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Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts said all the right things after one of the more bizarre incidents in World Series history took place at Yankee Stadium in Game 4. And really, he didn't say all that much after some overzealous fans manhandled him in equal parts comedic and troubling fashion.

“When it comes to the person and play, it doesn’t matter," Betts told reporters after the Dodgers lost Game 4, "We lost. It’s irrelevant. I’m fine, he’s fine. Everything’s cool. We lost the game, that’s what I’m kind of focused on. We got to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow."

After helping Los Angeles make history by becoming the first team to claw back from a five-run deficit to clinch a World Series crown, Betts was asked by FOX's David Ortiz about the incident and could finally speak freely.

'That was wild, man," Betts said. "That was really wild. I’ve never experienced anything like that. I was telling my wife, that was like the second time in my life I’ve ever wanted to fight someone. I get it, man. I get it. I don’t know if he was trying to get the ball, I don’t know what he was really trying to do but he had to do what he had to do and it is what it is."

Winning is the best because no one can say anything about it and you can finally say how you really feel. Betts wanting to respond in the moment highlights just how ridicuous the situation was. These two fans were—and still are—being treated as fun new celebrities whereas Betts would have had his career altered forever had he grabbed them back. And that's why it was so ridiculous it took so long for adults in the room to come out and say they wouldn't be welcomed back for Game 5.

All is well that ends well, though. Betts is a champion and the interferers get to be on podcasts. A win-win for all involved, except the Yankees.

Liverpool are reportedly prepared to initiate contract talks with Dominik Szoboszlai, as the club looks to secure the future of the Hungarian. It has been revealed that Arne Slot is eager to tie down the playmaker, alongside teammate Ryan Gravenberch, with the Reds preparing for the long haul.

• Liverpool ready to secure Szoboszlai’s future

  According to Liverpool are preparing to open formal negotiations with Szoboszlai over a new long-term contract. Despite Liverpool’s recent inconsistencies, Szoboszlai has maintained his performance levels and been a benchmark of quality and determination. While summer signing Florian Wirtz continues to struggle, Szoboszlai has started every Premier League and Champions League game this season to cement himself as a vital cog in Slot’s evolving midfield system. 

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  Szoboszlai contract update from Romano

  Romano confirmed on Friday evening that Liverpool have begun early talks over a new deal. Writing on X, he said: "Liverpool have started talks over new deal with Dominik Szoboszlai, after exclusive story 2 weeks ago. The plan was clear: Szobo and Gravenberch to discuss new contracts soon, as talks started with the Hungarian. Club super happy + top performances."

  Szoboszlai and Gravenberch are currently believed to earn around £270,000 a week between them, with both contracts running until 2028. The new deal is expected to extend those terms further by a couple of years and also bring a significant pay rise for both.

• Gravenberch’s rise from undesirable to undeniable

  Gravenberch’s development has been equally impressive. The Dutchman arrived from Bayern Munich for £40m ($53m) and, after a slow start, he has quietly established himself as one of the team’s most reliable performers. The 22-year-old has contributed three goals and two assists in 11 appearances, and he is regarded as one of the most improved players under Slot’s guidance. 

  Meanwhile, Szoboszlai’s performance in Liverpool’s recent 1-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid was hailed by the fans. He put in a brilliant shift while operating as the engine of Slot’s side, and his teammate Virgil van Dijk reserved high praise as he brought out his best against one of Europe’s toughest opponents. 

  "What you see is what you get from Dom," Van Dijk told reporters. "He is very important. The energy he brings on the pitch is incredible and the quality that he has is outstanding. Like you said, he is learning each and every game and he is developing into the player we all feel like he could be. He is already showing that for the country he is playing for and it is about keeping on doing it for the rest of the season. So far he has had a great start to the season and he has to keep going. Keep your head down and keep performing."

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  Several contract decisions lined up at Liverpool

  Slot’s new-look midfield has been a work in progress, but the trio of Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister has provided a dynamic foundation. All three are expected to be tied down with fresh deals to fend away suitors, with the Argentine already linked with a move to Real Madrid. This approach is part of a wider strategic overhaul at Anfield as they are prioritising locking down key talents early rather than risking future contract stand-offs; a lesson that they learnt in a bitter way by losing Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid for just £10m before the Club World Cup. 

  Beyond the midfield, Liverpool have other pressing contract matters to resolve. Centre-back Ibrahima Konate and vice-captain Andy Robertson are both entering the final year of their current deals. Discussions with Konate are understood to be ongoing, while Robertson’s future remains uncertain as the club weigh their long-term options.

  After a brief, turbulent period under Slot, they have begun to find their rhythm again. Liverpool currently sit third in the Premier League table with 18 points from their first 10 matches. They are seven adrift of leaders Arsenal, but within striking distance as the season enters a crucial phase before the festive period. Next up is a monumental clash with Manchester City at the Etihad. Szoboszlai is certain to feature, and his tireless presence coupled with his creative force, will once again be key to Liverpool’s hopes.

The club might still be down in the Premier League relegation zone, but there is some renewed optimism around West Ham United at the moment.

New boss Nuno Espírito Santo has only been in the dugout a few weeks and already seems to be making an impact.

The fightback away to Everton is just one, and he has also clearly made the decision that James Ward-Prowse is no longer needed.

The Englishman might not be the only one on borrowed time, though.

Ward-Prowse's West Ham career is finished

When West Ham splashed around £30m to sign Ward-Prowse from Southampton in the summer of 2023, there was a fair bit of excitement among the fanbase, and understandably so.

After all, here was a massively experienced Premier League star who had played for England and was, at the time, arguably the best set-piece taker in the country, so much so that there were constant comparisons between his record and David Beckham’s.

However, while there were certainly positives from his first season in East London, notably his final tally of seven goals and 12 assists in 51 games, things began to go wrong last season, as new boss Julen Lopetegui sent him on what was supposed to be a season-long loan to Nottingham Forest.

Yet, with the then-Forest boss Nuno clearly not fancying the Englishman, he returned to the capital in February of this year with just ten appearances for the Tricky Trees under his belt.

Things would only get worse from there, as while Graham Potter seemed intent on playing the 30-year-old as often as possible, it was crystal clear that he was no longer up to the job.

By the start of this season, the Portsmouth-born star wasn’t remotely effective at the defensive side of the game and found it increasingly difficult to create any attacking chances for the side.

So when Nuno was appointed, it felt like a matter of when and not if the 11-capped ace was frozen out of the squad, and it didn’t take long at all, with the Portuguese coach leaving him out of his first squad entirely.

It’s now clear that Ward-Prowse will have to leave the club in January if he wants to play a significant amount of football this season, and another West Ham player could face a similar situation if he does not improve quickly.

The next West Ham star who could get the Ward-Prowse treatment

There are, unfortunately, a few West Ham players who should probably get the Ward-Prowse treatment, like Niclas Füllkrug when he’s fit again and maybe even Mads Hermansen.

Chalkboard

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

However, as things stand, the player who looks most likely to be frozen out of the squad over the coming months is Jean-Clair Todibo.

Similar to the Englishman, there was plenty of excitement in the fanbase when it was announced that the Frenchman would be moving to the London Stadium on loan with an option to buy, as he was seen as a star in the making by many.

In fact, respected talent Scout Jacek Kulig went as far as describing the former OGC Nice gem as the “complete package” and “one of the most underrated CBs in Europe” at one point.

However, the Hammers faithful haven’t really been able to see that player.

Even though his talent is undeniable, he made just 29 appearances across all competitions last season, and this year, he’s only made three, totalling 213 minutes.

Worse yet, while some of those absences have been down to fitness issues, there have been reports of him having a poor attitude in training and around the club.

This would explain the recent instances of Nuno taking him out of the squads entirely, as he did with Ward-Prowse.

Ultimately, with Todibo still being just 25, there is time for him to turn things around. However, considering how much football he missed last season and the fact that he was recently dropped from the team, the most likely conclusion is that he will leave in January.

Nuno can fix Fullkrug blow by starting "electric" West Ham gem in new role

The West Ham United ace could be the perfect solution to Nuno’s Fullkrug problem.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Oct 17, 2025

Jonas Urbig has brushed aside any talk of anxiety over Manuel Neuer’s Bayern Munich future, insisting he is focused on developing under Vincent Kompany’s guidance. The 22-year-old goalkeeper will start against boyhood club Koln in the DFB-Pokal this week, determined to prove he belongs at Germany’s biggest club while learning from one of the best.

• 'I'm not worried about anything' – Urbig on Neuer and his future

  The 39-year-old Neuer's future remains uncertain, with many expecting him to retire at the end of the season when his contract expires. However, recent reports claim Bayern may open talks about a possible extension at the end of the year. Both the club and the veteran goalkeeper are reportedly open to continuing their iconic partnership for another 12 months, with the possibility of Neuer staying at the Allianz Arena until 2027.

  Urbig joined Bayern last winter as part of a long-term plan by the club to groom a successor for Neuer. While Sven Ulreich remains an able backup, Bayern’s coaching staff view Urbig as the natural heir to the No.1 jersey, whenever Neuer decides to step aside.

  The speculation around Neuer's future suggests he may have to wait even longer before he fully takes over as the undisputed No. 1, but the 22-year-old is not concerned. 

  “These are things I don't really concern myself with,” he told . “Because it's not my place to comment on the decisions Manu makes, or the club makes. I concentrate on the day-to-day work with Manu, the goalkeeping team, and the squad.”

  For Urbig, competition with one of football’s greatest ever goalkeepers is an opportunity, not a burden. “Our relationship is good; we work well together,” he added. “It’s important to me to emphasise that we have a good relationship within the entire goalkeeping team. Manuel and Sven simply have an incredible amount of experience, which I can learn a lot from.”

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  Urbig returns home for special cup clash

  It’s a homecoming like no other for the German prodigy Urbig, who will line up against his former club Koln in the second round of the DFB-Pokal this week. With Neuer suspended for the tie, Urbig will again take his place between the posts, a moment that carries personal and professional meaning in equal measure.

  After starring in Bayern’s 3-0 win at Borussia Monchengladbach, Urbig now heads into a midweek showdown at RheinEnergieStadion, where his footballing journey began. “I’m looking forward to the game, that’s for sure, even if I wasn’t specifically hoping for Koln as my opponent,” he told ahead of the clash. “I followed the draw completely neutrally.”

  The 22-year-old smiled broadly after the Gladbach win, calling it “a small derby victory” because of his past ties to Koln. “For me as a former Koln player, it was a small derby win today,” he said. Now, he’s eager to carry that energy into a match that could define his growing Bayern career.

• Kompany's influence and Urbig's development

  Urbig’s adaptation at Bayern has been swift, helped by the influence of boss Kompany, as the Belgian has already impressed many within the dressing room, and Urbig is no exception. “He’s a truly great coach and a great person,” the young keeper said. “You can tell he wants to make every player better. He takes everyone along, and everyone feels included.”

  Kompany’s new contract until 2029 signals Bayern’s belief in his project. For Urbig, it’s a perfect environment to grow under a coach who values unity and structure. “You can tell that he also has great experiences as a player and celebrated great successes at Manchester City. He has a very good connection with the team,” he explained.

  That trust has already translated into chances, as Kompany has rotated Neuer strategically this season, ensuring Urbig gains valuable game time in both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. His clean sheet against Gladbach showcased composure beyond his years, something Bayern see as key for the next generation of leadership at the club.

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  Urbig enjoying training with Harry Kane

  Urbig says he is thriving in Bavaria and says training alongside elite players like superstar Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala has given him a daily education in excellence.

  "Harry Kane is currently beating his own personal bests with his performance,” he noted. “We can learn a lot from that, how good and precise he is in finishing.”

  All eyes will now be on shot stopper as Bayern travel to Cologne to face his former team. “They have a good team, a good coach. We’re preparing very professionally because they will demand everything of us,” he said.

  Bayern have made a flawless start to the season under Kompany, winning all of their competitive games. But their DFB-Pokal form has lagged in recent years, the German champions have not lifted the trophy since 2020. As they aim to end that drought, Urbig could play a defining role in a campaign where every performance counts.

Things have gone a bit mad at Chelsea since Todd Boehly completed his £2.45 billion takeover back in 2022. The Blues currently have a whopping estimated annual payroll of £164,216,000, with the average Blues player earning more than £4.5m per season.

A clear out in the summer helped things a bit, as the likes of Noni Madueke, Joao Felix, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Ben Chilwell headed for the exits, however, the Blues still spent more than £250m on new signings for Enzo Maresca.

Football FanCast has ranked every Chelsea player in the first-team squad in order from highest to lowest in terms of wages for the 2025/26 season, with the help of Capology.

Disclaimer – only the club and the players themselves truly know their wages, so take each of these figures as you will.

Here's a detailed look at the top 10 Chelsea earners…

10

Tosin Adarabioyo

£120,000 per week

After securing the services of Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham in 2024, Chelsea were able to offer the defender a big contract.

Those at Stamford Bridge handed Adarabioyo a four-year deal on more than £6m a year, and he has gone on to become a regualr under Maresca.

9

Joao Pedro

£125,000 per week

Chelsea splashed the cash on Joao Pedro early in the 2025 summer transfer window, with the Brazilian even able to jet out to the USA and play a part in the Blues’ Club World Cup triumph.

Pedro scored some important goals at the CWC and cost an initial £55m from Brighton.

8

Cole Palmer

£130,000 per week

Cole Palmer has been Chelsea’s standout signing under Boehly, going from strength to strength at Stamford Bridge after struggling to break into Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side.

Some may have questioned the Blues for paying £40m to sign Palmer, but he’s been the star man and was rewarded with a new extension to his £130,000 per week deal through until 2033 last year.

7

Moises Caicedo

£150,000 per week

Moises Caicedo is Chelsea’s second most expensive signing of all time after they pipped Liverpool to a deal back in 2023.

Arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion in a transfer worth a whopping €116m, Caicedo looks set to play an important role over the coming years as he looks to justify that price tag.

6

Pedro Neto

£160,000 per week

Another big-money signing, Pedro Neto swapped Wolverhampton Wanderers for Chelsea in Maresca’s first transfer window to add yet another attacking star to the Blues’ ranks.

He starred at Molineux and was arguably their most important player when fit, and he’s been a reliable performer so far in London.

5

Marc Cucurella

£175,000 per week

Left-back Marc Cucurella is next on the list, picking up £175,000 per week. The Spaniard was another to swap Brighton for Chelsea and has had his ups and downs in west London.

He now appears to be first choice under Maresca, though, so he’ll be hoping to become one of the first names on the teamsheet while under contract.

4

Enzo Fernandez

£180,000 per week

Chelsea’s club record signing, Enzo Fernandez is only the fourth highest-paid player at Stamford Bridge, something which may surprise some.

The Blues did fork out a whopping €121m for the Argentine’s services from Benfica, and now, they’ll be hoping Fernandez and Caicedo can star in midfield over the coming years.

3

Wesley Fofana

£200,000 per week

On £200,000 per week is central defender in Wesley Fofana. Signed from Leicester City in 2022, Fofana has also had his injury issues at Stamford Bridge.

He managed just 29 Premier League appearances across his first two seasons with the Blues.

2

Reece James

£250,000 per week

Club captain Reece James picks up £250,000 per week. The right-back has struggled to stay fit in recent seasons but is under contract until 2028.

His injury history appears to be a cause for concern for the Blues, so it’ll be interesting to see what they do with one of their top earners if he can’t remain fit.

1

Raheem Sterling

£325,000 per week

Top of the charts is Raheem Sterling, who actually isn’t in Maresca’s first-team plans at Stamford Bridge. The winger spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Arsenal, however, the Gunners didn’t want to make a move permanent.

Sterling is still under contract until 2027, picking up just under £17m a season with the Blues.

Am I crazy to be fading the winningest team in baseball at home?  Maybe. But, by now, you know my style, so stay with me for a bit. Our bankroll has been growing. 

Yes, the Yankees are the best team in baseball right now and the only team with 50 wins. They will also be sending Nestor Cortes to the mound, and he's been stellar at home.   When pitching at home this season, Cortes has a mere 1.77 ERA. That's dominant.  

Juan Soto is back in the lineup, and Aaron Judge is doing Aaron Judge things. He's batting .300 with 26 home runs, which is on pace to match and possibly eclipse his record-setting 62 home run MVP season.   

Barcelona fell five points behind Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as they slid to a 2-1 defeat in Sunday's Clasico. Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham proved the difference for Los Blancos as Lamine Yamal failed to produce much of note at the other end for the injury-hit Blaugrana.

Madrid started quickly, and thought they had won a penalty when Vinicius Jr went down in the box under pressure from Lamine Yamal, only for the VAR to intervene. The officials were in the spotlight soon after, too, as Mbappe struck from distance after Fermin Lopez lost the ball inside his own half, but the Madrid striker was found to be fractionally offside.

Mbappe eventually broke the deadlock when he ran onto Bellingham's superb through-ball and finished expertly, and Wojciech Szczesny then had to be at his best to keep out efforts from Mbappe and Dean Huijsen. Those saves kept Barca in the game, and they capitalised when Arda Guler surrendered possession on the edge of the Madrid box and Marcus Rashford squared for Fermin to equalise.

Madrid got themselves back in front before half-time when Bellingham tapped in from Eder Militao's header across the penalty area, and had the opportunity to double their advantage shortly after the break when Eric Garcia was punished for a handball in the penalty area, only for Szczesny to save Mbappe's spot-kick.

Barca huffed and puffed in search of a second equaliser, but their lack of options off the bench was exposed as they failed to create much of note to test Thibaut Courtois, and their frustrations were summed up in stoppage time when Pedri earned himself a second yellow card.

GOAL rates Barca's players from Santiago Bernabeu…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Wojciech Szczesny (7/10):

  Made a couple of good parries in the first half before saving brilliantly from Mbappe's penalty. Had no chance with either goal.

  Jules Kounde (4/10):

  Ripped to shreds by Vinicius on more than one occasion and failed to offer Yamal the support he needed to thrive in attack.

  Pau Cubarsi (5/10):

  Allowed Mbappe to run off the back of him for the opening goal. Made a couple of blocks but still has work to do against elite-level forwards.

  Eric Garcia (5/10):

  Enjoyed his best moments when making forays forward from centre-back. Gave away the penalty, though it was a very harsh handball decision.

  Alejandro Balde (5/10):

  Made some good forward runs but wasn't always found. Perhaps should have done better up against Militao for the second goal.

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  Midfield

  Frenkie de Jong (4/10):

  Kept things too simple in possession while he failed to keep track of Bellingham when out of it, most notably when he lost the Madrid midfielder as he scored the second goal.

  Pedri (5/10):

  Created space for himself at times with quick feet and did well to rob Guler for the Barca equaliser. Fooled by Bellingham in the build-up to the opener and was outmuscled by his opposite number on occasion, too. Grew more and more frustrated before getting himself sent off for a second yellow in stoppage time.

  Fermin Lopez (5/10):

  In the right place to score the equaliser but lacked conviction when he was presented with other opportunities. Lucky that Mbappe strayed marginally offside after he carelessly lost possession early on.

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  Attack

  Lamine Yamal (3/10):

  Miles off his best as almost everything he tried didn't come off. His passing and shooting was wayward throughout while he left Kounde isolated up against Vinicius in defence.

  Ferran Torres (3/10):

  Given the chance to lead the line but was nowhere near the level required. Replaced by holding midfielder Casado with Barca chasing a goal, which summed up his lack of threat.

  Marcus Rashford (6/10):

  Looked the most dangerous of Barca's attackers as his pace caused panic at times, which he showed good composure to assist Fermin.

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  Subs & Manager

  Ronald Araujo (6/10):

  Made a couple of important blocks while being left exposed at the back as Barca chased an equaliser.

  Marc Casado (5/10):

  One of the few senior players who Flick could throw on, but he didn't offer much.

  Roony Bardghji (N/A):

  Thrown on in the final 10 minutes to boost the attacking numbers.

  Gerard Martin (N/A):

  On in stoppage time.

  Hansi Flick (5/10):

  His options are admittedly limited, but he may have been better served using Ferran off the bench as a game-changer given his lack of impact. Title defence already looks in real jeopardy.

In a major blow after such an impressive start to their Premier League return, Sunderland are now set to be without one of their main summer signings for an extended period.

Le Bris praises "composed" Sunderland

After watching on as Reinildo Mandava received his marching orders in the first-half, Sunderland then gave themselves an uphill battle when they conceded Aston Villa’s first Premier League goal of the season through Matty Cash. Under the circumstances, it looked as though the Black Cats were destined for their first home defeat of the season.

There’s been something special about the newly promoted sides so far, however. Unlike the six before them in the previous two campaigns, Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland have all shown that much-needed resiliency. And that was on show at the Stadium of Light before Wilson Isidor found an unlikely equaliser for his side to salvage a draw against Aston Villa.

To no surprise, Regis Le Bris was full of praise for his side’s character following a well-earned point, telling reporters: “It’s a good point against a strong team, especially with 10 men for the majority of the game.

“We had two different parts in this game. I think we started well 11 against 11, we were in our game plan, and the red card changed the dynamic of the game, but we stayed composed. It became a different game with a low block, and it was clear that our main chances would come from set pieces.”

That said, it’s not all good news for Sunderland. Since salvaging a point against Villa, an injury update has been provided on Habib Diarra, who missed the game entirely last weekend.

How long Diarra is likely to miss for Sunderland

As reported by Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, Diarra has now undergone surgery on a groin injury and is expected to be out of action for Sunderland until December. The summer arrival picked up the injury in training last Friday and has since been handed frustrating news.

Out until December, Diarra is likely to miss a total of eight games and could make his return against Liverpool at Anfield (December 3) at the beginning of a hectic month for the Black Cats.

Meanwhile, in the next month or so, the midfielder is likely to miss Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Chelsea, Everton, Arsenal, Fulham and Bournemouth.

Sunderland struck gold on “warrior" now worth more than Mukiele & Isidor

Sunderland have struck absolute gold on this outstanding star, who is worth more than both Nordi Mukiele and Wilson Isidor.

By
Kelan Sarson

Sep 22, 2025

Dubbed a “complete midfielder” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Sunderland will need plenty of patience before they can enjoy Diarra’s best form. With AFCON taking place in January too, they may have to wait even longer than expected for their summer signing to make his mark.

Glasgow Rangers must find a way to get back on top in Scottish football after they missed out on the Premiership title for the fourth season running.

The Light Blues will finish second once again in the top-flight and held the champions to a 1-1 draw at Ibrox in the last Old Firm clash of the campaign on Sunday.

Cyriel Dessers, as you can see in the clip above, scored the only goal of the game for the Light Blues, but it was not a perfect performance by the Nigeria international.

Cyriel Dessers' performance against Celtic

The experienced centre-forward did incredibly well for his goal with a good run and touch to take Mohammed Diomande’s pass in and then showed strength to hold off Liam Scales before burying his finish past Viljami Sinisalo.

Unfortunately, though, Dessers did not show that strength for much of the game, as he lost all four of his ground duels and lost four of his five aerial battles.

The former Cremonese striker also completed just 53% (7/13) of his attempted passes in the match, which means that the forward struggled out of possession and with the ball at his feet outside of his goal.

Chalkboard

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

One player who was worse than the goalscorer, though, was attacking midfielder Nedim Bajrami, who should be ruthlessly ditched by the 49ers this summer.

Why Nedim Bajrami should be sold

The Albania international, who joined the club from Sassuolo last summer, was selected to start as part of the attacking set-up against the Hoops and was even worse than Dessers.

Barry Ferguson’s number nine, at least, scored the only goal of the game for the Light Blues to make up for the rest of his disappointing display. Whereas, Bajrami made little to no impact at the top end of the pitch in his time on the field.

As you can see in the table above, the Albanian forward did not create any chances or take any shots as Sinisalo’s goal, but did show some good fight to win all three of his duels.

This shows that he was even worse than Dessers because the Nigeria international made a telling contribution in front of goal and created one chance for the team, whilst the ex-Serie B ace offered nothing in that respect.

Ultimately, Bajrami is an attacking player who should be in the team to make things happen in the final third, and he has not done that consistently enough this season.

The 26-year-old flop has scored three goals and provided one assist in 38 appearances in the Premiership and the Europa League combined this term, including just two goals in 27 league matches for the club.

It is now down to the incoming owners and the new manager to ruthlessly move Bajrami on in the summer transfer window, after what has been an underwhelming debut season at Ibrox, because he has not proven that the quality is there for him to be a key player moving forward.

Their own Arne Engels: Rangers could land a "really exciting" signing

As Rangers look to strengthen this summer, could they make a loan move for a player who is being compared to Celtic’s Arne Engels?

By
Ben Gray

May 4, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have seemingly been offered the chance to sign a noteworthy Chelsea player this summer, and he could prove a very useful addition for Ange Postecoglou or his potential replacement next season.

Tottenham transfer plans amid Ange Postecoglou uncertainty

Spurs are on course for their worst ever Premier League season, resulting in uncertainty surrounding Postecoglou’s long-term future, and reports suggest the former Celtic boss could be shown his P45 regardless of their campaign in Europe (The Telegraph).

Tottenham: Levy now plotting surprise bid for "underrated" West Ham player

It would be a real head-turner.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 30, 2025

A succession of managerial candidates have been tipped to potentially succeed Postecoglou, but as technical director Johan Lange and Daniel Levy assess Spurs’ options in that regard, they must also begin preparations for the summer transfer window.

Tottenham are reportedly in the market for a forward, and have even been linked with a surprise move for West Ham star Jarrod Bowen this week.

Levy is apparently willing to bid around £51 million to sign Bowen for Spurs, even if this may not be anywhere near enough, but the England international isn’t their only rival player to be mentioned as a possible incoming in the last few days.

Christopher Nkunku holds talks to join Tottenham via agents

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking to The Boot Room, £195,000-per-week Chelsea winger Christopher Nkunku is actively looking to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

The Frenchman, who’s actually scored 14 goals in all competitions this season, verbally agreed terms over a move to Bayern Munich in January (Florian Plettenberg), and looks set to be one of the many men sold or loaned out by Enzo Maresca’s side when the window reopens.

Bailey writes that, while a move to Europe is more likely, Nkunku’s camp have reached out for talks with Tottenham recently, as the ex-RB Leipzig sensation’s representatives attempt to offer him to a host of clubs.

“I am told that a move to Europe is the most likely option – but his people are touching base with clubs in England,” said Bailey.

“Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Tottenham have all been spoken to in the past few months. Chelsea want to recoup as much of their plus £50m outlay, but that looks difficult at this juncture.

“I am told the player is very happy in London, and so would a move to a Arsenal or Tottenham appeal? I believe it would but as it stands those options are not advanced – but Arsenal and Spurs both have an historic interest in the player. Both want a wide forward, so you could see the fit.

“There is interest back in Germany – Bayern Munich like him, a new deal for Leroy Sane doesn’t rule out them making a move but it is not pressing. Former club RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen also admire him.”

The versatile 27-year-old has displayed real quality on occasion since his switch to London, and was a revelation in the Bundesliga. However, this could prove to be a costly operation, especially for a price around £50 million, not to mention his lofty salary.

With Spurs in for a ‘sell to buy’ summer, as per The Telegraph, these factors may well deter Levy.