Jurgen Klopp has explained why he believes Liverpool are at "risk of being exposed" under Arne Slot. The Dutchman's reign has been almost dreamlike since he arrived in England. He guided Liverpool to the Premier League crown last season and opened this campaign with a perfect run of seven straight wins in all competitions. But the first cracks showed at Selhurst Park on Saturday as Crystal Palace beat the Reds 2-1, and Klopp has raised the alarm bell with his observations.
Smooth sailing turns shaky in London
The Reds’ flawless streak hit the buffers on Saturday against Crystal Palace, who delivered a bruising reality check. Ismaila Sarr fired the hosts ahead from a corner after Palace dominated the early exchanges. Liverpool clung on thanks to Alisson’s world-class saves before Federico Chiesa looked to have rescued a point, slotting home after VAR waved away a Mohamed Salah handball shout. But the drama in the Premier League clash wasn’t done. With minutes left, Will Hughes hurled in a long throw that was flicked back into danger, which allowed Eddie Nketiah to control and lash past Alisson. The home crowd erupted, and Liverpool trudged off with their first defeat of the season.
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Klopp’s stark assessment
Klopp, now watching on from the outside, stopped short of outright criticism but made it clear that the high-octane approach under Slot leaves open doors for opponents to exploit.
In an interview with he said: "[Man] City is on the way back, they change a little bit. Managers need that as well… a new way of looking at things to keep it fresh. Liverpool is playing a specific (style), so really, really good. Very offensive oriented. Do they take the risk a little bit of being exposed? Different ways to go, let me say it like that. I’m not the pope of football who tells people what to do. At least not outside the Red Bull world.”
Warning signs for the champions
Seven wins from seven in 2025-26, plus last season’s title, prove Slot has got plenty right. However, opponents will smell blood if they believe Liverpool are vulnerable during set pieces. Selhurst Park was the first real glimpse of that weakness.
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All eyes on Galatasaray clash
Liverpool travel to Turkey on Tuesday night to face Galatasaray in a Champions League clash that suddenly feels like a test of Slot’s resilience. However, one thing is certain: Klopp’s comments will echo loudly if Liverpool show the same soft underbelly in Istanbul during dead-ball situations.
Chasing 148, DC romped to their target with 27 balls to spare, consigning RCB to their fourth straight defeat
Srinidhi Ramanujam01-Mar-2025
Shafali Verma and Jess Jonassen put on an unbroken 146 off just 77 balls•BCCI
Shafali Verma and Jess Jonassen smashed merciless unbeaten fifties to steer Delhi Capitals (DC) into the WPL 2025 playoffs with a nine-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday. It was RCB’s fourth defeat in a row, and they ended without a single win in the Bengaluru leg of the tournament.Ellyse Perry once again led RCB’s fight after they were sent in, scoring an unbeaten 60 to help the side post 147 for 5, but it wasn’t enough against the table-toppers, who had Shikha Pandey and debutant left-arm spinner Shree Charani picking up two wickets apiece.The chase though got off on a tricky note for DC, who lost Meg Lanning in the third over, but Shafali and Jonassen put on an unbroken 146 for the second wicket off just 77 balls – the highest partnership for any wicket in a WPL run chase. The Chinnaswamy was left silenced as DC romped home with 27 balls remaining.Ellyse Perry hit three sixes on her way to an unbeaten 60 off 47 balls•BCCI
Perry anchors RCB inningsPerry came into this game with three fifties in RCB’s first five games, and she was once again central to her team’s fortunes on a slow surface. While there were starts from Danni Wyatt-Hodge (21 off 18) and Raghvi Bist (33 off 32), neither went on to a big score. It was left to Perry to anchor the innings and keep the scorecard ticking at a healthy rate.Coming in after Pandey had dismissed Smriti Mandhana in the second over for another low score (8), Perry was up and running in Pandey’s next over by crashing a wide half-volley over the covers for four. She then hit a six each off spinners Jonassen, Charani and Minnu Mani.Perry put on a brisk 44 with Wyatt-Hodge for the second wicket, and 66 with Bist for the third. With Bist struggling to middle the ball, however, that partnership consumed 54 balls.Perry reached her fourth fifty of the season, off 37 balls, in the 14th over. At the end of the 16th over, RCB were 119 for 2 and eyeing a strong finish. But they fell apart, scoring just 28 in the last four overs for the loss of three wickets. Perry only faced seven balls in the last five overs, scoring eight runs off them.With 295 runs in six innings, Perry has overtaken Nat Sciver-Brunt to become the tournament’s leading run-scorer.Sree Charani finished with figures of 2 for 28 on WPL debut•BCCI
Charani shines on debutDC preferred Charani over fast bowler Titas Sadhu and she looked in her element. Unfazed by the huge turnout at the Chinnaswamy, Charani used the turn that was on offer in the first innings, kept the stumps in play, constantly angling the ball into middle and leg over the course of a tight spell. She removed Bist and Richa Ghosh in a momentum-changing 17th over to deflate RCB at the death, and ended with figures of 2 for 28 from four overs.Chinnaswamy fast follows Chinnaswamy feast for MandhanaMandhana owned the Chinnaswamy during WPL 2024, scoring 219 runs in five innings, including two half-centuries, at a strike rate of 154.22. This season, however, she has perished to ill-judged shots, accumulating just 50 runs in four innings at her home ground at a strike rate of 102.04. On Saturday, she chased a Pandey delivery shaping away from off stump and edged to Lanning at wide slip.Left-right combination works for DCRCB had an excellent start to their bowling powerplay, conceding just five runs in the first three overs. Renuka Singh displayed excellent control with her swing, with almost all of her deliveries finishing within the stumps. She removed Lanning for a 12-ball 2, with Perry taking a sharp chance at mid-on. But once Jonassen joined Shafali, runs started flowing for DC, and it became hard for RCB to keep them quiet.This was the second time Jonassen walked out at No. 3. She had scored another unbeaten 61 from that position at the same ground against Gujarat Giants. With DC’s top order predominantly made up of right-hand batters, they promoted the left-handed Jonassen and it began to unsettle RCB. Jonassen looked fluent in her 38-ball stay, hitting nine fours and a straight six off left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht.Shafali, who had been out in the 40s three times before this game, played a composed knock, showing a desire to not throw her wicket away after a bright start. She ended with her top score of the season, smashing eight fours and four sixes (two each on the off and leg sides) and hammered the bowling to all parts.As DC neared their target, RCB’s bowling began to wither, and Shafali and Jonassen duly punished them. From 68 for 1 after nine overs, DC sprinted to their target, hitting eight fours and five sixes while ransacking 83 runs off what turned out to be the last 39 balls of their innings.
O zagueiro Nino se tornou mais um desfalque do Fluminense na sequência deste ano. O clube informou que um exame realizado na manhã desta segunda-feira (12) detectou que o capitão tricolor está com um edema no músculo adutor da coxa direita.
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O jogador havia sentido dores no decorrer da partida com o Goiás. Após se queixar das dores, Nino saiu do campo do Serrinha chorando.
+ Começo devagar? Cano tem metade dos gols marcados pelo Fluminense no Brasileirão 2023 em relação ao ano passado
Mais cedo, a Seleção Brasileira TAMBÉM informou que o defensor tricolor foi cortado dos amistosos contra Guiné e Senegal por causa do mesmo problema.
With just days before the new Premier League season kicks off, Newcastle United are accelerating plans to fill the most glaring hole in their squad.
Eddie Howe’s side, back in the Champions League for another campaign, are looking beyond their ongoing pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey to secure an experienced forward capable of leading the line from day one.
The urgency stems from a turbulent summer in attack.
Alexander Isak has made it clear he has no plans to reintegrate into the squad if he is not sold before the transfer window closes, while Callum Wilson has joined West Ham on a free transfer.
The result is a glaring lack of senior strikers ahead of a season-opener away to Aston Villa – a venue where Newcastle suffered a humbling 4-1 defeat last term.
Newcastle's latest transfer plans
Talks over Ramsey, valued at around £40m, reportedly continue in the background.
Whilst he would be a welcome addition, what Howe needs now is a proven scorer, one who can deliver in the Premier League and thrive in European competition.
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An agreement for Ramsey is edging closer, with a deal potentially wrapped up by the end of the week. However, another move could be completed for a new centre-forward soon, too.
The striker in question is Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.
According to reports from Africafoot, the Congolese forward is ready for a new challenge after the best season of his career, and he is set to choose Newcastle over Nottingham Forest and Saudi Pro League side Neom SC, with an agreement potentially set to be struck by the end of the week.
Personal terms are not thought to be an issue, with a transfer fee in the region of £30 million under discussion.
For Howe, Wissa’s appeal is obvious. In 2024/25, he scored 19 goals and provided five assists in 35 Premier League appearances – only Mohamed Salah scored more non-penalty goals.
His availability was another asset, missing just six games with an ankle injury, while racking up 3,072 league minutes.
The chemistry he forged with Bryan Mbeumo at Brentford – described by Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam as “absolutely sensational” – was built on movement, quick exchanges, and intelligent positioning.
Mbeumo and Wissa
It’s the sort of link-up play Newcastle will hope he can recreate with Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes, giving the Magpies multiple angles of attack in their 4-3-3 setup.
Why Wissa Is a bigger priority than Jacob Ramsey
It is not just the raw numbers that make Wissa attractive – his all-round game is a blend of efficiency and involvement.
According to FBref, last season he recorded a 76.5% pass completion rate (better than both Erling Haaland and Isak), more shot-creating actions per 90 than Dominic Solanke, and more touches per 90 (34.1) than Liam Delap or João Pedro.
He also carries the ball further in progressive distance than Delap or Solanke, making him as effective in build-up phases as he is in the penalty area.
Ramsey is a player Newcastle have admired for some time, and there is a case to be made for adding his energy and line-breaking ability to the midfield.
But the numbers tell their own story. In 136 Premier League appearances, the 24-year-old has scored just 14 goals, with only 1 goal and 5 assists last season.
Those are useful contributions, but they don’t solve Newcastle’s most pressing problem.
Without a striker, Howe’s team lacks a focal point to turn possession into goals.
Wissa provides exactly that, while also offering tactical flexibility to operate centrally or drift wide, enabling rotations with wingers and creating overloads in wide areas.
His progressive carrying distance and high touch count mean he can drop deep to link play, a valuable trait when facing compact defences in Europe or the Premier League.
Reliability in front of goal is another decisive factor. Wissa’s knack for finding space inside the box, combined with his ability to finish with either foot, makes him a constant threat.
Isak vs Wissa 2024-25 stats (timeless)
His presence would immediately restore balance to Newcastle’s attack, freeing players like Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali to focus on creating rather than compensating for a missing striker.
Admittedly, Wissa is older than Newcastle’s preferred 24-and-under recruitment model, turning 29 in September, and he is likely to miss time during the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations.
But those drawbacks are outweighed by the need for an immediate, proven solution in a Champions League season.
Spending £30m on a forward who can start and deliver now is more justifiable than committing a similar outlay on a midfielder whose position is already somewhat covered by the aforementioned Guimarães, Tonali.
In short, Ramsey would enhance Newcastle’s options – Wissa could define their season.
He's the next Rondon: Newcastle make £40m "machine" their new no.1 target
Newcastle United eye £40m striker in Bid to replace Alexander Isak.
He recently communicated his decision to the ICC, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family
Nagraj Gollapudi13-Sep-2024As he prepares to depart the ICC, Alex Marshall, the head of global cricket’s anti-corruption unit (ACU), has warned that “badly run” domestic T20 leagues “at lower level” remain a “threat” to the game with corruptors looking to use them as an entry point. Marshall, 63, has decided to retire from the ICC job this November, ending a seven-year term, which started in 2017 as general manager of the ICC’s integrity unit, which includes the security and anti-doping units apart from the ACU.Marshall, a former senior policeman in the UK, recently communicated his decision to the ICC, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family, including parents and grandchildren in England. Marshall, who replaced YP Singh, was the fourth ACU head and was shortlisted by Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the independent chairman of the anti-corruption watchdog.Marshall said that while the malaise of corruption will continue to shadow cricket, he was “proud” that during his stint the ACU had been successful in helping players be more forthcoming about approaches from corrupters. “I am proud of the significant increase in trust from players who now report approaches to us frequently whereas there was a time when they lacked confidence in confidentiality and the action that will be taken,” Marshall told ESPNcricinfo on Friday. “They have now seen corruptors being disrupted, named, banned when they get involved in cricket. And the education we now do with players shows them who the corruptors are, what their methods are, so everyone is much better equipped and protected to keep corruption away from the game.”Immediately upon taking charge in September 2017, Marshall and his team investigated several people in Sri Lanka, a country where the ACU was busy at that point, conducting a number of probes concerning “various types of corrupt activities.” That operation lasted several years during which the ACU met the top-most authorities of the Sri Lankan government, including the President and Prime Minister, to paint them a picture of corruption that had seeped into the country’s cricketing system. Eventually, the ACU intervention paved way for Sri Lanka becoming the first South Asian country to criminalise several offences related to match-fixing.Related
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'We are investigating several people in SL' – ACU head Alex Marshall
Marshall said he was happy with the progress in Sri Lanka, where he says there are now stronger guardrails to ward off corrupt elements. “Sri Lanka turned out to be a good news story because there were serious issues which were addressed locally and with ICC,” he said. “Now with the legislation and stronger measures Sri Lanka is in a much better place to keep the corruptors away.”Another significant outcome of the ACU probe involved charging several Sri Lankan players under its own code, including sanctioning a two-year ban on former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya in 2019 for refusing to co-operate with investigations related to corruption in cricket.Two other former international captains, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and Zimbabwe’s Heath Streak, who passed away last September, were charged by Marshall’s ACU for wrongdoing. Both players accepted their offence. In 2019, the ACU sanctioned Shakib across the three international formats for failing to report “not one but three” approaches made by alleged corruptor Deepak Aggarwal to engage in corrupt conduct in two tournaments in 2018: an ODI tri-series in Zimbabwe and an IPL match the same year when the Bangladesh player featured for Sunrisers Hyderabad.In 2021, Streak was handed an eight-year ban by the ACU after admitting to five breaches of the ICC’s anti-corruption code, including accepting a payment in bitcoin from a potential corruptor.As he prepares to leave his ICC job, Marshall has a word of caution for those administering, playing and governing cricket: that corrupt elements continue to wander around, waiting for any opportunity to enter the system. And one of those routes, Marshall stressed, was “badly” managed T20 franchise leagues, which are outside the ambit of the ICC ACU and are instead monitored by the member country boards.”I am confident that the cricket you watch is safe and clean,” Marshall said. “But I am also absolutely sure that corruptors are constantly looking for a route into the game, particularly in badly-run lower-level franchise leagues. The threat to the game is corruptors won’t go away while there is always money to be made and they will look for weakness in the system to get in.”
Leeds United may have to brace for the departure of a “fantastic” player, who now wants to leave the club this summer, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed.
Leeds' summer rebuild well underway
Having been promoted from the Championship last season, Leeds have been busy assembling a squad capable of surviving in the Premier League, with centre-back duo Sebastian Bornauw and Jaka Bijol recently sealing moves to Elland Road.
Striker Lukas Nmecha has also secured a move to West Yorkshire, with Daniel Farke looking to bolster his options in attack, despite already having the 2024-25 Championship top scorer at his disposal in the form of Joel Piroe.
Lecce centre-forward Nikola Krstovic also remains of interest to the Championship title-winners, with it being revealed they are now pushing to get a deal over the line, which means one of Farke’s current striker options may need to make way.
"Done deal" as Leeds sell 6 foot 2 player who Farke called "great"
A “full agreement” has been reached.
1
By
Charlie Smith
Jul 3, 2025
In an interview with Leeds United News, Bailey has now revealed that Mateo Joseph could be on the move this summer, with the forward eager to seal an Elland Road exit and return to his home country of Spain, amid interest from La Liga side Real Betis.
The transfer expert said: “From what I’ve most recently been told, he does want to go back to Spain. But Leeds have got to be careful, in my opinion. You can’t just let Mateo Joseph go and do whatever and then be left short. That’s the consideration.
Mateo Joseph in action for Leeds.
“But I think Joseph will end up back in Spain. Betis have sold a forward in Jesus Rodriguez to Como and that’ll be used to help pay for Joseph.
“From what I’m hearing, he could be accelerated into the first-team squad for Spain very quickly. And I think that’s probably in his consideration as well.”
Krstovic could be excellent replacement for Joseph
Piroe was Leeds’ main man in attack last season, scoring 19 goals in the Championship, but Joseph also featured regularly, picking up seven goal contributions in the second tier, and his departure could be a blow for Farke.
At just 21-years-old, the £13m-rated youngster still has a lot of room to develop, but he has already caught the eye of scout/writer Jacek Kulig, who described the forward as “fantastic” a little over a year ago.
That said, Krstovic could be a solid replacement for Joseph, given that the Montenegro international was regularly amongst the goals for Lecce last season, netting 12 times across 38 appearances in all competitions.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Serie A
37
11
5
Italian Cup
1
1
0
Having already proven himself in a major European league, the Lecce star could be an instant upgrade on Joseph, so if the starlet makes it clear that he wants to leave this summer, Leeds should not stand in his way.
Jack and Prest in the wickets for Hampshire to complete 71-run win
ECB Reporters Network26-Jul-2024Ben Brown celebrated his century of List A appearances with an exceptional hundred as Hampshire got their Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign off to a winning start against Northamptonshire Steelbacks.Wicketkeeper Brown had only scored one previous white-ball century – for Sussex in 2021 – in his first 99 games but picked up a career-best 139 not out.Hampshire had been left on 25 for three after Jack White’s opening spell but Brown, with help from Felix Organ’s 59, got the hosts to 285.Eddie Jack and Tom Prest both picked up their professional best figures of four for 29 and three for 41 as the Steelbacks only reached 214 to lose by 71 runsLewis McManus’ decision to bowl first immediately paid dividends with an unplayable new-ball spell from Jack White. He nibbled the fresh white ball around to dump the hosts to 25 for three.He had already made Fletcha Middleton play and miss three times before thumping into the opener’s leg stump with his fifth ball.Nick Gubbins returned a caught-and-bowled with a leading edge and Prest was pouched at second slip, with White ending his six-over spell with three for six.But in sliding to take the Gubbins catch, White damaged his knee which saw him no return.Without him, Brown rebuilt the innings in style. First in a 51-run stand with Toby Albert, but after Albert had skied to mid on and Joe Eckland had been caught at extra cover, more substantially with Organ.Brown already stashed fifty in 62 balls but Organ’s arrival heralded a freer flow that set the tone for the second half of the innings.Brown doesn’t have the stellarest of white-ball records but showed off the very best of his jabby shot-making square of the wicket.His third century of the season came in exactly 100 balls with a controlled hook shot to the boundary which typified his timing.Organ sailed to a 51-ball 59 in a flash to join Brown for 188 runs before he picked out deep midwicket – giving Zaib the third of his three for 60 – with Jack and Kyle Abbott hit sixes and fell at the death.Brown ended up with 139 not out and Hampshire 285 – which had seemed improbable after White’s early burst.Prithvi Shaw and Emilio Gay got the Steelbacks off to a sensational start with 56 put on inside nine overs but their innings was full of good starts which weren’t capitalised on.Jack’s introduction – with Mohammad Abbas forced off after just two overs – was the main catalyst. The teenager dragged Shaw into a drive straight to cover with his second ball, in an otherwise miserly spell.Gay and Ricardo Vasconcelos put on 42 but a swipe off Brad Wheal saw the end of the former and slid Northamptonshire towards a hole.Vasconcelos swept into the deep, Rob Keogh was lbw on the reverse and George Bartlett was caught behind as three wickets fell for 15 runs.McManus gave Jack his second when he spun to deep square leg before Prest added his third when Saif Zaib missed his sweep to fall leg before and Michael Finan holed out on the leg side.Gus Miller scrapped hard for 47, but with the run-rate surging above 10s he skied Jack straight up, before the England under-19 quick completed Hampshire’s victory by clearing up White.
Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston ended the season on a disappointing note when they missed their spot kicks for Celtic in the final of the SFA Cup.
Aberdeen took them to penalties at Hampden Park, after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, and the two Hoops stars stepped up to miss from he spot, securing the trophy for the Dons.
This meant that the Bhoys failed to win the domestic treble for the second time in as many seasons since Brendan Rodgers returned to Parkhead, as they also won two of the three available trophies last term.
They did still win the Scottish Premiership and the League Cup, though, in what was a successful campaign for the club irrespective of what happened in the SFA Cup final.
It was also still a successful season for Johnston at right-back despite his penalty miss at the national stadium, as he provided impressive performances down the right flank for the Premiership champions throughout the year.
How Alistair Johnston had a successful season for Celtic
The Canada international combined solid defensive work with a desire to get forward to make an impact at the top end of the pitch to offer a fantastic all-round presence at right-back, both in the Champions League and the Premiership.
Johnston started all ten of the club’s matches in Europe, which illustrates how much Rodgers relied on him, and he ranked first out of all players in the squad with more than one start for tackles (2.8) and interceptions (1.4) per game.
This shows that the 26-year-old star was hugely important to Celtic from a defensive perspective, as he consistently made vital interventions to cut out opposition attacks with tackles and interceptions.
It was not only his form in Europe that caught the eye during the season for the Hoops, though, as the defender also delivered exciting displays from right-back in the Premiership.
24/25 Premiership
Alistair Johnston
Appearances
32
Goals
4
Big chances created
15
Key passes per game
1.5
Assists
10
Tackles + interceptions per game
2.0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Johnston provided a decent goal threat from right-back, whilst also being an incredibly creative figure at the top end of the pitch, with almost one ‘big chance’ created every other game on average.
These statistics, along with his defensive numbers in the Champions League, show how the Canadian star has enjoyed a successful season for Celtic, despite his miss in the final against Aberdeen.
In March, The Athletic reported that Fulham and Ipswich were both plotting summer moves for the defender, which suggests that the Hoops may need to fight to keep hold of him.
This shows that his performances for Celtic have also attracted interest from elsewhere, and a fresh report has linked the club with a move for a player who plays in a similar position.
Celtic eyeing deal for Premiership defender
According to EFL Analysis, Celtic are one of the clubs interested in a deal to sign versatile Dundee star Josh Mulligan in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Hoops are set to battle it out with English Championship side West Bromwich Albion to land the Scotland U21 international.
It reveals that the Baggies are already holding talks with the Scottish defender, whilst Celtic’s interest remains just that as it stands, ahead of his expected exit from Dundee.
Mulligan’s contract at Dens Park expires at the end of this month, and he is set to be available on a ‘free’ transfer, although Dundee would be due compensation due to his age.
Alistair Johnston
Whilst West Brom appear to be ahead of the Hoops in the race, due to them already being in talks with the 22-year-old star, Celtic are eyeing up the Premiership star and he could be Johnston 2.0 for Rodgers next season.
Why Celtic should sign Josh Mulligan
At the age of 22, Mulligan could be a terrific addition to the Hoops squad as a long-term signing who could develop and improve with games over the seasons to come.
This means that he could also come in as a back-up to Johnston initially, if the Canada international does not move to the Premier League, because the youngster is at an age where he can bide his time if needed.
Celtic manager BrendanRodgersbefore the match
However, Mulligan is also a proven performer in the Premiership who could hit the ground running as a replacement for the Celtic star if that is the situation that he would walk into this summer.
The versatile star, who can play as a central or attacking midfielder, has caught the eye as a right-sided wing-back for Dundee in the top-flight.
As you can see in the clip above, his emergence in that position earned him plaudits from multiple pundits due to his attacking drive down the right flank.
Whilst Celtic do not play with wing-backs on paper, their dominance in matches means that Johnston is more or less a wing-back in how high he gets up the pitch and how many touches he takes.
24/25 Premiership
Josh Mulligan
Alistair Johnston
Appearances
34
32
Touches per game
42.6
89.8
Big chances created
9
15
Assists
5
10
Tackles + interceptions per game
2.5
2.0
Duels won per game
5.2
3.6
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Mulligan has the potential to be Johnston 2.0 for the Hoops because he created nine ‘big chances’ and posted similar defensive numbers, despite taking less than half as many touches per game.
The 22-year-old star has shown a willingness to drive forward to make things happen at the top end of the pitch from a wing-back position, and was once compared to Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur icon Gareth Bale, who started out his career as a full-back.
Former teammate Simon Ferry said: “He’s a Rolls-Royce like Gareth Bale – powerful, strong, direct. He’s a machine at that age. He wants to learn, listens to you.”
This shows that Celtic could have another ‘machine’ racing down the right flank to deliver assists next season even if they do cash in on Johnston, because Mulligan has the potential to be a fantastic signing for the club.
Celtic can forget Orjasaeter by signing £5m gem who "wins games on his own"
Celtic can forget about Sondre Orjasaeter by signing this reported transfer target.
ByDan Emery May 28, 2025
Therefore, the Hoops should consider opening talks to land the out-of-contract defender in the summer transfer window to beat West Brom to his signature.
Five points clear of third and with just three games to go, Leeds United can begin to tentatively start plotting for life in the Premier League next season, having surged back to the summit following Friday’s narrow victory away at Oxford United.
The Yorkshire side have shaken off a March wobble amid what has been an unbeaten month so far in the Championship, with Daniel Farke’s men having now claimed three successive victories to bolster their desperate bid for promotion.
Daniel Farke
While history would suggest it would be foolish to start popping the champagne just yet, it would appear that the Whites will be able to avoid the lottery of the playoffs this time around, with Manor Solomon’s strike proving the difference at the Kassam Stadium.
The on-loan Tottenham Hotspur man expertly converted at the backpost following Jayden Bogle’s threaded pass across the box, with the visitors also going close to doubling that tally after the break, as Ao Tanaka notably struck the post from range.
Aided by the defensive solidity of the likes of Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu, the Whites were thankfully not made to pay for their inability to kill the game off, albeit with questions still needing to be asked of the attacking unit – including young Wilfried Gnonto.
Wilfried Gnonto's game in numbers vs Oxford
If and when Leeds do book their place back in the top-flight, the Elland Road side will largely have their backline to thank for that much-needed success, having shipped just 29 goals in 43 league games thus far.
While Farke’s men are also way out in front with regard to goals scored – having netted 24 more times than Burnley behind them – things have begun to dry up of late, with the league leaders scoring just five times in four outings in April.
Winning games is, undoubtedly, all that matters, although there may be a concern that Leeds aren’t truly putting teams to the sword, with Gnonto among those in the forward line who are currently failing to fire.
Wilfried Gnonto
Indeed, the diminutive Italian – who notably looked set for an exit following the club’s relegation in 2023 – has scored just six goals and registered only five assists in the second tier this season, a record that includes just a solitary goal involvement since the start of February.
With summer signing Largie Ramazani waiting in the wings, Gnonto has still remained a first-choice figure regardless of his wayward form, with Friday evening seeing the 21-year-old fail to register a single key pass or complete a single dribble before his late withdrawal.
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The 40-touch speedster also lost five of his seven total duels and registered just a solitary shot amid his waning influence, with Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth awarding him a 5/10 match rating, while writing that he simply ‘couldn’t get going’.
In truth, Gnonto is hardly showcasing signs of a player who can light up the Premier League next season – the same is also true of Joel Piroe.
Why Leeds need to upgrade on £15k-p/w star
It’s worth noting that Friday wasn’t exactly a poor outing for the former Swansea City man, with Piroe notably teeing up Brenden Aaronson in the first half with a clever reverse pass – having registered two key passes in total on the night.
Appearances
43
xG
15.06
Goals
15
Key passes per game
0.9
Pass accuracy
77%
Ground duel success rate
33%
Aerial duel success rate
20%
Dribble success rate
31%
That said, it was another example of the Dutchman proving something of a bystander to proceedings even as his side pushed for a second, with the 25-year-old registering just 31 touches in all, fewer than teammate Karl Darlow recorded in the sticks (38).
While he can represent an effective link man, the £15k-per-week enigma hasn’t shown that much-needed cutting edge amid what is a crucial stage of the campaign, with the 15-goal marksman having now gone nine games without a goal.
Joel Piroe
What makes that record even more frustrating is that Piroe isn’t exactly thriving as the focal point in the team either, with the trip to Oxford seeing him lose the ball on ten occasions, while having lost ten of his 16 total duels.
As Smyth – who did award the former PSV man a 7/10 match rating – noted, Piroe also notably ‘faded’ after the interval, with it having been no surprise when he was ultimately replaced by Patrick Bamford on the 75-minute mark.
It would seem that Leeds will edge their way to promotion regardless of Piroe’s struggles of late, although it hardly bodes well for the impact that he can make when Farke’s side are competing in top-flight action next term.
While the signing of a new goalkeeper may be among the list of priorities this summer, the Yorkshire outfit are also in need of a genuine upgrade in the centre-forward ranks if they are to avoid a swift return to the Championship.
Farke can repeat Meslier trick by dropping "anonymous" Leeds flop
Daniel Farke can repeat the trick he played with Illan Meslier by dropping this Leeds United flop.
Setting their sights on reinforcements with or without promotion to the Premier League, Sheffield United have now reportedly joined the race to sign a defensive reinforcement whose quality they know all about.
Sheffield United set for key play-off battle
With Burnley and Leeds United already promoted and left to battle it out for the Championship title, Sheffield United must turn towards the play-offs and Wembley success if they are to take their place in the Premier League for next season. That is, of course, easier said than done though. The play-offs are rarely routine and have the chance to throw up the kind of shocks that the Blades will be desperate to avoid.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder reacted to the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion recently, telling reporters: “Congratulations to Daniel (Farke) and Scott (Parker) and their two teams, for those clubs to have the ability to reach 100 points shows you what the division is like, and we’ve finished up the third best team in the division.
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“The season went to the 44th game and I thought we had a right go, created some chance, but the goals have killed us, it was two poor goals, and the penalty hands the initiative back to them, despite us always carrying a threat.
“We’ve had to learn on the job and the season doesn’t end here, we’d have had to get 95+ points, so it is an insane season. The players will learn from this because we’ve fallen short.”
After officially finishing third, Wilder’s side will now square off against sixth place in the Championship play-offs, which will be Coventry City if nothing changes on the final day this weekend. With Millwall, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough all forming the chasing pack, however, Sheffield United will only know their fate at the end of this weekend’s fixtures.
Sheffield United join Ciaron Brown race
Away from the action, the Blades have seemingly commenced their summer plans even without knowing their fate. According to Graeme Bailey for EFL Analysis, Sheffield United are now racing to sign Ciaron Brown from Oxford United this summer but face competition from both Norwich City and Middlesbrough for his signature.
Those at Bramall Lane will be hoping that their place as promotion hopefuls this season and hopefully a top flight club in the coming weeks will tempt the versatile defender.
Ciaron Brown for Northern Ireland.
Brown is a versatile centre-back that Sheffield United know all about too, having witnessed him pocket the talented Ben Brereton Diaz in Oxford’s stunning 1-0 victory over Wilder’s side last month.
As per Fotmob, Brereton Diaz was hooked after 59 minutes, having created just one chance and taken just two touches in the Oxford box. Brown, meanwhile, enjoyed an excellent game and ended the afternoon without being dribbled past once and with 15 clearances to his name as his side kept an impressive clean sheet.
Praised for his “fantastic attitude” by former Oxford boss Liam Manning last season, Brown may now have done enough to earn a big move this summer.