the Serie A side are likely to demand in the region of £60m if they are to part ways with the 20-year-old this summer.
The Red Devils are seemingly looking for suitable striking alternatives to that of England skipper, Harry Kane, amid reports that the Old Trafford outfit are unlikely to make a bid for the 29-year-old due to Tottenham Hotspur's unwillingness to sell.
Would Hojlund be a good signing for Man United?
On the face of it, the signing of a player who scored just nine league goals last season may not appear particularly exciting, although all the signs point to Hojlund simply being a "monster in the making", according to talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Also lauded as "remarkable" by current boss Gian Piero Gasperini – who has likened the Denmark international to fellow Scandinavian striker, Erling Haaland – the former Sturm Graz ace could be the man to lead the line for Erik ten Hag's side over the next decade or so.
The explosive marksman – who has been lauded as "scary quick" by journalist Sacha Pisani – could well be able to form a devastating attacking partnership with fellow youngster, Alejandro Garnacho at the Theatre of Dreams in the long-term, with the teenage Argentine having enjoyed a stellar breakout campaign last season.
Man United's Alejandro Garnacho
Having scored seven goals during United's FA Youth Cup triumph in the 2021/22 campaign – including bagging twice in the final – the 18-year-old has since gone on to make his presence felt in the first-team, racking up ten goals and assists in all competitions.
Lauded as a "game changer" by Manchester Evening News correspondent, Samuel Luckhurst, Garnacho's rapid rise was notably laid bare following his standout cameo in the FA Cup showpiece defeat to rivals Manchester City, having made a 'real impact off the bench', in the words of the Evening Standard's Dom Smith.
Much like Hojlund, the winger's youth would suggest that he still has a way to go to truly reach his full potential, although again – like the Atalanta marksman – the early signs are so very exciting and promising for those at United.
The hope will be that if Ten Hag is to get his man this summer, the former Ajax boss can build his side around both Hojlund and Garnacho over the coming years…
Chelsea getting rid of several experienced senior players this summer, especially in midfield, is 'inconceivable', according to journalist Dean Jones.
What's the latest transfer news involving Chelsea?
As per Football Insider, Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has agreed personal terms with Manchester United and looks set for a move to Old Trafford as long as both clubs can come to an agreement over a fee for the player.
Mateo Kovacic could also be set to depart Stamford Bridge and is said to be in talks with Manchester City over a transfer to the Etihad Stadium, according to talkSPORT.
Cobham academy product Conor Gallagher is being eyed by West Ham United as David Moyes looks to add some depth to his midfield at the London Stadium ahead of next term, as per FootballTransfers.
Talks are also progressing between AC Milan and Ruben Loftus-Cheek as he enters the final year of his deal at Chelsea, as per Football Insider.
The Guardian report that N'Golo Kante is also set to leave the Blues and had completed a medical ahead of a high-profile transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.
Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones is surprised that Chelsea are open to the possibility of inviting on a midfield exodus this summer.
Jones told FFC: "It's strange at a time when you're hearing Mason Mount could leave, Kovacic could leave, Conor Gallagher could leave, Ruben Loftus-Cheek could leave, Kante could leave. That's five midfielders, it's inconceivable that they can all just leave and also you need to open the door to see what else could happen. I think it'd be a blow if Kante left now as well as all those other players because you need some experience and stability and that."
Who else could leave Chelsea this summer?
Chelsea don't seem to be hanging around in identifying who they are happy to move on this summer as Mauricio Pochettino looks to stamp his authority on things in SW6.
Saudi outfits Al Ahli and Al Shabab have both approached Blues striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang over a potential move to the Middle East, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang-in-action-for-Chelsea
Brighton & Hove Albion are also readying up a club-record bid for Chelsea loanee Levi Colwill, who could also leave Stamford Bridge permanently despite showing promise on the South Coast, as per The Daily Mail.
Callum Hudson-Odoi has also been touted with a switch to Nottingham Forest by the same outlet, showing that change is definitely in the winds at Chelsea this off-season.
Arsenal have not made an official proposal for Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Who is Ivan Fresneda?
Fresneda was a key target for the Gunners during the January transfer window, but he turned down a move to the Emirates Stadium, in order to ensure he received regular game time with Real Valladolid.
The 18-year-old has emerged as a key player for the Spanish club this season, after graduating from the youth academy, making 22 appearances in La Liga, and there are a number of top clubs now vying for his signature.
Newcastle United have been credited with an interest in the Spaniard, with the same report from Football Insider claiming that Borussia Dortmund have held talks, while a recent report from Germany indicated that Arsenal have made an offer.
According to BILD (via Football London), a lucrative offer was made for the youngster, with Dortmund also said to be monitoring the situation, however, Romano has since claimed that update was false.
Taking to Twitter, the transfer guru confirmed the Gunners are interested in the right-back, but claimed they are yet to make an offer, saying:
"Arsenal appreciate Ivan Fresneda since January but told they have NOT sent any official proposal, despite reports.
"No concrete negotiation at this stage, race remains open – with Borussia Dortmund interested."
How did Fresneda perform last season?
The starlet has adapted very well to men's football, playing a key role for Valladolid defensively, averaging 2.2 tackles per game, the fourth-highest figure in the squad, while he also ranks very highly for blocks and clearances per 90 over the past year.
Not only is he competent defensively, the Valladolid academy graduate can also pose a threat on the front foot, as highlighted by the La Liga Lowdown's Matt Clark, who said:
"He is a remarkably complete right back despite his young age, balancing his defensive duties with the odd attack too."
Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda.
Although he has exhibited some very promising signs, the £2.6k-per-week defender is not yet the finished article, and he has struggled in recent weeks, being ranked by SofaScore as the joint-worst performing starter in his side's 0-0 draw against Almeria last time out.
As such, it is vital that Fresneda continues to get consistent game time, and so if Arsenal decide to move for him this summer, it may be wise for Mikel Arteta to send him out on loan in order to continue his development.