Saul Niguez believes Atletico Madrid have no excuse for not challenging for major honours after all the money they have spent in recent years.
Praises Simeone’s honesty in final talksSlams ‘fake’ figures inside the clubDemands trophies after €400m investmentFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Former Atletico midfielder Saul has hit out at his old club during an interview with , saying they have “no excuse” not to challenge for major silverware this season. The Spaniard officially left the club this summer to complete a move to Brazilian side Flamengo and has reflected on his 13-year spell at the Spanish club.
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Atleti have strengthened over the summer and expectations are rising, with president Enrique Cerezo recently challenging Simeone to deliver Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey crowns. They have already Alex Baena, David Hancko, Johnny Cardoso and Matteo Ruggeri among others this summer, and are reportedly working on the signing of Stuttgart's Enzo Millot and Giacomo Raspadori from Napoli.
Having spent big for the second summer in a row, Saul believes it is time for the capital club to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid for domestic silverware and set their sights on delivering European glory at the same time.
WHAT SAUL SAID
He said: "They have fewer and fewer excuses. Last year they spent 200 million and this year they've paid another 200. Now the reality is different. They're already spending the same as other clubs and they have to compete for everything. Last year wasn't as bad as some people make it out to be. It was a year they came close to winning and didn't. As long as Cholo's message continues to resonate with the players, I think he's got a long way to go."
Saul also reflected on his final conversation with Simeone while he was still on loan at Sevilla, saying: "My relationship with Simeone had ups and downs, but he was always direct, he wasn't fake like some others at the club. He may have been a little more distant as a manager, but everything he said to me was always to my face. In my last chat with him at the Sanchez-Pizjuan, he told me that he wasn't counting on me for the following season. I think it was a very good chat because in the end it was thought that I was going to complain about anything, but in the end it was the opposite."
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ATLETICO?
Saul’s remarks shine a light on internal dynamics and raise fresh questions about whether Simeone can evolve tactically and emotionally to meet the moment. It’s now or never if Atleti are to reclaim their place at Europe’s top table.
da gbg bet： O técnico Fernando Diniz já tem o seu grupo completo na Seleção Brasileira para a estreia nas Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo de 2026. Isso porque o atacante Gabriel Jesus desembarcou em Belém (PA), na noite desta terça-feira (5), e já se juntou aos companheiros no hotel.
RelacionadasSeleção BrasileiraDanilo exalta Neymar e fala o que espera do trabalho de Diniz na Seleção: ‘Resgatar o orgulho do brasileiro’Seleção Brasileira05/09/2023Seleção BrasileiraCom Neymar e elenco quase completo, Seleção treina pela primeira vez sob o comando de DinizSeleção Brasileira05/09/2023Seleção BrasileiraVÍDEO: Veja como foi a chegada de Neymar ao hotel da Seleção Brasileira em BelémSeleção Brasileira05/09/2023
da bet esporte： + Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
Vale lembrar que o jogador do Arsenal-ING foi convocado na segunda (4), depois de Antony ter sido cortado pela CBF por conta da investigação pela qual está passando por conta das denúncias de agressão de sua ex-namorada.
Gabriel acabou chegando na capital paraense um dia após a grande maioria de seus parceiros de Seleção, pois precisou organizar sua logística de última hora. Dessa forma, acabou perdendo o primeiro treinamento, que aconteceu na tarde desta terça (5).
+ Confira a programação da Seleção Brasileira durante a Data Fifa
– Feliz por voltar. É um lugar que todo jogador quer estar. O jogo contra a Bolívia a gente tem a responsabilidade de ganhar, porém é treinar esses dias, focar, para poder ir para o jogo e conquistar os três pontos. É o único objetivo – disse Gabriel Jesus para a CBFTV.
A Seleção Brasileira estreia nas Eliminatórias contra a Bolívia, nesta sexta-feira (8), às 21h45, no Mangueirão, em Belém (PA). Depois, na terça (12), às 23h (de Brasília), será a vez de enfrentar o Peru, em Lima.
+ Com Neymar e elenco quase completo, Seleção treina pela primeira vez sob o comando de Diniz
LISTA DOS 23 CONVOCADOS
Goleiros: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City) e Lucas Perri (Botafogo); Laterais: Vanderson (Monaco), Danilo (Juventus), Caio Henrique (Monaco) e Renan Lodi (Marselha); Zagueiros: Marquinhos (PSG) , Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)e Nino (Fluminense); Meio-campistas: Raphael Veiga (Palmeiras), André (Fluminense), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United) e Joelinton (Newcastle); Atacantes: Neymar (Al-Hilal), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Richarlison (Tottenham) e Raphinha (Barcelona).
South Africa were being turned inside out by India’s spinners but they found a way through to level the series
Ashish Pant10-Nov-2024Tristan Stubbs admitted that he was “proper nervous” and just tried to control his breathing as he struck an unbeaten 47 off 41 balls to shepherd a tricky chase and take South Africa over the line by three wickets in the second T20I against India.”I was just trying to breathe,” he said with a smile after the game. “It’s my favourite place to play cricket and I was nervous, proper nervous, so I was just trying to control my breathing.”Stubbs grew up in Knysna, a small town about 260 kilometres up the road from Gqeberha and has played all his domestic and franchise cricket at St George’s Park. This knock was even more special for Stubbs as it was his mum’s birthday and he had plenty of his family and friends in the crowd who had driven down to the ground to celebrate.”Normally there’s a whole bunch of them [his friends and family], probably I reckon 30 to 35 of them,” Stubbs said. “They come through normally once a year for the SA20 and they’ve made a trip now. It’s my mom’s birthday too, so it’s sort of a celebration.”Before I met the team I went and said hello to everyone at the house that they’re staying at. So yeah, it’s been a really good day.”Coming into bat at 33 for 2 in the sixth over with South Africa chasing 125, Stubbs saw his side slip to 66 for 6 in the 13th. That soon became 86 for 7 in the 16th, but he got vital support from Gerald Coetzee with whom he shared an unbroken 42-run stand for the eighth wicket off just 20 balls.”Fortunately, the run rate never got away from us,” Stubbs said about the chase. “Once we lost the wickets, I had 30 in mind off the last three and then G [Coetzee] really came and played an innings to help that out and then, fortunately, we got over the line.”He walked in and he said straight away we can win this. I believed it all the time. We were always two hits away from being back to run-a-ball and then we had the crowd behind, which was just amazing.”Stubbs was caught right in the midst of an intense Varun Chakravarthy spell, who ran through South Africa’s middle order with a career-best 5 for 17. Ravi Bishnoi also kept things tight at the other end, but Stubbs bided his time before taking on the fast bowlers at the death. He later admitted the South Africa batters were out-skilled by the two spinners on a surface that was “typically staying low” but was pleased to stay till the end to take his side home.’They got the better of us in the middle there by just outskilling us,’ Stubbs said of India’s spinners•AFP/Getty Images
“They both [Chakravarthy and Bishnoi] were doing just enough to beat you on either side,” he said. “It wasn’t easy to come in and just rotate even, let alone take them on. They are two of the best spinners in the world so when they are on, it’s really tough and they got the better of us in the middle there by just outskilling us.”So yeah, it was really nice to get the team over the line and be there not out at the end. I think as someone who bats in the middle, that’s your whole goal when chasing, get the team over the line but do it by being not out at the end.”It’s been quite the breakthrough year for Stubbs. In February, he became just the 11th batter to score a first-class triple-century in South Africa while in the last month and a bit, he’s racked up his Test and ODI centuries. Stubbs also played a key role in Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s second-successive SA20 title while he finished the IPL 2024 as Delhi Capitals’ second-highest run-getter with a terrific strike rate of 190.90.What’s brought about this maturity in Stubbs’ game?”I don’t actually know how to answer that. It’s just been nice,” he said. “I really enjoy the longer format because you can spend more time in the middle without feeling like you need to play a big ball and I really enjoy the graft of batting long.”I think the longer form cricket just naturally helps your T20 game and the batsmanship and spending time in the middle and not having to make a play really helps the rest of the formats. So I think that’s been the biggest thing.”
Josh Hazlewood says the team is trying to limit the number of people who decide when to take a review
Daniel Brettig at the Gabba21-Nov-2019If it didn’t quite go to plan – the slip fielders pushing for a review to the edge from Shaheen Afridi’s bat – there was evidence at the Gabba that Australia have thought long and hard about improving their use of DRS in the field after a nightmarish streak in England.During the Ashes it was not until the fifth and final Test at the Oval that the captain Tim Paine successfully reviewed an on-field call of not out from an umpire, but it took only one day of the home summer for a successful overturn to be achieved when Afridi edged Mitchell Starc behind first ball.Josh Hazlewood, who claimed two wickets as part of a sustained “strangle” of Pakistan’s batting by the Australian attack, explained that the hosts were aiming to keep DRS discussions to as few voices as possible, namely the bowler and wicketkeeper, with additional advice from a square of the wicket fielder for height in the case of lbws. This element was seen when Hazlewood appealed for an early lbw against Azhar Ali before the fielders rightly elected not to challenge the umpire’s not out verdict.Josh Hazlewood continued to win the battle against Babar Azam•Getty Images”I think just keeping it every simple, we were trying to get the bowler and keeper obviously, and height’s a big issue with the lbws so we try to get someone from point in, just have a quick chat, keep it quite simple, why didn’t the umpire give it out,” Hazlewood said. “At least we have a process then and we can judge ourselves if we’re getting better or worse and change the process or keep it going the same if we’re going well. Worked today, we got one caught behind, so we’ll tick one off.”Just keeping it as simple as possible between whoever’s bowling and the keeper, and if it’s an lbw then height. If someone hears something, they can run in and yell it out if it’s very clear, but trying to restrict it to those three people.”The Australians were rewarded for perseverance and minor adjustments to their bowling across the day, pushing for a fuller length after being a little too short early on. These tactical discussions are now the purview of the new senior assistant coach Andrew McDonald, and they were aided by the fact that the bowling was disciplined enough to ensure that Pakistan could never dictate terms with their scoring rate.”I thought we strangled them to a degree in that first session, we probably bowled too short on the majority, especially the first hour I think,” Hazlewood said. “We got better as the day went on. While the scoreboard wasn’t moving, we didn’t feel too much pressure, we thought if we could get a couple [of wickets], we could get three or four in a row, which we did. That strangle mindset was certainly in effect out there, especially in that first session. A little bit to work on, but it was a pretty good comeback I thought.There was no early success for the Australia attack•Getty Images”Ideally you make it [the adjustment in length] straight away. It is hard sometimes, all three of us bowled at the SCG last week, which was exact opposite conditions if that makes sense, but we just got better in that first session. Could’ve done it earlier, but I thought eh scoreboard was going nowhere so the pressure wasn’t quite on us as much as it could’ve been.”The reward for the combination of consistent pressure and tactical tweaks was a continuation of Hazlewood’s domination when bowling to Babar Azam – a fourth ball edge in Brisbane was the fifth time he had dismissed the Pakistani shot-maker in four Tests.”It’s huge to try and stay on top of him for sure,” Hazlewood said. “He’s probably coming off T20 cricket as well, and we know he’s a stroke-maker, so he certainly likes to put the pressure back on you as a bowler and you feel if you can get him early you and get a rash shot like that sometimes. But if he drives for four, he’s away as well in his game. It can go both ways there, but we were lucky enough to get the nick, and hopefully stay on top of him for the series.”
Panthers claimed their second successive win, thanks to contributions of 90 and 84 from Mubasir Khan and Haider Ali and an all-round contribution from their captain Shadab Khan. A 144-run fifth-wicket partnership between Mubasir and Haider powered the team to 283. Lions did look well-placed just before the halfway mark in their chase with Imam-ul-Haq’s second successive half-century guiding them to 127 for 3, before a collapse saw them lose their last seven wickets for 72 in 79 balls, giving the Panthers an 84-run win, and keeping Lions winless.Panthers won the toss and batted first; that has been a winning formula all tournament and it did not change in the only day game of this competition. Sirajuddin and Shaheen Shah Afridi gave Lions a perfect start with four early wickets, reducing Shadab’s side to 51 for 4, but a remarkable middle-order recovery got the innings back on track.The next 211 runs came at over a run a ball for the loss of just one wicket and Mubasir and Haider were on the path for well-deserved hundreds before falling short of that mark. A cameo from Shadab ensured Panthers posed an imposing total, even if a late mini-collapse saw them bowled out in under 47 overs.Mohammad Hasnain, enjoying a solid tournament, gave his side another good start with Sajjad Ali’s wicket in the first over. His contribution extended to the fielding, running-out Omair Yousuf to leave Lions 44 for 3. But a counterattacking knock from Imam got Lions back into the driving seat, as he went after spin and pace alike.But from the moment Shadab returned and drew an edge from the opener that Usman Khan latched onto, Lions’ resistance fell apart. Usama Mir and Shadab got stuck into the middle order, which could not replicate the role of their counterparts. Hasnain returned to clean Sirajuddin up to seal a convincing win and maintain the status quo of no chasing side winning in this tournament.
The Test will start on September 18, with the rest day slotted for September 21 because of the presidential elections
Madushka Balasuriya23-Aug-2024The first Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Test, starting September 18 in Galle, has six days allocated to it, with a rest day thrown in to accommodate the country’s presidential elections on September 21. The series is of two Tests, which are part of the 2023-2025 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.This will be the first instance of a rest day in a Test match since the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test in Dhaka in 2008, which accommodated a rest day because of the parliamentary elections.The last rest day to occur in Sri Lanka, meanwhile, was back in December 2001, in a Test against Zimbabwe. This was down to the occurrence of a full moon, a day being a public holiday in the largely Buddhist nation. Before gradually fading into oblivion, for all practical purposes, Sundays were rest days in Tests in England, well into the 1990s.New Zealand and Sri Lanka last faced each other in a Test series at the start of 2023, which New Zealand won 2-0 at home. New Zealand last toured Sri Lanka in 2019, drawing the Test series 1-1 and winning 2-1 in the T20Is.New Zealand will tour Sri Lanka after playing a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida in what is busy summer of cricket for them. Before the end of the year, New Zealand will also have Test series against India and England, before Sri Lanka make a return tour to New Zealand towards the end of December for three T20Is and three ODIs.
2025 has been the year of the returning hero at Celtic Park so far.
Kieran Tierney has returned to Celtic, six years after departing, following in the footsteps of Jota, who re-joined the Hoops during the January transfer window.
So now, could Brendan Rodgers, who is no stranger to a Glasgow return himself, be re-united with a star he once labelled one of Europe’s best young players?
The reaction to Kieran Tierney's Celtic return
After completing his return to his boyhood club last week, Tierney said it “feels amazing” to be back, adding “my ambition is just for Celtic to be as successful as possible”.
Rodgers too exclaimed that he’s “delighted” to add a “talented and high-quality” player to his squad, while Tierney is unquestionably a fans’ favourite in Glasgow’s East End, having come through the academy to make 170 appearances for the club during his first spell, winning 11 major trophies.
So, while there is major excitement about seeing the left-back bedecked in green and white hoops once again, could an even bigger talent also be back later this summer?
Celtic's search for a new striker
Tierney’s return to Parkhead this summer has been met with glee, but when has a left-back ever been more exciting than a new striker? Arguably never.
The Scot has the potential to come back and be a roaring success down the left channels, carving out goalscoring opportunities at will for teammates, but who will be on the end of his teasing balls into the box? Well, another Celtic return could be on the cards and it’s more eye-catching than Tierney.
Indeed, as noted by Ryan McDonald of the Daily Record, Celtic could re-sign striker Odsonne Édouard this summer, with ex-Celtic midfielder Scott Allan believing the club shouldn’t think twice if they are able to add a “fantastic player” to their ranks.
The striker initially arrived at Parkhead on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, scoring on his debut against Hamilton Academical at New Douglas Park, before his move was made permanent the following summer, costing a then-club-record £9m.
In total, Édouard scored 87 goals in 179 appearances for the Celts, numbers that are comparable with the club’s other great centre-forwards of modern times.
Kyōgo
165
85
126
Giakoumakis
57
26
97
Édouard
179
87
140
Dembélé
94
51
120
Griffiths
262
123
118
Hooper
138
82
136
The numbers above rubberstamp why he was more exciting than Tierney in green and white, with only Leigh Griffiths having scored more goals for Celtic since Henrik Larsson’s departure in 2004, with the Scotland international doing so in 83 more appearances.
Former Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard.
Édouard ultimately departed for Crystal Palace in August 2021, costing around £18.5m, scoring 21 times for the Eagles, including bagging a memorable double on his debut against Tottenham, but his career has gone off the rails in the last year or so.
Not in Oliver Glasner’s pre-season plans, the Frenchman joined Leicester City on a season-long loan last summer, but this has to go down as one of the most disastrous loan spells of all time, now valued at just £7m by Transfermarkt.
Appearances
6
Minutes
113
Starts
1
Matches an unused sub
3
Matched not in the squad
31
Total matches
40
Édouard was completely frozen out by both Steve Cooper and Ruud van Nistelrooy at Leicester, most recently a substitute on Boxing Day, his last appearance coming on 10 November, while his one and only start for the club came in the Carabao Cup at Walsall in September.
Odsonne-EdouardOdsonne-Edouard
As outlined by John Percy of the Telegraph, having featured for both Palace and Leicester in 2024/25, FIFA regulations stipulate that he was unable to represent a third club in the same season.
Thus, Édouard remained stranded in the proverbial wilderness from January onwards, despite the fact the Foxes broke all sorts of records when it came to not scoring, most notably losing eight successive Premier League home games to nil, an unprecedentedly miserable run.
Nevertheless, still 27 years old, the striker certainly still has plenty to offer.
When Édouard signed permanently for Celtic in the first place, Rodgers labelled him one of European football’s “elite young talents”. While he may not still be too young, he still has elite potential, particularly if it took him to Scotland again.
Still searching for a Kyōgo Furuhashi replacement, if the Frenchman becomes available at a cut-price, this would surely be a no-brainer.
More exciting than Tierney: Celtic expected to complete "no-brainer" deal
Celtic are expected to seal the signing of a star who would be more exciting than Kieran Tierney.
da betano casino： A estrela de Marcos Leonardo brilhou mais uma vez. O camisa 9 do Santos foi o responsável foi marcar o gol da virada por 2 a 1 diante do Palmeiras neste domingo (8), na Arena Barueri, em partida válida pela 26ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.
RelacionadasFora de CampoTorcedores do Palmeiras questionam Abel Ferreira contra o Santos: ‘Teimoso’Fora de Campo08/10/2023SantosTomás Rincón cumpre expectativa, assume faixa de capitão do Santos e lidera reaçãoSantos08/10/2023BrasileirãoTabus e redenções: Palmeiras x Santos pode ser ponto de virada ou catástrofeBrasileirão08/10/2023
da 888casino： + Confira a classificação do Campeonato Brasileiro
Porém o bom momento não é de hoje. Marcos Leonardo é o artilheiro do Peixe na temporada, com 12 gols em 20 jogos do Brasileirão. O poder de decisão do jovem centroavante vem sendo fundamental para a recuperação do Santos na competição nacional, visto que nas três vitórias consecutivas do Alvinegro, o camisa 9 balançou a rede em todas – não foi diferente neste domingo.
+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000
Marcos foi o autor do gol que quebrou um tabu de quatro anos do Peixe contra o Palmeiras – o último triunfo diante do rival havia sido apenas em 2019. O Menino da Vila, que marcou quatro gols nas últimas três partidas, é a “cara” da retomada do Peixe contra o rebaixamento, e vem reforçando o seu papel fundamental a cada confronto.
Além de ter marcado o gol da virada, o centroavante de 20 anos alcançou outra importante marca pelo Alvinegro. Ele entrou na seleta lista dos 50 maiores artilheiros da história do Peixe justamente no dia em que balançou a rede pela primeira vez contra o Palmeiras. Ao total, são 157 jogos e 53 bolas na rede com a camisa santista.
+ Tomás Rincón cumpre expectativa, assume faixa de capitão do Santos e lidera reação
Com a vitória, o Santos chegou a sua terceira vitória seguida e subiu para a 14ª posição do Brasileirão, com 30 pontos, três a mais que o Vasco, primeiro time na zona de rebaixamento. O Peixe só volta a campo no dia 20 de outubro (sexta-feira), após a parada da Data Fifa, para encarar o Bragantino. A bola rola às 19h (de Brasília), na Vila Belmiro.
da dobrowin： Liverpool are not resting on their laurels after they won the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first season in England, having joined from Feyenoord last summer.
da lvbet： The Reds boss has already added Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen to bolster his squad, whilst Milos Kerkez is set to be confirmed as their latest signing from Bournemouth.
These moves show that the Reds want to build on their success to push on and compete for even more trophies in Slot’s second season at Anfield.
Of course, signing new stars in several positions also means that some players may have to be moved on to make space in the squad, as Jarell Quansah is reportedly set to leave the club.
Jarell Quansah for Liverpool
Fabrizio Romano claims that Bayer Leverkusen have agreed a deal that could be worth up to £35m to sign the England U21 international this summer.
Why selling Jarell Quansah makes sense for Liverpool
Selling a homegrown, 22-year-old, England U21 international may not make much sense at face value, given that he is valuable for the homegrown quota and has plenty of room left to improve.
However, the Reds are in win-now mode after their Premier League success and with the likes of Alisson, Mo Salah, and Virgil van Dijk in the latter stages of their respective careers.
Unfortunately, Quansah has not proven that he has the quality to be a key player when called upon in the Premier League for Liverpool, given his performances for the team in the 2024/25 campaign.
The English youngster was handed a start against Ipswich Town on the opening day of the top-flight season, but was hauled off for Ibrahima Konate at half-time.
After the match, Slot explained that it was because he lost too many duels, telling TNT Sports: “First thing I said is we don’t have to speak about tactics if we lose so many duels and that was what we did. Not that Jarell [Quansah] lost every duel – many of us lost too many duels. But I think we needed Ibou Konate to win these long balls in the air from their No.9.”
24/25 Premier League
Jarell Quansah
Appearances
13
Starts
4
Error led to shot
1
Error led to goal
0
Penalties committed
1
Ground duel success rate
47%
Aerial duel success rate
41%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, losing duels was a theme for Quansah throughout the Premier League campaign, as he lost the majority of his battles on the ground and in the air.
The 22-year-old defender, who has lost 53% of his ground duels in the U21 Euros for England this summer, has not shown enough strength as a centre-back to compete week-in-week-out for Liverpool, which is why cashing in on him makes sense at this moment in time.
Premier League club eyeing up Liverpool midfielder
Quansah may not be the only England U21 international to move on from Anfield before the end of the summer transfer window, though, as Harvey Elliott is now being eyed up by a Premier League.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to Football Insider, Brighton & Hove Albion are interested in a move to sign the former Fulham prodigy from Liverpool to bolster their midfield options.
The report claims that the Seagulls are confident that they can agree a deal with the Reds to bring the left-footed star over to the AMEX this summer, and that they are one of the frontrunners to land his signature.
Harvey Elliott celebrates for Liverpool
It adds that Brighton are capable of matching Liverpool’s £40m valuation of the English playmaker, and it now remains to be seen when they will make an official swoop for his services.
Why Harvey Elliott would be a bigger loss than Jarell Quansah
Losing Elliott would be a bigger blow than losing Quansah this summer because he is more suited to making an impact on the pitch in the here and now.
Harvey Elliott celebrates for Liverpool
As aforementioned, the central defender has been disappointing when called upon at the back for the Reds, which is why it makes sense to move him on, but that has not been the case with the attacking midfielder.
When given opportunities to impress, the 22-year-old star has shown plenty of promise for the Reds, with five goals and three assists in 28 appearances in the 2024/25 campaign.
The England U21 international, who has scored two goals in four games at the Euros this summer, also produced four goals and 11 assists in all competitions for the Reds in Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Anfield.
Vs attacking midfielders & wingers in the Big 5 Leagues
Last 365 days
Harvey Elliott p90
Percentile rank
Non-penalty goals
0.66
Top 1%
Assists
0.33
Top 14%
npxG + xAG
0.60
Top 15%
Shot-creating actions
4.48
Top 23%
Progressive passes
8.80
Top 2%
Passes made
64.76
Top 2%
Stats via FBref
As you can see in the table above, Elliott has been particularly impressive over the past 365 days when called upon by Slot, ranking highly among his positional peers in a host of attacking and possession-based metrics.
These statistics show that the young attacking midfielder offers a lot of value on the ball as a player who can score and create goals, whilst also progressing the play with his passes, which is why it would be a blow to lose him from the squad this summer.
Harvey Elliott celebrates for Liverpool
Whilst he may not be a frontline option who is likely to start 50 games next season, his form in the last couple of years shows that he is a very good squad player who can be relied upon when needed, as a starter or off the bench.
This is why losing him to Brighton this summer would be a bigger blow than Quansah’s move to Leverkusen, as the centre-back has not proven himself to be as valuable to the team.
He'd be unplayable with Gordon: Liverpool submit bid to sign £64m forward
Liverpool are planning to sign a new striker this summer.
It is no secret that Arsenal are actively in the market for a new attacking player or two for Mikel Arteta this summer, with the Gunners now urged to make a move for one highly-rated forward who’s reportedly on Andrea Berta’s list.
Arsenal targeting new winger with "numerous talks" held
Bukayo Saka’s lengthy injury absence midway through 2024/2025, combined with uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of Leandro Trossard, has seemingly pushed Arsenal into considering the signing of a winger.
Arsenal talks could advance in "next few days" as Berta eyes £59m signing
The Gunners have been in contact this week.
By
Emilio Galantini
Jun 5, 2025
The Belgian is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract in north London, and there are even some suggestions that Arsenal would also entertain suitable bids for Gabriel Martinelli, who is valued at around £50 million, so Arteta’s wide options could look slightly different by the time we reach 2025/2026.
In terms of potential incomings, talks have been held over a deal for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who is considered the “dream signing” by Arsenal in that position, but negotiations are proving complicated due to wage demands (Florian Plettenberg).
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)
Money on new signings
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
That being said, Rodrygo is by no means their only option, with Berta holding “numerous talks” over many targets, including Atalanta star Ademola Lookman.
The Nigerian is reportedly valued at around £42 million, which could prove to be a bargain considering his exploits in Serie A over the last two seasons.
Lookman’s devastating performance in the 2024 Europa League final ended Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten run, and he’s fresh off scoring 20 goals in all competitions for Atalanta over the season just gone.
Atalanta's AdemolaLookmanin action
Multiple reports have claimed that Arsenal have held talks over a move for Lookman, with club legend Ian Wright now urging Berta to seal a deal.
Ian Wright urges Arsenal to sign Ademola Lookman after alleged talks
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast this week, the N5 icon expressed his admiration for Lookman’s journey to the top, branding him a “top” player.
Wright also urged Arsenal to sign Lookman before the start of next season, explaining exactly why he believes the African would do an excellent job under Arteta.
“I’m going to go with Ademola Lookman winning the African Player of the Year in respects of that man’s journey,” said Wright.
Atalanta's Davide Zappacosta celebrates scoring their fifth goal with AdemolaLookman
“I remember him from Charlton, it didn’t work out, £10 million to Everton, then moving all over the place, the journey from loan to this, then I think that’s one of the most devastating performances I’ve seen in any final with that hat-trick he scored.
“I hope we can buy him, Arsenal. I would love someone like him to come back to the Premier League and say, ‘listen, I have unfinished business here, so I am going to help Arsenal win the league’.
“But I just admire his journey, and now he’s recognised rightly as a top player, unbelievable.”