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Rangers face nine games between now and January 2 in what is the busiest spell in the calendar and the Ibrox side have the chance to secure progression to the knockout stages in Europe along with winning the League Cup during that run. This should be more than enough incentive for Philippe Clement’s men to push as hard as they can until the winter break and bring some more silverware to Ibrox.

The squad doesn’t appear to be at the required level for Clement and with the January transfer window just around the corner, there will surely be another new face or two arriving in Glasgow.

It looks as though the Gers have been busy prior to the winter window opening, however, as the club recently announced Nils Koppen as their new Director of Football Recruitment, and he won't have long to get stuck in about improving the squad.

He won't arrive at the Gers until the beginning of January, but he will already be planning ahead to improve the player trading model along with making sure the first-team squad is as good as it can be.

While Clement will have his own transfer targets, could the Light Blues perhaps return for a player that they had shown interest in during the summer transfer window? Indeed, Harry Souttar would be an ideal signing for the club.

Harry Souttar to Rangers

During the final few weeks of the summer transfer window, Michael Beale was intensifying his search for a new defender and journalist Geoff Peters claimed that the Gers were reportedly keen on signing Souttar.

He said: “Rangers are interested in taking Harry Souttar on loan from Leicester City. Souttar was an unused sub against Coventry at the weekend and not in the 20-man #lcfc squad tonight at Burton. Other clubs also monitoring the situation. His older brother John joined Rangers last year.”

While it was mooted that it would be a temporary deal rather than a permanent one, a potential move for the £41k-per-week centre-back failed to materialise.

This meant the former QPR manager went into the season having signed just one central defender during the transfer window in Leon Balogun.

With a new director being announced, could the Light Blues perhaps take another look at Souttar and his situation concerning a potential swoop?

Harry Souttar’s season in numbers

The Australian defender moved to Leicester City in January this year in a deal which could rise to £20m. Initially, he enjoyed a solid start to life at the club.

He had a productive World Cup just a few months prior to his big-money move to the Premier League, starting all four of Australia’s matches, and he was even lauded an “absolute beast” by journalist Sacha Pisani for his performances.

During his brief spell in the English top flight, Souttar won a staggering 86% of his aerial duels while also making 3.8 clearances and 1.3 tackles per game for the Foxes as they were relegated back to the Championship after a nine-year spell in the Premier League.

Despite these solid displays, he has been frozen out of the team during the 2023/24 season, making just one appearance in the second tier, and that was back in October.

Leicester managed to keep a clean sheet during this one game and Souttar won 100% of his total duels along with holding an 88% pass success rate and taking 92 touches during the match.

A solid display, especially considering he had been overlooked for every league match prior and this could work in the Gers favour.

It looks as though he doesn’t have the brightest of futures at the club under manager Enzo Maresca and it could be a good idea for Koppen to pay some attention to whether or not he could become available in the coming weeks.

Clement needs some improvement to his defensive options and the former Stoke City titan could become an ideal acquisition, in the process potentially becoming Connor Goldson 2.0.

Connor Goldson’s statistics at Rangers

The Englishman joined the Light Blues in the summer of 2018 as Steven Gerrard was aiming to bolster his squad ahead of challenging Celtic for domestic superiority.

Comfortable on the ball and strong in physical battles, he was the ideal choice of centre-back for the Liverpool icon and fast-forward over five years later, Goldson is still a mainstay at the club.

Since making his debut in July 2018, the centre-back has racked up 285 appearances for the Glasgow side while chipping in with 23 goals and 14 assists during that time, not a bad return for a defender, that’s for sure.

The Englishman has won a league title and Scottish Cup while helping the side reach the Europa League final in 2022, although he couldn’t prevent them from losing to Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville.

This season, Goldson has missed just one Premiership match and has proven how good he is with one-on-one battles, winning 70% of his total duels – which works out as 5.5 per game – and Souttar certainly has a similar style to Goldson, notably in the air.

Additionally, he would also be making the move from an English side, as Goldson joined the club from Brighton and Hove Albion, and he is Clement’s finest defender without a shadow of a doubt.

The problem is, who is the best choice of partner for him? Leon Balogun will likely be leaving the club next summer, while John Souttar (Harry’s brother) struggles with injury issues and can't be relied on for a whole season.

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Koppen could land first blinder in Rangers swoop for £4.3m Dowell upgrade

The new director of football recruitment is due to join the club next month.

ByDan Emery Dec 4, 2023

Ben Davies has played infrequently this term and was close to joining Stoke City during the last few days of the summer transfer window, and it appears his future lies away from Ibrox.

With all this in mind, Clement and Koppen may decide that reigniting a swoop for the player might well be in the best interests of the club as they seek improvement.

Even on a temporary basis, Souttar would still add something different to the squad, and he could form a solid partnership alongside Goldson during the second half of the season.

Manchester United will be hoping their season can finally get off the ground following the international break as they welcome Brighton and Hove Albion to Old Trafford this afternoon.

Erik ten Hag isn’t under pressure yet, but if his team carry on in the same fashion which has seen them secure just two wins from four Premier League matches, the Dutchman will soon start to feel the heat.

Summer signing Rasmus Hojlund made his first appearance for the club against Arsenal two weeks ago, and he could well be in line for his first start today.

Will Rasmus Hojlund start for Manchester United vs Brighton?

Having joined the Red Devils for a fee of £72m from Atalanta, the Danish striker took a few weeks to make his debut due to a back injury, but the United faithful will be hoping he is ready to hit the ground running from now on.

The 20-year-old netted 16 goals throughout the 2022/23 campaign and emerged as one of the most highly-rated young talents on the continent.

He did play just 23 minutes against the Gunners, yet the club clearly need a change up front and there is no doubt he could offer more than Anthony Martial – who has scored just 11 league goals across the last three seasons combined.

The key question for Ten Hag is, who will he deploy on the right wing alongside him, especially with Antony missing the tie.

Could Alejandro Garnacho replace Antony?

The talented Argentinian first began to make an impression for the Old Trafford side last season, enjoying a breakthrough campaign in which he made 34 appearances across all competitions, registering ten goal contributions – five goals and five assists – all before he turned 19 years of age.

The youngster primarily operates on the left wing yet is capable of performing on the opposite flank when required, and it’s clear that Ten Hag may need him to step in for Antony for the foreseeable future.

Hailed as a “game-changer” by Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst back in January, the 19-year-old could give the United attack something different and a partnership of him and Hojlund could be the catalyst that kick-starts their season.

The winger has started two out of their four games this term and has averaged 51 minutes per game, impressing in flashes, particularly against Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite suffering a 2-0 defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s men, Garnacho attempted three shots at goal, made one key pass and succeeded with 50% of his dribble attempts as he sought to create something for United during the tie.

He started on the bench against the Gunners, yet after coming on with just six minutes left, it looked as though he had netted the winner, running onto a Marcus Rashford pass and slotting the ball past Aaron Ramsdale.

The £50k-per-week teenager had strayed just offside however and the effort was ruled out, with Arsenal subsequently going on to score two late goals of their own, but it’s evident that the youngster offers a major attacking threat.

Ten Hag has no choice but to deploy him today and if he performs well, he could very well prove the long-term solution in that right-wing berth.

Sunderland are aiming for a return to the Premier League, the Black Cats hopeful of completing this mission after a positive start in the Championship this season after 16 games played.

Winning eight of their 16 contests so far, Tony Mowbray's youthful side have the ability in their ranks to brush aside opponents with relative ease – beating Birmingham City 3-1 in their last match at home, 18-year-old midfield sensation Jobe Bellingham leading from the front with a goal against his former boyhood club.

In that same win at the weekend just gone, a cameo appearance from another exciting young talent off the bench helped the Black Cats get over the line and secure a convincing three points at the expense of Wayne Rooney's dire Blues.

Adil Aouchiche wowed home supporters with his electric 16-minute spell on the Stadium of Light turf when introduced into the contest, the young French midfielder now pushing for more immediate first-team opportunities subsequently.

Adil Aouchiche's game vs Birmingham in numbers

Substituted onto the pitch by Mowbray to replace the flagging midfield presence of Bellingham who was exhausted after running himself into the ground for the Black Cats, Aouchiche was just the injection of freshness Sunderland needed to ensure Birmingham didn't get back into the contest and instead romped home to a 3-1 victory.

With just 14 touches on the ball as per Sofascore, Aouchiche was levels above the hapless Birmingham defenders trying to contain him – the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder taking the Blues backline by surprise, especially when he scored just two minutes after being afforded a chance to positively impact the game with the clock ticking down.

Getting on the end of a Jack Clarke driven pass into the area after Sunderland's star-man had got the better of the opposing full-back, the ex-PSG midfielder tapped home into an empty net to consolidate the three points for his new employers and excite the home supporters with his short but sweet cameo appearance.

Aouchiche could be an effective calling card from off the bench by Mowbray in these crunch contests when the opposition are tiring, Sunderland's new number 22 an instant hero with this game-clinching contribution which saw the Durham-based club enter the playoff picture as a result – climbing up to sixth spot on goal difference off the back of the win, with West Brom and Hull City lingering just below.

This wasn't just a promising performance in isolation however for Aouchiche, with the 21-year-old equally as impressive off the bench this campaign in other Championship encounters for his promotion-chasing side.

Adil Aouchiche's season in numbers

Only averaging 22 minutes per game according to Sofascore this campaign having not started a single game, Aouchiche is the very definition of an impact player for Sunderland and has even been labelled as a "special talent" by football journalist Josh Bunting despite not cementing himself into the first team fold just yet.

Up against Stoke City before the victory at the Stadium of Light against Birmingham, the Frenchman nearly played the role of saviour again for his team but to no avail.

The Black Cats would lose out to the Potters 2-1, but Aouchiche would attempt three shots on Mark Travers' goal from just 15 minutes on the pitch via Sofascore – amassing an overall 7.3 Sofascore rating as a result, the new Black Cats recruit then bettering this display with a goal versus the Blues.

His midfield teammates in Alex Pritchard and Pierre Ekwah will be sweating about their first-team futures if the 21-year-old keeps this up with Sunderland striking gold by signing this 21-year-old brimming full of swagger and confidence.

Liverpool have long been linked with Brazilian midfielder Andre, but they are also eyeing a move for another exciting South American prospect, according to a fresh transfer update.

Andre to Liverpool update

It was obvious that huge changes were needed to the Reds' midfield at the end of last season, with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson performing way below their usual standards. The trio of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were all out of contract, too, and it became clear that none of them would be retained.

With those five players all departing, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch all came in, and Liverpool immediately looked much better for it, mounting a Premier League title challenge currently.

There are still many Reds supporters who believe that another defensive midfielder needs to arrive in the January transfer window, however, and Andre to Liverpool is a transfer saga that has gained momentum in recent months. The Fluminense youngster continues to be linked with a move to Anfield at the start of 2024, having already become a dominant presence in the No.6 role for his current club.

While plenty of focus appears to be on Liverpool getting a deal over the line for the 22-year-old, it looks as though the Merseysiders are also keen on another highly-rated player from the same region.

Ezequiel Fernandez to Liverpool

According to a new transfer update from Gazzetta dello Sport, Ezequiel Fernandez is a target for Liverpool, with the Reds seeing him as an exciting option alongside Andre. They are not the only club showing an interest in the Boca Juniors midfielder, however, with European powerhouses AC Milan and Benfica also believed to be in the running.

Fernandez may be relatively unknown to fans who predominantly watch European football, but he is someone who could be such an exciting signing by Liverpool, given his long-term ceiling as a player and the fact that football talent scout Jacek Kulig has called him "really interesting".

Fernandez's stats show that he has already become a vital performer for Boca, with 43 appearances coming his way to date, as well as winning 13 caps for Argentina's Under-17s. Mac Allister has even spoken of his admiration for Fernandez recently, saying of him:

"If you ask me a little more about my style, there is a player that I really like and that is Equi Fernández. He is a player who has all the conditions to reach Europe one day and I hope that can happen to him.

"He is a player that I like a lot, he understands the game a lot. He is always prepared to receive the ball, he plays with both legs, he can play as a five, as an inside player… he is a player who has certain very good conditions and, if Brighton asked me, I would say his name."

There is an argument to say that Liverpool don't need both Andre and Fernandez to come in, considering they are similar players in defensive midfield – Endo is also there and Stefan Bajcetic could be seen as a future starter in that position – but if Jurgen Klopp sees Fernandez as a great long-term option, then FSG should pursue a move for him.

Chelsea secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup following an extra-time victory over Benfica at the weekend.

Reece James looked like he had powered the Blues into the next round, but a penalty from Ángel Di María sent the clash into an extra 30 minutes.

The game was suspended for a couple of hours, just minutes from the final whistle, due to a storm threat, but Chelsea finally won the clash 4-1.

It may have taken 4 hours and 39 minutes, but Enzo Maresca’s side now face off against PSG for a spot in the semi-final.

Despite the focus being on the tournament and progressing as far as possible, the manager is still keen on bolstering his squad via the transfer market.

How to Watch the FIFA Club World Cup for Free

Everything you need to know about the Club World Cup.

ByCharlie Smith Jun 13, 2025

Reports coming from the Athletic claim that the Blues have reached an agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion regarding a move for Joao Pedro.

The proposed deal looks set to be in excess of £50m and the Brazilian has agreed personal terms with the club.

With a medical booked in early for next week, it appears as though Maresca is closing in on signing another key target. Just what will Pedro offer the Blues?

Why Chelsea want to sign Joao Pedro

Maresca is looking to sell both Christopher Nkunku and João Félix this summer, with both players struggling for regular gametime last season.

Nkunku may have scored against Benfica, but with clubs such as Manchester United showing some interest in the Frenchman, it looks as though he might be sold.

Felix played just 20 times for Maresca last season, scoring seven times, but the Portuguese star spent the second half of the campaign out on loan at AC Milan.

Pedro’s arrival suggests one, or perhaps both, will soon be departing Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks.

Transfer Focus

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

The Brighton star is versatile, being able to operate as a centre-forward, second striker or even out wide on the left flank.

Last term, he typically operated in an advanced role centrally, scoring ten goals for the Seagulls and registering seven assists, proving he is adept in front of goal and at creating opportunities for his teammates.

Such were his performances, the 23-year-old ranks highly among his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues.

Indeed, not only does the forward rank in the top 12% for assists (0.28) per 90, but he also ranks in the top 10% for shot-creating actions (3.33) and successful take-ons (1.34) per 90.

Furthermore, Pedro’s ability to get the ball into dangerous areas is evidenced by the fact he ranks in the top 4% for progressive passes (3.6) and in the top 3% for progressive carries (3.05) per 90, indicating that he will offer a lot of attacking qualities for the Blues next term.

It won’t be the only area of the squad that the Italian will be keen on strengthening, however, especially with the added demands of Champions League football next term.

As such, it’s certainly worth Chelsea bringing in a defender or two this summer.

Chelsea's search for a defender

Last season, the club conceded a total of 59 goals across all competitions from 57 matches, and this record will be something Maresca aims to improve next term.

Over the same period, Chelsea scored 120 goals. This suggests that bolstering the defence is surely a bigger priority than adding to the forward line, notably Joao Pedro.

It looks as though the Blues are keen on a defender who played against them just last weekend – Antonio Silva.

Journalist Simon Phillips stated via his Substack that the Blues have been impressed with the youngster, saying:

“Chelsea have tried and made approaches and checks on a number of potential new centre back names this summer so far and still have more to look at and in to. Chelsea have been scouting Antonio Silva of Benfica all season and already have him added to our transfer shortlist alongside his team mate, Tomas Araujo.

“But Chelsea are looking for an out and out centre back and attentions have again turned to the 21-year-old Portuguese international who has just two-years remaining on his contract.”

The centre-back is valued at €32m (£27m) according to Transfermarkt, but Benfica will be looking for a much higher fee than that to sanction a sale considering his release clause stands at around £87m.

Given their defensive issues last term, Silva would be a better signing than Pedro, that’s for sure.

Why Chelsea must sign Antonio Silva

The 21-year-old played over 40 times last season, including all four games at the Club World Cup for Benfica.

At the tournament, Silva averaged a 92% pass success rate, while winning a staggering 80% of his total duels contested, made 2.3 tackles per game and lost possession just 4.3 times per match in the States.

These performances have attracted plenty of attention, and there is no doubt that Silva is only going to get better and better.

Accurate passes

52.3

Tackles

1.5

Total duels won

4.5

Possession lost

7.7

Clearances

4.3

Balls recovered

4

After he burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old with a goal against Juventus in the Champions League back in 2022, Jamie Carragher claimed the defender was “going to be a superstar” and his upwards trajectory certainly suggests so.

When compared to his peers in the Champions League last season, Silva ranked in the top 1% for clearances (7.7) per 90, while also ranking in the top 16% for aerials won (2.36) and in the top 9% for touches in the defensive penalty area (12.91) per 90.

An impressive array of statistics indeed, and considering his ceiling is extraordinarily high, Maresca must make signing Silva a key priority this summer.

Pedro will certainly add plenty of dynamism to the club’s attacking department, but it is at the heart of the defence where the real improvements are required given the problems Maresca’s men suffered last term.

As such, spending whatever it takes to bring Silva from Benfica to the Premier League must be the next move BlueCo are planning.

If he lands his signature, Silva will almost certainly be a better signing than Pedro.

Chelsea considering "incredible" Club World Cup star after scouting mission

The Blues have added him to their list of targets…

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 30, 2025

Everyone loves an away day; it's such a quintessential part of football culture, going away with your mates or family and following your team up and down the country, come rain or shine.

However, as great as they are, there is something better: a European away day.

Only some of us are lucky enough to support a club that we can follow onto the continent, but when we do, it can be the highlight of the entire season. As with these trips, It's not just about the football.

Read More: The top 10 away days in the Premier League

With that in mind, Football FanCast has created a list of the top ten European away days based on the football and the destination.

10 Benfica – Lisbon

Kicking off our list is an away day to Portugal's most successful clubs and one of its nicest cities, Lisbon's SL Benfica.

The Eagles have won 38 domestic titles – the most of any team in the country – and boasts a massive and very vocal support, who can create quite the atmosphere for European games.

The city is also one of the best places to spend a weekend away, with stunning architecture, lovely weather and plenty of history and culture to get stuck into.

Lisbon is actually the oldest city in Western Europe, being founded centuries before London.

Prices aren't too bad in the city either as it comes in at 36 on the list of most expensive European cities.

9 Galatasaray – Istanbul

From the most westerly club on our list, the one furthest east: Istanbul's Galatasaray.

Gala are one of the biggest clubs in world football, so it shouldn't be surprising to learn that they are Turkey's most successful side, winning 22 Turkish Super Ligs, the most of any team in the country.

One of the biggest pluses of an away day against Gala is witnessing the stadium's intense atmosphere. Many of the teams on this list will have impressive atmospheres, but none quite reach the level found in the Ali Sami Yen Stadium.

The other benefit to this away day is the chance to explore Istanbul. The city is one of the most historically important anywhere in the world, and you can't move for significant cultural and historical sights.

Interestingly, half the city is in Europe and the other half is in Asia and this is one of the pressure points that adds even more drama to the derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, as the latter is in the European side and the former on the other.

The most famous sight in the city and one you can't leave without seeing, is the Hagia Sophia Mosque, which was completed in 537 AD.

8 Bayern Munich – Munich

Our first German club on the list, and if you're a beer aficionado, then this is the away day for you.

We're, of course, talking about Bayern Munich.

Now, from a purely footballing perspective, this is an obvious inclusion on the list as Bayern play some of the most entertaining football on the continent, they have the England captain up top, and their stadium is mightily impressive. There's nothing not to like.

However, Munich has quite a lot to offer away from the football.

If you're heading there from late September to early October, you can't miss Oktoberfest. The annual event sees one of the biggest beer festivals overtake the city, alongside a food and wine festival for those not keen on the wheaty stuff.

Aside from the food and drink, there is plenty of history to see in the city, and the surrounding mountains provide plenty of opportunities to explore nature.

Prices in Munich are relatively average, with the city coming in as the 21st most expensive in Europe.

7 Borussia Dortmund – Dortmund

There are some things that every football fan should see at one point in their life, and one of those things is Borussia Dortmund's world-famous Yellow Wall.

Dortmund are the second German club on this list, and while the attraction of Munich was partly the football and partly the destination, an away day to Dortmund is all about the football.

The club have always prided itself on playing attractive football regardless of the opposition, and while that hasn't always resulted in the best outcomes for the team, it has meant that fans are always entertained.

Pair the football with the genuinely fantastic tifos and fanfare from the almost 25,000 Yellow Wall, and you're guaranteed a great trip, regardless of how your team gets on.

Another plus to a trip here is that your money will go a little further than in Munich, with Dortmund coming in as the 46th most expensive city on the continent.

6 Paris Saint-Germain – Paris

One of the quintessential European capitals, no list of continental away days is truly complete without the addition of Paris.

Now say what you want about the City of Lights – and people have – it's undeniably the place to be for history and culture buffs.

You can hardly walk ten meters without finding another museum, so much so that Paris officially has the most museums out of any city in the world.

The football isn't bad, either.

Granted, the departure of Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr over the summer has somewhat reduced the appeal of watching Paris Saint-Germain play, but it's still a privilege to watch Kylian Mbappe do his thing live.

One of the only downsides of a trip to Paris is the cost, with it coming in as Europe's ninth most expensive city.

5 Ajax – Amsterdam

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Amsterdam more than delivers on both a footballing and sightseeing front.

Ajax might not be the powerhouse they were in your dad's day – and they're practically imploding at the moment – but in an average year, they still play some beautiful football, and hey, this is a game that a lot of English clubs would fancy themselves in, so there's that.

Away from the football, the city has something for everyone.

Love art and culture? Go to the Rijksmuseum and look at some fantastic works from Rembrandt.

Want to try some new food? Explore some of the 2,293 restaurants the city has to offer. And, of course, there's the nightlife as well.

Really, the only downside is that Amsterdam comes in as the tenth most expensive city in Europe.

4 AC Milan/Inter – Milan

When it comes to iconic football stadiums, there really aren't many better than Milan's San Siro, home to both AC Milan and Inter, so both clubs make it onto our list.

After a decade of mediocrity, the Rossoneri are back to playing exciting football and winning titles, as are the Nerazzuri.

Milan is a dream for architecture fans, with sights like the Duomo easily accessible on any given day. Similarly to Paris, the Italian city is chockfull of museums to get lost in.

That said, the main attraction of this trip has to be the San Siro, so it would be well worth booking a tour of the stunning ground and its iconic spiral walkways.

As the 20th most expensive city in Europe, prices are neither here nor there.

3 Union Berlin – Berlin

Our third and final German city to make the list – we promise – is the capital, Berlin.

Until fairly recently, the biggest club in the city was Hertha Berlin. However, with their relegation last season and Union Berlin's rapid ascension to Champions League football in recent years, it's hard not to describe the latter as the city's new 'biggest side.'

UEFA has forced the club to use the city's Olympiastadion for European games, and while that has understandably upset the fans, it did lead to an awe-inspiring spectacle when they hosted Braga earlier this season. The 74,000-strong crowd created an unbelievable atmosphere and made their European matches a must-attend for fans of the game.

Away from the football, though, Berlin also happens to be one of the best places to spend a weekend away. The sheer size of the place means that there really is something for everyone.

History buffs will find something interesting around every corner, given the last century of change that the place has experienced and for party animals, there might not be a better city in all of Europe.

The city is quite expensive, but at number 14 on the list, it's not too bad.

2 Real Madrid – Madrid

Real Madrid are the biggest football club in the world, the most successful Champions League side ever and are based in the capital city of Spain; we couldn't do an away days list without including Los Blancos.

The main attraction of this trip will undoubtedly be the match itself, as the opportunity to watch Real at the Santiago Bernabeu is truly a bucket list item. The view from inside the stadium is outstanding, while the less said about the new outside facade the better.

While Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale are all gone, the opportunity to see Jude Bellingham swanning about the pitch like a prime Zinedine Zidane is reason enough to get a ticket.

Besides the football, there is plenty to eat and drink with the city boasting over 6,000 individual restaurants, and with the weather, you'll likely be able to enjoy your meal al fresco.

Your pocket money will go further here than at home, with Madrid coming in as Europe's 39th most expensive city.

1 Roma – Rome

Here we are then, the number one European away day on our list, and while every trip on this list is fantastic, we happen to think that going to Rome to watch Roma is the best one of them all.

Now, Roma clearly aren't a bigger club than, say, Real Madrid or AC Milan, and they probably don't play better football than Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund, but that doesn't matter.

When you watch a Champions League, Europa League, or even a Conference League game at the Stadio Olimpico, very few places are quite like it.

The singing before the game starts, the drums that go for the full 90, and the sea of waving flags all make for a genuinely memorable experience and one that doesn't quite translate through the television for whatever reason.

However, even if the football was rubbish, the city of Rome adds so much more to this trip, and for lovers of history and culture, there probably isn't a better destination on this list.

The Colosseum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, the Forum, the Spanish Steps, and many other historical landmarks are all within the same city.

And to round it all off, the weather is usually beautiful, the food is fantastic, and it's all pretty affordable.

Honestly, what's not to love?

West Ham manager David Moyes could now hand more opportunities for a player to revive his career at the London Stadium, according to reports.

Frustrating international break for Moyes

Following a torrid run of internationals for members of the Hammers squad, Moyes is now having to cope with a few injury problems to key players. Star winger Jarrod Bowen pulled out of England duty with a knee problem and is a small doubt to face Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, though Moyes is hopeful to have him, while striker Michail Antonio is a certain absentee after limping off for Jamaica (pre-Burnley press conference).

West Ham "set sights" on club's "massive" striker after Antonio injury

Moyes has been handed a big striker problem.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 22, 2023

Mohammed Kudus was absent for Ghana at points but played the second half of their final international game of the break, with the summer signing apparently suffering from back problems these past few weeks. Antonio, though, will come as a big miss for Moyes and West Ham are now very short of natural striker options as a result.

Kudus can play in a more central attacking role when required, as can Bowen, with the Hammers boss not exactly showing much faith in back up forward Danny Ings this season.

Indeed, Kudus in particular has been tipped to become more and more of an Antonio rotation option this season than the former Saints star.

"I think it makes most sense that he goes in to alternate the forward role for a little bit," said journalist Dean Jones to GiveMeSport last month.

"We know that West Ham are going to start looking towards signing a No.9 in the January market. We know that they're looking for somebody to alternate with Antonio a bit.

"Before he came in, I was told that's a role they had earmarked for him. It wouldn't be just that position that he would play, but the two things I was told was to look out for him as a striker rotator and also don't expect him to come in all guns blazing."

Fellow option Ings has featured over just 68 minutes in the Premier League so far, indicating that he just isn't quite fancied, but Antonio's injury problem could hand him a brief opportunity.

Ings tipped for "late, last" West Ham chance

Signed from Aston Villa in January earlier this year, Ings just hasn't quite managed to justify his transfer over the minutes he has played. Scoring just three goals throughout his entire West Ham career, time is running out for the 31-year-old to showcase his true ability, but reporter Jones believes Ings may be handed a "late, last" opportunity to do so amid Moyes' injury crisis.

"I don't think that there are that many West Ham fans right now who have got much faith in Danny Ings being the answer to this solution based on what they've seen so far," said Jones this week to GMS.

"I think that Danny Ings was heading for a January transfer. Maybe this is a late, last opportunity for him to prove that he can make this work out at West Ham.

Indirect set-piece threat

Plays the ball off the ground often

Likes to tackle

"Certainly, he is going to get more opportunities now than he would have had before. But it'll be interesting to see if that's definitely the route that West Ham want to go down and how much they even trust Danny Ings."

Manchester United have rarely got things in the transfer market in the last decade or so, with the likes of Angel di Maria, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Sanchez all failing to make the required impact at Old Trafford. The arrival of Erik ten Hag looked likely to change things, however.

The Dutchman has seen arrivals such as Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane enjoy great success, with both signings playing a key part in United's impressive campaign last time out, which saw them win the Carabao Cup, and qualify for the Champions League.

There's not much Ten Hag could do about the players that he inherited, though, with the task of improving struggling stars a difficult one from the off. Now, having fallen out with one of those stars in the form of Jadon Sancho, a surprise club has emerged in the race to sign the frozen out winger.

What's the latest Jadon Sancho transfer news?

Sancho looked destined for greatness at Borussia Dortmund, with 50 goals and 64 assists in just 137 appearances for the Bundesliga giants to earn a move to Manchester United for a reported £73m.

Since that move to Old Trafford, however, the England international has been a shadow of the player who lit up the Bundesliga for Dortmund. Now, a player once destined for greatness, is one who looks likely to forever face the question of what went so disastrously wrong?

After falling out with Ten Hag, and being dropped from the Manchester United squad as a result, Sancho could now get the fresh start he so desperately needs, with a surprise club emerging.

According to Sport in Spain, Barcelona are interested in making a potential loan move for Sancho in January, with United keen to get the winger off their books come the winter transfer window, given that he earns a reported £350k per week at Old Trafford.

The report states that Xavi is "attentive" to the situation, and Barcelona are waiting to see what happens with the Red Devils' outcast in the coming months.

Should Barcelona sign Jadon Sancho?

At his best, Sancho is a player capable of hitting double figures in goals and assists for the season. It could just be a case of somehow helping him rediscover the confidence to perform at such levels.

It would be a relatively risk-free deal for Barcelona in January, too, given that they would be pursuing a loan deal for the former Dortmund man, rather than anything permanent in January.

If they can help Sancho get back to his top form, then Xavi will have someone at his disposal who has earned the highest praise in the past, including from Harry Kane, who told Sky Sports after the Barcelona target's England debut: "He's great. Big congrats to him for his debut. I thought he came on and made an impact as well. He's been great in training and he has just got to keep working hard and playing games and I'm sure he will have a very bright future."

With that said, Sancho is certainly one to keep an eye on when the January transfer window comes around, particularly if Barcelona push on for his signature.

On Saturday evening it felt like an irremovable force was sent down from upon high to plague Liverpool's chances of moving top of the Premier League.

Such an eventuality would have capped off nicely this rejuvenation of Jurgen Klopp's, who has remoulded his midfield and once again crafted a Reds side that looks capable of challenging for elite honours.

However, when you're forced to play with nine men and then be subjected to one of the most mind-boggling VAR calls you will ever see, you are unlikely to win games of football.

Curtis Jones' aggressive challenge early doors saw red and then Diogo Jota was also sent for an early bath after twice fouling Destiny Udogie in the space of a few minutes.

However, the real injustice was at the hands of the officials. Luis Diaz raced through in the first half before firing home a lovely finish from inside the penalty area.

Everyone could see it was onside, yet in remarkable circumstances, it was chalked off. The PGMOL, for what felt like the 1000th time in the last year were forced to apologise for a major human error. The circumstances surrounding why it was given are incomprehensible.

To make matters worse, they will now be without two of their forward's services. Jota, of course, will be suspended, but Cody Gakpo was also forced off with an injury immediately after finding the net with a powerful close-range drive. According to his manager, he is now in a brace and limping.

Who could replace Gakpo and Jota?

The obvious replacement in the number 9 role will likely be that of Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan has started just twice in the Premier League this term but will likely now get his chance to do his thing.

An effervescent character in the forward line, the 24-year-old has already found the net three times this season and is simply bursting at the thought of being given an extended run in the side. Fortunately, that could well be forthcoming.

However, another player who could get a rare opportunity is that of Ben Doak.

The teenager has regularly been seen in the first-team picture this term, earning a start in the Europa League against LASK.

How good is Ben Doak?

That centre-forward berth is unlikely to be his, but a vacancy could well open up on the wings. Moving Salah would be foolish but Diaz's place isn't certain and with games coming up thick and fast, rotation will be needed. Without Gakpo and Jota, that is tricky.

Doak already has plenty of senior football under his belt. He made his first-team debut for Celtic at 16 before moving to Anfield and is now gaining semi-regular opportunities in Jurgen Klopp's first team.

Now 17, he has appeared as a substitute once in the Premier League this term but wasn't even in the matchday squad for the trip to Spurs. Damning indeed, but his chance is surely now just around the corner.

A "special" talent, as dubbed by Klopp, he is yet to earn a start in the league for Liverpool, but his radiant qualities prove he deserves a go.

A wonderful ball-carrier, Virgil van Dijk perhaps sums up his qualities best: "He’s very exciting, very direct, one-on-one. I call him a Tasmanian Devil with the way he is buzzing around, he’s just so quick. If his decision-making gets better – and he has all the time in the world for that – then he could definitely be one for the future."

One for the future? Yes. But one for the here and now? Blows to both the availabilities of Jota and Gakpo means we could well be about to find out.

It is quite remarkable how quickly things can change in football, and those affiliated with Tottenham Hotspur will only be too happy to delineate the club's emphatic turnaround.

Manager Ange Postecoglou is the architect of the revolution, having transformed a suffering outfit that finished eighth in the Premier League last season but now look set for an exciting campaign fighting against the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the table.

Tottenham are perched in first-place in the English top flight after eight games, and while there is a very long road ahead, the signs of newfound, lasting positivity are there for all to see.

The results on the pitch have been emphatic but are simply a product of the astute transfer work plied over the summer, and while the likes of James Maddison and Micky van de Ven have captured the awe, prospects such as Alejo Veliz hold potential enough to cement a starring role on English shores in the near future.

How is Alejo Veliz getting on at Tottenham?

Signed from Argentinian side Rosario Central for around £13m in August, Veliz is a 20-year-old centre-forward with a natural inclination for aerial dominance.

Last year, the sharpshooter posted 11 goals and two assists from just 23 games, with talent scout Jacek Kulig touting him as the "complete" striker.

And while he has only made two fleeting substitute displays for the Lilywhites thus far,the youngster is acclimatising to life in Europe and will see a rise in importance as the season progresses.

His former coach, Adrian Dezotti, said this of his faculties: “Alejo is really intelligent but also very cunning, mischievous. He has a lot of tricks up his sleeve, a lot of street smarts. He’s a strategist, a quick thinker."

The 6 foot 1, physical forward offers a range of tools but has earned early acclaim for his "incredible" and "fearsome" prowess in the air, drifting above the clouds to latch onto balls out of reach for the lion's share – winning 4.95 aerial duels per game over the past year (FBref).

He is a distinctive, focal frontman, the kind of striker that gets the footballing traditionalists all starry-eyed and wobbly-kneed. A man of prodigious potential and a dream for creative peers.

He might not even be the biggest talent at Spurs' disposal though, with Jude Soonsup-Bell dazzling at youth level this season and looking to rival his South American counterpart for a place in his senior manager's plans.

Who is Jude Soonsup-Bell?

Despite impressing within the prestigious Cobham Academy, Soonsup-Bell joined Tottenham on a free transfer in January as he approached the culmination of his contract with Chelsea and had not been offered fresh terms.

The Blues have instated a sell-on clause but deemed the precocious hopeful unlikely to wedge his way into the first team with such congested youth ranks.

Now, however, the 19-year-old is comfortably ensconced in Tottenham's U21 team, having started the 2023/24 campaign in stunning form, very much knocking on Postecoglou's door should his early-season feats be sustained.

Spurs fought off competition from the likes of Manchester City to secure his services, and now look to be reaping the rewards, boasting a prodigy to partner someone of Veliz's ilk up front.

The pairing are not the only offensive aces with high ceilings but illustrate the incredible development across the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the outfit very much on the up and improving from the pitch to the training ground to the very air of the dressing room.

Season

Apps

Goals

Assists

23/24

6

6

2

22/23

21

4

2

21/22

36

8

5

20/21

27

19

0

19/20

1

0

0

It's worth noting that the teenage talent most prolific spell to date, during the 2020/21 season, was played at U18 level, with the subsequent campaigns underscoring the improvements made to date – indeed crescendoing in his thunderous present purple patch.

And while Tottenham boast one of the richest youth ranks across all of Europe, Soonsup-Bell's multi-faceted qualities put him right at the top of the pecking order, with a senior debut under Postecoglou surely not too far away.

What is Jude Soonsup-Bell's style of play?

Soonsup-Bell is a talented forward and one who has successfully been shifted across positions during the maiden phase of his career, and while this vortex of instability could derail the progress of some, he has used it to impressively develop different aspects of his game.

Such is corroborated by his older brother, who sang the rising phenom's praises in 2021, highlighting his best attributes that set him in such good stead for a starring role in the Premier League in the future.

He said: "Chelsea saw that he could score goals but contribute more to mould him quickly into a centre forward.

"He is athletic, as a No.9 should be, and he is quite tall and quick. But, for me, his best attribute is his intelligence both on and off the ball. He has the brain for the sport, with composure on the ball.

Chelsea's loss is Tottenham's gain, and while the Blues appear to have failed to learn from past mistakes – letting the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah depart as prospects before they bloomed – Postecoglou would love nothing more than to use Soonsup-Bell as a reminder of what could have been.

Salah, in particular, is a relevant case, with the Egpytian among the most clinical forwards in the world and boasting a technical prowess unrivalled aside from the select few in the pantheon of modern greats.

This season alone, the 31-year-old has already plundered six goals and four assists from ten outings, heralded as world-class" by pundit and colour commentator Gary Neville.

The Liverpool star's electric pace, adroit mobility and intellect in decisive passages blend to create a special threat, and one that Soonsup-Bell is showing signs of emulating.

This season, having scored six times and provided two assists, he's boasting the kind of balance that truly can entrap opponents, having fluctuated between a central striking role and a position on the right wing.

A real “handful” for defenders, as was said by football.london's Alasdair Gold, the Spurs starlet is not a carbon copy of Salah but definitely offers similar characteristics, and the evidence is there that he could be moulded into a phenom with a razor-sharp cutting edge.

If Veliz and Soonsup-Bell are provided with the license to build a strike partnership over the coming months and years, the Premier League might be in line for a new force to be reckoned.

With the Argentine's 'fearsome' aerial ability and the former Chelsea youngster's destructive, dynamic threat, the eager Spurs support could rest assured with the knowledge that the future is in safe hands – a future that will sustain this new position of strength.