One high-profile manager has hinted that he is open to managing Rangers in the future, as those at Ibrox search for Philippe Clement’s long-term successor.
Rangers manager rumours
The Gers decided to bring in former captain Barry Ferguson until the end of the season after parting ways with the Belgian.
However, in the Scottish Premiership, things didn’t go to plan for Ferguson in his first game in charge at Ibrox last weekend. Ferguson’s side lost to Motherwell, however, the ex-skipper can improve his chances of getting the Rangers job on a full-time basis with a positive result against Celtic next weekend.
Top target: 49ers and Rangers now want "excellent" 4-4-2 manager at Ibrox
He’s looking for a job.
1 ByCharlie Smith Mar 5, 2025
It isn’t just Ferguson who has been mentioned as a target for Rangers, with likely new owners the 49ers Enterprises on the manager hunt after agreeing a deal in principle to own the Scottish giants.
Derek McInnes of Kilmarnock and former Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner were two early names mentioned with the long-term Ibrox vacancy, and recently, it has been claimed that Rangers and the 49ers have made Rafael Benitez the preferred managerial target.
The Spaniard has been out of work for 12 months now after leaving Celta Vigo but is keen to return to the dugout, and another experienced name has also hinted at a move to Scotland, but not immediately.
Mourinho hints at managing Rangers in future
Rangers are currently halfway through their Europa League last 16 tie with Fenerbahce, with Ferguson coming up against iconic manager Jose Mourinho.
During the first leg in Turkey, Ferguson got the better of Mourinho, with Rangers taking a 3-1 advantage into the second leg after an opening goal from Cyriel Dessers and a brace from Vaclav Cerny.
The former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Man Utd boss was asked about the chances of managing in Scotland in the future, and appeared to be open to a move down the line, saying ‘why not?’
Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce.
“In this moment, no, because I have a job. It’s a job that motivates me and demands loyalty. But why not in the future? People can say the Scottish league is a league of two teams, but it is a league of passion. Passion in football is everything.
“To play in empty stadiums and competitions where there is not that fire of the passion does not make any sense.
“Celtic and Rangers are two big clubs with incredible history also in Europe. I have lots of respect. They are big clubs with big fan bases, expectations. Celtic has a fantastic coach in Brendan [Rodgers]. Rangers has Ferguson now and I am not searching for a new job.”
Games
1,177
Wins
730
Draws
238
Losses
209
Goals scored
2,299
Goals conceded
1,087
Trophies
26
Mourinho, who plays a 3-5-2 system and has been called “outstanding”, currently has Fenerbahce second in the Super Lig, four points behind Galatasaray. He also has a 100% record against Rangers’ rivals, Celtic, beating them in the 2003 UEFA Cup final with FC Porto to win his first European trophy.
The two-time Champions League winner was only appointed last summer and has a contract until 2026, but a move down the line to Glasgow could be one to watch.
Shabnim Ismail bowled Welsh Fire to a sensational victory with a hat-trick in the last three balls of the match to secure a three-run Women’s Hundred win over Birmingham Phoenix at Edgbaston.Ismail’s ice-cool display prevented the home side scoring any of the four runs they needed to win from the last three balls, the South Africa international finishing with 3 for 31 as Phoenix, chasing 138, ended on 134 for 4 to suffer a heartbreaking defeat.Tammy Beaumont’s stylish 59 from 40 balls lifted Fire to 137 for 7 but Phoenix looked in command of the chase as Tess Flintoff, with 55 off 45, and Amy Jones, who was unbeaten on 48 off 34, adding 93 in 67 balls.But Ismail’s brilliant hat-trick leaves the Birmingham side with a lot of work to do to climb into the qualification race after a staccato first half of the campaign has brought two defeats and two washouts.Phoenix chose to bowl but took 48 balls to break through as openers Beaumont and Hayley Matthews added 72 before the latter cut Hannah Baker to point.Beaumont batted imperiously, dancing down the track to lift a gorgeous straight six off Katie Levick on the way to a 36-ball half-century. As well as the six, the captain struck nine fours but perished in pursuit of a tenth which she lifted Flintoff to deep mid-wicket, where Erin Burns took a fine catch stooping low to her right.As Phoenix began to reel in the scoring rate, Laura Harris fell lbw, reverse-sweeping Emily Arlott. Sophia Dunkley (25 off 19 balls) stoked the Fire again with six over mid-wicket off Arlott but Phoenix built pressure and caught well in the closing sets.Needing to pull off the sixth-biggest chase in Women’s Hundred history, Phoenix were positively launched by Sophie Devine’s 29 from 19 balls. Her charge was ended by Alex Griffiths’ first ball, a perfect, inswinging yorker, but Jones was fluent from the moment she reached the crease.Flintoff and Jones took their side into the last 20 balls with 27 needed but boundaries were few and Griffiths bowled beautifully to start tilting the pressure back on the home side. It came down to nine needed from the last five balls, delivered by Ismail.A glorious cover-driven four for Flintoff brought it down to four from three, but Ismail bowled the opener next ball, had Burns caught at short third and then bowled Issy Wong to seal the most memorable of wins.”I was aiming to go yorker length and just try to bowl dot balls,” Ismail said. “The yorkers didn’t really come out today but it always does damage to take wickets so it worked out well.”I had been in that position before so it was just a case of staying calm. There were no nerves from me, as I was previously in a situation like that. I didn’t want my nerves to get the better of me. I had to stay calm and I even told the captain to just stay calm. I said to her, ‘we’re going to win this game, don’t worry – I’ve got this’.”
da fazobetai： Didier Drogba’s legacy at Chelsea is the stuff of legend.
da fezbet： The Ivorian striker was the beating heart of the Blues’ golden era, a colossus who combined power, skill and an unparalleled ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most, most notably in the 2012 Champions League final, where his unforgettable performance helped the Blues lift the trophy for the first time.
A decade after his departure, Chelsea are still yearning for a successor capable of replicating his impact on and off the pitch.
The club has seen a revolving door of strikers in the post-Drogba era, and while some such as Diego Costa enjoyed solid careers at Stamford Bridge, no one has been able to fully step into the legendary striker’s shoes.
From young prodigies already making their mark in west London to established European stars, we look at five players we think have the potential to take up Drogba’s mantle at Stamford Bridge.
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ByBarney Lane Feb 4, 2025 1 Nicolas Jackson Chelsea
Nicolas Jackson, who Chelsea signed from Villarreal in the summer of 2023, has plenty in common with Drogba. His physical presence and work rate mirror that of Drogba’s, while his ability to link up the play is perhaps even better than the Ivorian’s. He also has great pace and clever movement.
However, where he comes up short when compared to Drogba is his finishing. Though he’s far improved this term under Enzo Maresca, he still wastes too many big chances, often needing two or three clear opportunities to get his name on the scoresheet.
Since moving to Chelsea, Jackson has scored 23 Premier League goals, but also missed a whopping 39 big chances in his short Blues career so far – exactly triple the amount Drogba missed since this was recorded by the Premier League.
That being said, Jackson is still just 23 years old, and minus his hit-and-miss finishing, his impressive performances at his peak suggest he’s capable of leading the line at Stamford Bridge for years to come. However, consistency and improved displays in front of goal will determine if he reaches Drogba’s heights.
2 Shim Mheuka Chelsea
Shim Mheuka has rapidly ascended through Chelsea’s academy ranks since joining the club from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022.
During the 2023/24 season, he regularly featured for the Under-18s despite still being a schoolboy, netting an impressive 12 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions, including a memorable outing at Stamford Bridge in the Under-18 Premier League national final against Manchester United.
Mheuka also played a pivotal role for England in the European Under-17 Championship last summer, scoring in their opening match against Spain. More recently, he marked his first call-up to the Under-19s in style, scoring against France and the Netherlands.
Now 17, Mheuka’s powerful frame, intelligent movement, and superb finishing abilities – all qualities Drogba showcased – have already caught the attention of Maresca, with the Italian handing him his first-team debut in a 3-1 win over Astana in the Conference League back in December.
There is no doubting that he has a bright future in west London, and given Drogba was 26 when he signed for Chelsea, there is plenty of time for Mheuka to prove he has what it takes to grow into a Drogba-esque talent.
3 Liam Delap Ipswich Town
Liam Delap has been one of the Premier League’s best strikers this season. Big, strong and with a lethal eye for goal, the forward has scored 10 goals in the top flight for newly promoted Ipswich Town and has proven to be a real handful for some of the top flight’s best defenders.
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Already linked with a move to Chelsea, Maresca, who coached him as a youngster during his time in Manchester City’s youth ranks, is a big admirer.
“Liam is a fantastic player, and also for his age,” said Maresca back in December before Chelsea were beaten 2-0 by Ipswich, a game in which Delap scored the opening goal. “I think we spent one year together, and he scored 22 to 24 goals. He is a very good striker.
“England have many good players, many good strikers,” he added. “He’s working hard off the ball and on the ball, understands the game and can score goals. I think he can be an important player for England.” For Chelsea too, maybe?
4 Victor Osimhen Galatasaray/Napoli
Victor Osimhen is perhaps the closest current player to Drogba in terms of style and impact.
The Nigerian forward’s scoring record at Napoli is certainly reminiscent of Drogba, not to mention continuing his streak in front of goal in a Galatasaray shirt, which is something the Ivorian did himself in between his Chelsea spells.
Osimhen came close to joining Chelsea in the summer, but the deal fell through prior to his loan switch to Istanbul.
Whilst there, he has again shown why he’s one of the deadliest strikers in world football, scoring 20 goals in 27 games, including two against Tottenham in the Europa League, which would already make him something of a Chelsea hero to some.
5 Benjamin Sesko RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is one of Europe’s most exciting young strikers and has often been compared to Erling Haaland due to his physical attributes and playing style. Rather crucially, he has also been mentioned in the same breath as Chelsea star Drogba.
The Slovenian forward stands at 6 foot 4, making him a real handful for defenders when the ball is crossed into the box. Not only is he big, but he’s also a terrific header of the ball. Since moving to Leipzig in 2023, the 21-year-old has scored seven headed goals.
Drogba, meanwhile, found the net with his noggin 17 times for Chelsea in the Premier League.
Like Drogba, Sesko has the ability to score from long range, best showcased by his stunning strike against Werder Bremen in January, where he unleashed a powerful drive that nearly shattered the net from 25 yards out.
Reportedly already on Chelsea’s radar, a move to Stamford Bridge could give him the chance to develop into Chelsea’s next dominant striker, potentially following in Drogba’s footsteps.
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Over the years, Leeds United has been the home to numerous attacking talents, many of whom have captured the hearts of the fanbase as a result of their impressive stints at Elland Road.
After joining as a teenager, last season Crysencio Summerville burst into life, playing a huge role under boss Daniel Farke, notching 20 goals and nine assists in his 46 Championship outings.
However, the Whites would be unable to keep hold of him after their failure to secure promotion, joining West Ham United in a £25m deal – banking the club a hefty profit in the process.
Leeds duo Daniel Farke and Crysencio Summerville.
Jack Clarke was another player capable of getting supporters off their seats with his dribbling ability, making just 27 appearances for his boyhood side before making a big-money move to Tottenham Hotspur.
However, fast-forward nearly six years on from the youngster’s move to the North London outfit, Farke’s side currently have one player on loan from the aforementioned side, following in the footsteps of the two players and already being a success in Yorkshire.
Manor Solomon’s stats for Leeds United in 24/25
After the high-profile departure of Summerville during the off-season, it was pivotal that the hierarchy provided Farke with the tools to claim promotion at the second attempt.
They dipped into the market and secured a loan move for winger Manor Solomon from Premier League side Spurs, moving to Elland Road until the end of the current campaign.
The Israeli forward has impressed beyond anyone’s imagination, registering seven goals and seven assists in his 26 league outings, registering the third most contributions of any player in the first-team squad.
Solomon’s efforts in the final third have aided the Whites massively, helping them boast the best-attacking record in the division, subsequently allowing them to sit top of the table with 13 games left.
However, despite his impressive form in Yorkshire, he could’ve been further aided with his efforts had the club kept hold of one player rather than prematurely offloading him.
The player who would’ve been perfect for Solomon
Junior Firpo has been a player who has divided the fanbase in recent years, but when given the opportunity this season, the Spaniard has impressed under Farke for the Whites.
The 28-year-old has registered seven assists in just 20 Championship matches, a phenomenal record for a full-back, but he’s out of contract in the summer, with no more deal yet to be agreed.
As a result, it leaves the club potentially facing a dilemma at left-back, something which they would not have faced had they kept hold of Leif Davis a couple of years ago.
Davis joined the club as an 18-year-old from Morecambe, rapidly developing and making the jump into the first team – featuring twice in the Premier League during the 2020/21 campaign.
However, he would join Bournemouth on loan for the following season, but would not return to Leeds after joining Ipswich Town on a permanent deal ahead of 2022/23.
Since his move to Portman Road, Davis has taken his career to the next level, registering three goals and 14 assists in League One, helping the Tractor Boys secure promotion back to the second tier.
He continued his excellent form under Kieran McKenna last year, with 20 combined goal contributions and helping the club make it back-to-back promotions, preventing the Whites in the process.
The full-back, who’s previously been dubbed “sensational” by journalist Stuart Watson, has seamlessly made the jump into the top flight, producing numerous impressive stats that would’ve aided Solomon in attacking areas.
Games played
24
Goals & assists
3
Shot-creating actions
3.1
Key passes
1.8
Passes into final third
1.2
Crosses completed
4.7
Progressive passes
1.9
Given his meteoric rise to the top of the English game, there must be an ounce of regret from the Whites’ hierarchy in allowing him to depart the club back in 2022.
At the age of just 25, he has the potential to improve further in the years ahead, but unfortunately for the supporters, it’s a case of what could’ve been had they kept hold of the defender.
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Leeds United may have made a mistake in allowing one former star to depart Elland Road.
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker could reportedly leave the BBC early after sharing a social media post with an "anti-semitic" rat emoji.
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MOTD host Lineker in hot water againApologises for sharing social media postPresenter's future at BBC in 'serious doubt'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Lineker "apologised unreservedly" after being criticised for sharing a now-deleted Instagram post about Zionism, from the campaign group Palestine Lobby, that included a rat drawing – something that has historically been used as an "anti-semitic" insult. The situation has led some BBC staff to call for Lineker to be axed from his position.
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Lineker will front the BBC's coverage of the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Crystal Palace on Saturday but The Telegraph reports that any appearance for the corporation beyond that is 'in serious doubt'. The 64-year-old is supposed to continue leading the BBC's Match of the Day show until the end of the season and work with the corporation up until the 2026 World Cup but that may change now.
DID YOU KNOW?
Lineker, who has repeatedly been the source of much controversy in recent years, will be replaced by Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman, and Kelly Cates next season on the Match of the Day show.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?
It remains to be seen what will happen to Lineker, who has presented Match of the Day for 26 years, in the coming days and weeks with the BBC.
Ruben Amorim sung the praises of Mason Mount after his two second-half goals at Old Trafford saw Manchester United through to the Europa League final.
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Mount struck twice as United beat Athletic Club
Stunning strike from near halfway rounded off victory
Amorim praised Mount's hard work
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Mount struck twice to secure a resounding 4-1 victory on the night against Bilbao, after a 3-0 first leg win, with his manager crediting all the hard work the 26-year-old has put in this season, including numerous ice baths and a focus on his diet. Both goals showed class but his second was something special, with shades of David Beckham as Mount struck from almost the half-way line.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Mount has struggled massively with injury at Old Trafford since joining from Chelsea in 2023, making just 42 appearances in almost two seasons. Last night's brace saw the midfielder double his goal tally for the Red Devils, which Amorim will hope is a sign of things to come.
WHAT AMORIM SAID
Amorim said: "I'm so happy for him. He is such a player. He works really hard, he has quality.
"When you see that kind of guy like Mason working hard every day, eating well, having ice baths, when you have this kind of player you just want to help him. He is perfect for this position as he can be a midfielder, but also runs like a winger so I'm really happy for him.
"When you have a full squad you can think about the game. Sometimes we're surviving with people in different positions, but with more options you can change the game and push forwards and these things can help you win games."
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WHAT NEXT FOR MOUNT AND MAN UNITED?
Following goals at Brentford and Bilbao, Mount will look to score for a third successive game when United host West Ham United on Sunday. But the main event of their season is on 21 May, when they will do battle with Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
Arsenal chiefs have just been handed a boost in their pursuit of a forward target, as his club make their stance over a summer sale clear behind-the-scenes.
Premier League title hopes fade for Arsenal after 1-0 West Ham defeat
Mikel Arteta watched on from the sidelines as his Gunners side fell to a 1-0 home defeat against West Ham United on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of a sole strike from Jarrod Bowen, with the result now leaving them 11 points adrift of frontrunners Liverpool.
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Arsenal could close that margin to eight points with their game in hand, but it would arguably take a miracle for Arteta’s side to catch Liverpool in the race now, considering the Merseysiders’ excellent form all season, and the fact we’re now at the business end of the Premier League campaign.
Nottingham Forest (away)
February 26th
Man Utd (away)
March 9th
Chelsea (home)
March 16th
Fulham (home)
April 1st
Everton (away)
April 5th
The north Londoners have been hamstrung by injuries to key attacking players recently, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli unavailable until March, while both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are out for the rest of this season.
Arsenal's KaiHavertzreacts
Arteta could be ruing their missed chance to bring in a top-class forward in the January transfer window as a result, with Arsenal having a low-ball £40 million offer for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins rejected last month (David Ornstein).
Various reports have claimed that Arsenal are targeting a new forward this summer instead, and many high-profile names are being linked at the moment, including Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Juventus forward Dušan Vlahović, Sporting CP number nine Viktor Gyokeres, Eintracht Frankfurt ace Hugo Ekitiké and even ex-Liverpool talisman Roberto Firmino.
Arteta also reportedly wants an alternative to Saka and Martinelli out wide. Indeed, an intriguing name to look out for in this regard is Borussia Dortmund sensation Jamie Gittens.
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens in action
The Englishman, formerly of Chelsea and Man City’s academies, has impressed since moving to the Bundesliga for first-team football. This season, Gittens boasts 11 goals and four assists in all competitions, which has attracted interest from the Premier League’s elite.
Borussia Dortmund tell Arsenal target Jamie Gittens he's free to leave
According to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, Arteta could be free to make a move for the 20-year-old this summer, as Dortmund give the green-light to a potential sale.
As per their information, Dortmund have informed Gittens that they will allow him to leave, and Arsenal could emerge as favourites to secure his signature – ahead of English rival quartet Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Aston Villa.
A return to his homeland also holds appeal to Gittens, with Dortmund setting his price tag at around £70 million.
This comes as another bit of good news for Arsenal, considering other reports suggested Gittens’ price tag was closer to £83 million. The left-winger’s form has been praised by those close to him, with ex-Dortmund head coach Nuri Şahin branding him an “incredible” one-v-one forward.
Keacy Carty’s 87 was the only bright spark in another error-strewn display from West Indies
Madushka Balasuriya07-Jul-2023A second straight ton by Pathum Nissanka and yet another four-for from Maheesh Theekshana headlined a dominant eight-wicket win over West Indies, as Sri Lanka completed a comfortable warm-up for Sunday’s final against Netherlands, in Harare.Set a middling target of 244, Sri Lanka ran it down with little fuss, inclusive of a tournament-best opening stand of 190 between Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne – though both were handed lifelines by an abject West Indian performance in the field. While both would fall before the chase was completed, Nissanka for 104 and Karunaratne for 83, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama closed the game out with 34 balls to spare.For West Indies, the only bright spark was Keacy Carty, whose 96-ball 87 dragged his side to a fighting total, when at one point it seemed like they would become the seventh consecutive side to be skittled for less than 200 runs by Sri Lanka in this tournament.This had not seemed the case when Johnson Charles was flying high during a brisk 36-run opening stand with Brandon King. With Dasun Shanaka opening the bowling alongside Dilshan Madushanka, Charles and King had found the Lankan captain’s gentle pace to their liking. But the early introduction of eventual Player of the Match Theekshana turned the game.King was the first to go, his middle stump disturbed after he went too far across attempting to sweep. Shamarh Brooks then got a faint nick through to the keeper that was confirmed on review, while Shai Hope was trapped in front by one that skidded through off a good length to catch him sitting in his crease.Charles was still going strong at this point, but then the sometimes wayward Matheesha Pathirana grabbed his only scalp, trapping him lbw with one that was quick, straight and kept a touch low from back of a length. Theekshana returned later to leave the West Indies reeling on 155 for 8 when he knocked back Romario Shepherd’s middle stump.Pathum Nissanka scored back-to-back hundreds•ICC via Getty ImagesAt that point, it seemed like West Indies would struggle to reach 40 overs, let alone the full 50, but Carty – aided by the fact he was dropped on 8 – strung together a series of lower-order stands to haul his side into the game, on a pitch that had few demons in it.He first came to the crease at 62 for 4 with Nicholas Pooran already there, but the latter became legspinner Dushan Hemantha’s maiden ODI scalp, holing out at deep midwicket. Hemantha was playing for the rested Wanindu Hasaranga.Carty then put on 41 with Kyle Mayers, before the latter was castled by Sahan Arachchige – yet another debutant, in for Dhananjaya de Silva. Roston Chase shortly after became Hemantha’s second scalp of the game, caught lbw by a ripping googly, before Carty stitched together another defiant stand – this time 32 with Shepherd.Once Shepherd fell, the writing appeared to be on the wall, but Carty guided Kevin Sinclair and Akeal Hossein through stands of 63 and 25 respectively – the former the best of the innings – to lift the total to respectability.The application shown by Carty throughout would serve as an example from an otherwise dire West Indian effort. This was no more apparent than in the field when several chances of varying difficulty were dropped – a recurring theme throughout this tournament – the most glaring of which was by captain Hope himself, who let through a skier, despite having the gloves on.In a game that many might have assumed would have had far more significance when it was pencilled in at the start of the tournament, in the end only served to show the differing trajectories, not just of these two sides, but of West Indies and the Associates as well. When Sri Lanka turn up on Sunday to face the Dutch, they are likely to be in for a far sterner test.
Liverpool may have made contact with a European club over the signing of their “monster in the making” in the January transfer window, with a summer move to Anfield still possible.
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The Reds suffered a rare off day on Sunday afternoon, crashing out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage, following a 1-0 defeat away to Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle.
In the grand scheme of things, the result was no disaster for Liverpool, with Arne Slot ringing the changes at Home Park, ahead of a vital Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening. Still, being eliminated from any competition is never ideal for momentum and confidence.
In terms of Red-related transfer news, the Merseysiders are believed to be pushing to complete the signing of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer. The 27-year-old could be made surplus to requirements at the end of the season, so Slot may look to pounce.
Feyenoord centre-back David Hancko, who Slot knows well from their time working together, has also been linked with a move to Liverpool, being seen as a possible long-term heir to Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence. He has started 20 league games his season, averaging 2.8 clearances and 1.6 aerial duel wins per match.
Liverpool contacted club over defensive signings
According to a new update from Jornal de Noticias [via Sport Witness], Liverpool contacted Benfica over the potential signing of defenders Alvaro Carreras and Tomas Araujo in the January window, although it isn’t specified who the Reds wanted out of the two.
While the Reds were unable to sign the left-back and centre-back, respectively, a summer deal still looks possible for one or the other. Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also mentioned in the report with an interest in either defender.
Alvaro Carreras for Benfica.
A new left-back is essential for Liverpool in the summer, considering Andy Robertson turns 31 soon and Kostas Tsimikas arguably isn’t the long-term answer in that position. In Carreras, the Reds could have an ideal option to bring in, having already become such a key player for Benfica, making 49 appearances to date.
The 21-year-old has a £41.5m release clause in his contract, which seems relatively cheap in the modern game, and football talent scout Jacek Kulig described him as a “monster in the making” recently, further highlighting his talent.
Bournemouth ace Milos Kerkez is the same age and arguably looks like the strongest target, mainly because he already has Premier League experience, but the Benfica man could be right near the top of the list, too.
Meanwhile, centre-back also has to be an area of focus for Liverpool, considering Virgil van Dijk isn’t getting any younger and Ibrahima Konate is injury-prone, and Araujo stands out as an exciting signing.
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The 22-year-old is already an influential figure for Benfica, averaging 2.2 aerial wins per game in the Primeira Liga this season, and completing 86.% of his passes in the Champions League. He would be a long-term acquisition who could also battle to be a starter from the off.
As Celtic go in pursuit of adding insult to injury against a Rangers side they have blown away in the Scottish Premiership this season, one key man is set to return from injury.
Celtic team news confirmed for Old Firm derby
Currently sat as many as 16 points clear of the Gers in Scotland’s top flight, Celtic are set to be crowned champions once again to make it two from two for Brendan Rodgers in his second stint in charge of the Bhoys. With the Old Firm clash up next too, they have the chance to turn 16 into 19 and deal their rivals another frustrating blow.
Entering the derby off the back of eliminating Fenerbahce from the Europa League and reaching the last eight, Rangers will have a point to prove up against Celtic, however, who will still need to be at their best.
With that said, one particular piece of injury news has certainly arrived at the perfect time in pursuit of victory. As confirmed by Brendan Rodgers, James Forrest is now set to return from injury against Rangers this Sunday.
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Rodgers told reporters when asked about team news: “How’s the squad? Yeah, all good. We’ve had a good week, so one more day to go. One or two we are just assessing. Callum (McGregor), obviously he’s had a similar week to last week, and we’ll make a decision on him tomorrow.
“Obviously, James Forrest is back in the squad, which is really good. Paulo Bernardo is still a little bit away. Liam Scales, he’s obviously had an issue with his cheekbones, so we’re just waiting to finalise whether he needs an operation or not. So he will be doubtful for the game, but apart from that, it’s the same squad.”
"Brilliant" Forrest returning at perfect time
One of the most experienced players that Rodgers has to pick from and a modern-day Celtic legend with 12 Scottish Premiership titles to his name, Forrest’s return comes at the perfect time. The 33-year-old will be relieved to be back in time to face Rangers too, having scored six Old Firm derby goals during his time at Celtic Park.
Rodgers needs no reminder of the winger’s quality, either, having been full of praise when asked about Forrest last season – telling reporters: “He’s been a brilliant servant of the club.
Celtic winger James Forrest.
“And of course, it’s probably been difficult for him the last couple of years, not playing maybe as much as he wants. But I’ve always said in terms of quality and wing-play, he’s our best winger.”
Almost into the final year of his contract, Forrest looks destined to add at least one more title to his name before perhaps retaining that crown in his final campaign at Celtic next season.