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Aston Villa will be hoping they can better their fortunes this season as the second half of the 2024/25 campaign rolls around. Unai Emery’s side have not quite been at their best so far, and have perhaps struggled with the demands of Champions League football.

That is something which might explain why they are eighth in the Premier League, with just 32 points to their name and a surprising minus-two goal difference. Things could certainly have gone better for the Villans, although they did start 2025 with a 2-1 win over Leicester City.

To give themselves a better chance of a successful season, Energy’s side could well dip into the transfer market this January. They reportedly have their sights set on a reinforcement to cover several bases.

Aston Villa’s January transfer news

The player in question here is Japanese attacker Taisei Miyashiro. The 24-year-old has impressed at his current club Vissel Kobe, and could depart the club over the winter transfer window.

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 journalist Graeme Bailey, the former Japan under-20 international ‘is wanted by Aston Villa in January’, as Emery searches for reinforcements ahead of a busy few weeks, with a deal having seemingly ‘taken a step forward’ of late.

This comes just days after a report broke that the Villans are targeting Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen, although it remains to be seen if the deals are separate.

In any case, Villa News explain that the Midlands club are hoping for a loan move with the option to buy Miyashiro at the end of the season.

Why Miyashiro would be a good signing

The 24-year-old is an incredibly versatile player. Miyashiro would be a good fit under Emery at Villa Park because of his ability to fill a few roles in his famed 4-2-2-2 system, which has seen so much success so far during his tenure.

That is to say, during his time at Vissel Kobe so far, Miyashiro has played as a midfielder, a left winger and a centre forward according to Transfermarkt. He operates in the left half-space a lot and does contribute to goals.

He has played 46 times for the club so far and has a really impressive 18 goals and one assist in that time.

In the 2024 Japanese first division, he scored 11 times in 32 games, an impressive return indeed. As journalist David Wyatt-Hupton said, he is an “extremely talented” player.

His stats on Sofascore from the 2024 J1 League also make for impressive reading. The 24-year-old has a 22% conversion rate and averages 1.6 shots per game, creating five big chances which suggests he is unlucky not to have more than one assist.

Miyashiro also works hard without the ball, winning an average of 4.1 duels per game.

He could form a deadly partnership with Morgan Rogers if the Villans get this deal over the line. It has been an excellent season for the Englishman so far, with Jamie Carragher describing him as a “machine” and an “unstoppable” force for the Midlands club.

The England international has six goals and three assists in 19 Premier League games this term, and his ball-carrying ability is a standout feature of his game. As per Sofascore, he averages 2.1 dribbles per game.

This could lead to some interesting rotations in attack for the Villans. With Rogers starting as a number 10 and Miyashiro leading the line, the Japanese star could drop deeper into the left-half space and create room for Rogers to burst past him with the ball at his feet.

The Villans number 27 is also a creative player in the final third, and has created seven big chances this season. Adding someone like Miyashiro to the attack, who scored 11 league goals in 2024, might only increase his assist output and help Villa improve their goal difference.

Given this is a loan move with the option to make it permanent at the end of the season, it seems risk-free for Villa. As the stats suggest, Miyashiro is a versatile and talented player, and he could make a real difference for Emery’s side as they look to climb the Premier League.

6 players who could join or leave Aston Villa in January

Aston Villa will be aiming to make a few signings and sell some players this January.

By
Ross Kilvington

Jan 9, 2025

Kevin De Bruyne has been tipped to return to Chelsea with William Gallas hailing him as "one of the best" behind Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo.

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• De Bruyne set for Man City exit
• Still eager to play in the English top-flight
• Gallas believes Chelsea reunion may be on the cards

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  De Bruyne’s current contract with City is set to expire in the summer and the Belgian is already in his final chapter in Manchester. As interest builds from abroad, particularly from Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League, the 32-year-old remains open about what lies ahead, and even if it means joining a Premier League rival.

  After City's win over Palace, De Bruyne said: "I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I want to play on, so we’ll see where I can end up. I don’t know how I’m going to feel, I’ve been here so long, my family has been here for 10 years, my kids were born in Manchester, lived their whole life here. It’s going to be something different for them.

  "I think they’re a bit scared, excited, but it’s a bit of an unknown because we don’t know what’s going to happen for the moment. But I want to enjoy, play good football like I did today, and for the rest, I’ll be fine. If I can play football and my family is happy, I’m good."

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  De Bruyne’s career in English football actually began with Chelsea. Signed in 2012, he only made nine appearances for the Blues before being loaned out to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen. There, he flourished, tallying 20 goals and assists in just 36 games. Despite his strong loan spell, Chelsea decided to sell De Bruyne to Wolfsburg for £18 million in 2014. It was there that he cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s top creative forces, prompting City to bring him back to the Premier League in 2015.

• WHAT GALLAS SAID

  Now, with the sun setting on De Bruyne’s glittering tenure at City, Gallas believes a dramatic return to Chelsea might not be out of the question.

  "Maybe he could go to Chelsea, why not? But he has to be sure. He might want to go somewhere that he knows he can win trophies. So, that would all depend on Chelsea's recruitment of a striker," he said in an interview with

  "Bayern Munich? Maybe he could go there. If he wants to win more trophies, he could go there. If he still wants to play in the Premier League, why not? No way he'll go to Liverpool, Man United or Arsenal. Even if he knows Mikel Arteta he can’t go there . It will be hard to manage 2 playmakers and I'm sure he has some offers."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Should De Bruyne part ways with City this summer, he’ll leave behind a legacy few players in the club’s history can match. With six Premier League titles, five Carabao Cups, two FA Cups, and a Champions League triumph to his name, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever wear the sky blue shirt.

Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi is feeling “good” after being rested again in MLS.

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• Argentine's workload being managed
• Sat out dramatic clash with FC Dallas
• Ready for semi-final action in midweek

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner played no part in a dramatic clash with FC Dallas at Chase Stadium. The Herons led that contest 3-1 at one stage, but three goals in the space of 17 minutes turned the tie on its head.

  Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now

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  Inter Miami have lost their unbeaten record in MLS this season, with Messi taking in regular breaks from competitive action. Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets also sat out the meeting with Dallas.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Messi’s game time has been carefully managed as the Argentine has been nursing muscle problems. The all-time great is, however, clear of any injuries at present and should be raring to go for the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final tie with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

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  WHAT JAVIER MASCHERANO SAID

  Mascherano told reporters when asked about his talismanic captain: “Leo is good. Obviously we decided, like many of our team-mates, to reserve him after the game against Vancouver where we had to travel for six to seven hours and play on synthetic grass. But he's good, he trained today so he's ready.”

Liverpool have enjoyed a seamless transition from Jurgen Klopp’s long-lasting dynasty to the new system employed by Arne Slot.

So much hinged on FSG’s success plan, but while they have their flaws, the owners have to be applauded for navigating a critical moment and coming out on top.

Quite literally. Liverpool are first-placed in the Premier League and have also won all seven matches in the Champions League, a trip to PSV Eindhoven away from enjoying a flawless trip through the revamped group phase.

How remarkable that the Reds have only bolstered their first team with Federico Chiesa, signed from Juventus for a bargain £12.5m fee and, so far, making just seven appearances across all competitions.

Plenty of transfer chatter has centred around forwards and full-backs, but Liverpool could actually do with another midfielder. Hear us out.

Why Liverpool need another midfielder

Liverpool have a balanced and dynamic squad, evidently, for they have probably been the best team in Europe this season, certainly fortifying that claim with a glance toward the league standings in domestic and continental areas.

Ryan Gravenberch has been the nucleus of all that’s been good for Slot’s project, starting every single match in the Premier League and Champions League. He’s been hailed as “one of the best midfield players” in the game right now by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher.

But he’s been overworked, to be sure. The deep-sitting midfielder has played more minutes (2,510) than any other Liverpool midfielder this term, with Wataru Endo and Tyler Morton unfavoured for starting berths on the big stage.

Liverpool should invest in a new maestro, one who can serve as the Netherlands talent’s foil, providing similar positional value but with their own take on the role.

Xabi Alonso, for example, would be perfect for Slot’s system. Back in his heyday as a player, the iconic Spain star dominated for a number of top European clubs – notably Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich – with a supreme range of passing and an erudite tactical mind.

Well, as Liverpool search for a fresh face to ease Gravenberch’s workload, they might look to sign Slot his own version, custom-built for the Dutchman’s specific project.

Liverpool lining up Bayern Munich star

According to Sport BILD reporter Tobi Altschäffl, Liverpool are discussing the idea of signing Joshua Kimmich, though the most likely scenario is that he will extend his contract with Bayern Munich.

Kimmich, 29, becomes a free agent at the end of the campaign and would be the perfect option to complete Liverpool’s rich and balanced midfield, though the Germany skipper would take a significant seat on the wage bill given that he pockets £316k per week right now.

While it’s felt that Kimmich is leaning toward extending his stay at the Allianz Arena, Liverpool will be emboldened by their shifting ahead of Man City, and if he does decide to move abroad, Anfield would only be too happy to oblige his wishes.

Transfer Focus

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

What Joshua Kimmich would bring to Slot's system

Alonso served dutifully on Merseyside, enjoying four illustrious campaigns under primarily Rafa Benitez’s wing, lifting the Champions League and FA Cup, before joining Real Madrid in August 2009 for £30m.

Kimmich – hailed by Julian Nagelsmann as a “world-class” deep-sitting midfielder – is perhaps cut from a similar cloth from a ball-playing perspective, having achieved an exemplary 90.3% career average for pass completion, as per WhoScored, also averaging 2.1 key passes per game, club and country.

Alonso’s career metrics aren’t comprehensively covered by the stats-focused site, but he did produce an 87.7% pass success rate and averaged 1.6 key passes per game between 2009/20 and 2016/17 when he hung up the boots.

Though Liverpool don’t typically sign players at Kimmich’s age, an exception could surely be made given that he is one of the world’s foremost players in his position, would be available on a free transfer and, crucially, could cohabit the number six position with Gravenberch.

Gravenberch is an excellent player, but he’s not made from the same mould as Alonso, and though Slot’s construction works perfectly, this added dimension would give a coach who’s already earned his stripes something different to play around with.

In other words, it would enrich and layer the Liverpool squad even further.

Looking at Gravenberch and Kimmich’s respective league statistics for the current campaign, you can clearly see the differentials in regard to creative numbers, with Liverpool’s man less of an overt playmaker and instead a source of energy and press resistance and control.

Kimmich offers such qualities too, but he makes less than half the amount of dribbles as Gravenberch and instead sits more solidly as the midfield anchor point, pulling strings. Much like Alonso.

Such an able passer would be perfect for the lightning-fast transitional play that became a staple of Klopp’s career and has lingered still on Anfield’s pitch.

Gravenberch is of course one of the best players in Liverpool’s squad, but Slot is eking out every modicum of his quality this season and an experienced head in Kimmich could allow for more depth, ensuring success can be chased across multiple competitions.

With Alonso-esque properties, Kimmich would be a bona fide success on Merseyside.

Most talented CF since Suarez: Liverpool in talks to sign £25m "monster"

Liverpool are gearing up to sign a new striker this year as Darwin Nunez continues to split opinion.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jan 21, 2025

Gabby Agbonlahor has slammed Manchester United, questioning their Champions League readiness as they try to qualify by winning the Europa League.

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• Man Utd could still reach Champions League
• Agbonlahor doubts their ability to compete
• Urged stars to step up against Athletic Club

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former Aston Villa star has cast doubt on United's ability to compete in Europe's top club competition next season as they continue their bid to earn a place. He believes the current squad is not up to par and would be embarrassed next season unless huge improvements are made in the summer transfer window. Agbonlahor also suggested that a large number of players are playing for their futures under manager Ruben Amorim, urging them to "just do your job" and avoid mistakes in their crucial Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club.

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  United's season has been plagued by inconsistency and underperformance in the Premier League, leaving their Champions League qualification hopes hanging in the balance. While a Europa League triumph would secure a spot in next season's competition, concerns remain about the squad's overall quality and ability to compete with the continent's very best.

• WHAT GABBY AGBONLAHOR SAID

  Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor said: "As much as Manchester United want to get into the Champions League this year, are they ready? Would they get the players in time before the season starts to build a squad to not embarrass themselves in the Champions League? Because the squad that we've got now would not do well in the Champions League."

  Discussing under-fire goalkeeper Andre Onana and United's other underperforming stars, Agbonlahor added: "Can you have a quiet game tonight [against Athletic Club]? Can you just do your job? Can you not make any mistakes? Can you not take too many risks playing from the back as well? There's a lot of players that are probably playing for their future as well."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  United face Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday evening, needing a positive result to take back to Old Trafford for the second leg next week. Beyond the immediate fixture and the end of the Premier League season, the club faces a crucial summer of recruitment, with Amorim keen to overhaul his squad after another disappointing domestic campaign.

The pressure is off under-fire Rangers manager Philippe Clement, for now at least.

On Thursday night, his team booked their place in the Europa League round of 16 by beating Royale Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 at Ibrox, with Nicolas Raskin heading in the opener, before Václav Černý stroked home the all-important second shortly after half time.

The Light Blues ended the league phase with an impressive points tally of 14, despite, as Clement himself noted, the fact they faced four of the seven sides who finished above them.

The Gers’ Europa League form is once again keeping spirits high, in spite of their, at best, patchy domestic results, but could they sign one of the Scottish Premiership’s best young talents before Monday’s transfer deadline?

Rangers seeking to sign young Scottish talent

As reported by Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Rangers have ‘held talks…over a pre-contract agreement’ with Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron.

Cameron is out of contract in the summer, meaning Rangers would only have to pay compensation for his services, with his manager Tony Docherty describing him as “extremely talented”, adding “it is no surprise when a player like that is out of contract… there will be interest”.

However, there is speculation that the Gers could push to get this deal done in January, with new CEO Patrick Stewart stating the club plan to “accelerate the signing of a player that we were planning anyway”, so could it be Cameron he is referring to?

Transfer Focus

Meantime, speaking on the Scottish Football Social Club on Premier Sports, former Hibs and Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart described Cameron’s potential move as financially low-risk, both in terms of compensation fee as well as wages, while Scottish football writer Kai Watson believes he “has the potential to play at a higher level than the Scottish Premiership”.

Where Lyall Cameron would fit in at Rangers

The 22-year-old has proved to be very versatile this season, deployed all across midfield, although he has particularly shown in the centre of the park.

Well, as it happens, Rangers may have a vacancy in that position because Ianis Hagi, who’s started 11 of the last 12 Premiership matches, is out of contract in the summer and, according to Sahil Jaidka of Sky Sports News, the Romanian is “yet to be offered” a new one.

So, let’s assess how the pair compare.

Of course, Hagi has played around 1,000 fewer minutes this season, as he recovered from long term injury, hence why he wasn’t included in Rangers’ UEFA squad.

His two goals this season have come in rather contrasting circumstances, scoring against Stenhousemuir in the SPFL Trust Trophy, in front of 525 fans at Forthbank, before netting from distance in front of 100 times that number during a famous Glasgow derby victory in early January.

Cameron does though compare favourably to the Romanian international, scoring more goals and providing more assists, creating just one fewer chance, while playing for a substantially worse side; Rangers average 62.29% possession this season, while Dundee average 45.26%.

All of these statistics suggest Cameron is ready to make the step-up, and would be an excellent, low-cost signing for Rangers, while representing the dream replacement for Hagi should he depart.

Better than Cerny: Rangers' 35-touch dynamo may have saved his Ibrox career

Rangers secured a spot in the last-16 with a 2-1 win over USG.

By
Ross Kilvington

Jan 31, 2025

Where on earth do Manchester City go from here?

On Tuesday night, despite leading twice, the Sky Blues were beaten 3-2 by Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League tie, with Jude Bellingham bundling home a stoppage-time winner at the Etihad.

As noted by OptaJoe on Twitter, this is the fifth time the Citizens have lost a game this season in which they were in front, more than across the previous four campaigns combined.

Thus, this leaves Pep Guardiola’s team with a mountain to climb at the Bernabéu next Wednesday, reaching, at least, the Champions League quarter-finals in each of the last seven seasons, a streak that appears set to come to an end.

Man City’s continued poor form means their transfer decisions are coming under ever more intense scrutiny, especially considering a former player was key to their downfall this week.

Brahim Díaz: Man City's forgotten former man

When Brahim Díaz equalised for Real Madrid and did not celebrate, this was the moment the majority of onlookers remembered he used to be a Man City player.

Former Manchester United, Wimbledon and Coventry forward Terry Gibson described Díaz’s decision not to celebrate as “bizarre”, suggesting most supporters inside the stadium would not have known who he was.

That’s because, despite being on Man City’s books for four years, the Morocco international made just 15 senior appearances, totalling a mere 415 minutes, all four of his starts for the club coming in the Carabao Cup, before joining Real Madrid for a reported £15.5m in 2019.

Still only 25-years-old, Díaz is yet to establish himself as a regular at Madrid either, 16 of his 30 appearances this season coming as a substitute, although Graham Ruthven of Total Soccer Show believes he is under-utilised by Carlo Ancelotti given that, when he is given an opportunity, he adds “cohesion” to Real Madrid’s often chaotic forward-line.

While Guardiola may have been regretting his decision to sanction Diaz’s exit last night, nevertheless, there is another former Man City winger shining right now and it’s likely the manager will rue this one just a little bit more…

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

Man City made a mistake selling their superstar winger

Having been a key part of Leicester City’s title-winning team, Riyad Mahrez joined Manchester City for a reported £60m in 2018, a club-record fee at the time, and he would go on to make 236 appearances in Sky Blue, scoring 78 goals and winning 11 major honours.

His former teammate at Leicester Kasper Schmeichel described the Algerian winger as “incredible” but, after five seasons in Manchester, Mahrez was sold to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli for a reported £30.4m in July 2023.

Playing alongside Roberto Firmino, Ivan Toney and Galeno in Jeddah, Asian football expert John Duerden for the Guardian notes that Mahrez has not been at his best this season, having racked up more assists than anyone else in the Saudi Pro League during his first campaign in the Middle East, accumulating 13.

Nevertheless, his form has picked up in recent weeks, taking his tally to nine goals and 12 assists for the season by bagging one of each against Al-Sadd in the AFC Champions League during a 3-1 victory, meaning he ranks joint-first in that competition for assists, alongside Oscar.

So, let’s assess how his numbers compare to Man City’s current forward options.

As the table outlines, Mahrez is outperforming all of Man City’s wingers and attacking midfielders in terms of pure goals and assists, with the obvious caveat that he is playing at a lower level; Global Football Rankings believe the Premier League to be the strongest in the world, with the Saudi Pro League ranked at 31st, just below France’s second-tier Ligue 2, for context.

Pete Hall of the i Paper labelled Savinho “the new Mahrez” following Man City’s 4-1 win over West Ham, although the Brazilian is not putting up Mahrez-esque stats just yet, so were the Sky Blues right to cash in when they did? Would they be in a better place if they still had him?

It’s hard to say but it was certainly a bigger blunder than Diaz, who he is outperforming even at the age of 33.

Man City have struck gold on special star who's worth more than Bellingham

Jude Bellingham came up clutch but Manchester City still have the most valuable player in Europe.

By
Matt Dawson

Feb 12, 2025

Derby County look to be edging closer to appointing John Eustace with Blackburn Rovers now resigned to their boss talking to the Rams over a potential switch.

Indeed, it has now been confirmed by the Riversiders – via their X account – that the 45-year-old is eyeing a move away from Ewood Park to return to familiar surroundings in Pride Park, having previously finished his playing days pulling on a Rams shirt.

This will come as a major blow to Blackburn who are sat in the Championship playoff positions under the ex-Birmingham City manager.

Meanwhile, Derby languish near the foot of the division after Paul Warne had guided his lowly team to seven straight league defeats before being binned.

With Eustace in charge, the aim will no doubt be to rise up the league standings away from any relegation trouble, with this dream XI below what the Solihull-born boss could prefer if he is to take on the reins shortly…

1

GK – Jacob Widell Zetterstrom

In the goalkeeper position, Eustace is likely to persist with Swedish shot-stopper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom with the summer buy starring in patches this season for his relegation-threatened team.

Indeed, Zetterstrom has five clean sheets next to his name and has performed valiantly even as his side went on that lengthy losing streak, with seven saves amassed away at Cardiff City towards the back end of January.

2

RB – Ryan Nyambe

The first change could see Ryan Nyambe reinstated into the starting XI at the right-back spot after finding himself dropped for Derby’s last outing away at Norwich City.

After all, Eustace might view the ex-Blackburn man’s experience of the level as a big plus in trying to keep his new side afloat in the second tier, with Nyambe up to 196 career appearances in the Championship.

3

CB – Sondre Klingen Langås

Eustace would have loved to enter the building with Eiran Cashin still at his disposal, but the main Rams titan at the back has now departed his boyhood employers for a shot in the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Therefore, the potential new Rams boss will have to make do with fresh centre-back recruit Sondre Klingen Langås instead, who did impress in flashes at Carrow Road last match.

2025 winter transfer window: Every done deal from the Championship

Every winter transfer from the second tier can be found here.

By
Stephan Georgiou

Feb 3, 2025

Costing £4m to obtain from his native Norway, it seems as if Langas is the natural successor to Cashin, with three clearances registered and one duel won in Norfolk.

4

CB – Nathaniel Phillips

He will likely be partnered by Liverpool loanee Nathaniel Phillips in a four-at-the-back formation, moving away from the five-at-the-back on show versus Norwich.

Whilst the 27-year-old is yet to pick up a clean sheet this season in the Championship, he has also impressed those watching on in spurts when times have been tough, with eight duels won away at Bristol City right at the start of January even as Derby fell to a slim 1-0 loss.

5

LB – Callum Elder

Another change defensively could come at the left-back spot, as a Warne favourite in Ben Osborn – who has been present 22 times in the league this campaign even as an ageing 30-year-old – is axed for promotion-winner Callum Elder.

Across that promotion-winning season, Elder was a utility member of the squad Warne could depend on, with the ex-Hull City man winning a high 4.3 duels per game this campaign when chucked into the team.

6

CM – Ebou Adams

With Eustace’s preference for a 4-2-3-1 formation coming into play here, he will want a tough, no-nonsense midfield presence in his ranks to shore up the defence and he has just that in Derby battler Ebou Adams.

The former Cardiff City midfielder has remarkably won 8.3 total duels a match in the second tier this season, alongside also being well-equipped to fire a goal home with four strikes tallied up.

7

CM – David Ozoh

Crystal Palace loanee David Ozoh looks likely to partner Adams in the central midfield area of the team, with the Eagles youngster also capable of rolling his sleeves up for the cause.

From his eight league appearances so far, Ozoh has won 5.6 duels per game with his promising showing against Norwich perhaps putting him in Eustace’s early good books, with seven ground duels successfully registered on top of completing all his dribbles when attempting to instigate a Derby attack.

8

RM – Nathaniel Mendez Laing

Nathaniel Mendez Laing is in need of breathing life back into his playing days at Pride Park, having only picked up two goals and four assists so far this campaign after a whirlwind League one season prior.

Indeed, the ex-Cardiff winger tore the third tier to shreds with a stunning nine goals and 16 assists picked up, with Eustace now wanting to revive the “crucial” ace – as he was once labelled by football journalist Jacob Hackett – back to his frightening best.

9

CAM – Kenzo Goudmijn

With this formation switch in place, Eustace could be prepared to push promising Dutch midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn further up the field into a number ten spot.

After all, Goudmijn has one of his two Championship goals for the season from this more attacking-oriented role, with his creative flair to pick up two assists also lending itself to this new spot in the side.

Having been labelled as “incredibly talented” by football journalist Jake Barker back in December, the 23-year-old star could now potentially thrive under Eustace’s fresh ideas.

10

LM – Marcus Harness

Marcus Harness will be hoping that a new manager occupying the Pride Park dug-out means more game-time is handed his way, with his cameo against Norwich City last time out gifting his side a crucial last-minute penalty.

Only starting 13 of his 26 Championship games this campaign, he could be set for an extended period in the first team under Eustace, with the ex-Ipswich Town attacker also a promotion winner from this level in the past.

Weston McKennie has agreed a new contract at Juventus, but the reasons for the paperwork remaining unsigned have been explained.

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• Paperwork is ready to be signed
• Waiting on approval from board
• American won over coaches & fans

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 26-year-old United States international appeared destined to sever ties with the Bianconeri at one stage. He was banished from first-team training under Thiago Motta, but refused to throw in the towel and fought his way back into favour.

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  McKennie’s versatility has been put to good use in Turin, with his no-nonsense approach winning over previously sceptical coaching staff and fans. An extension to his current deal is now being lined up.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  A “complete agreement” is said to be in place, with a signature all that is required in order to complete that deal. It has surprised many that no official announcement on McKennie’s future has been made.

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  TELL ME MORE

  claims that is because the American’s contract is yet to receive “formal approval from the club’s board”. Juve are currently focused on securing a top-four finish in Serie A and Champions League qualification for 2025-26.

The Portuguese had been relying on winning the competition to make amends for his torrid time in charge, but now he has serious questions to answer

On the eve of the Europa League final, Ruben Amorim was asked whether it was strange that his opposite number Ange Postecoglou was under huge pressure at Tottenham while the Manchester United manager was not. Before he could answer, Bruno Fernandes hilariously interjected: "Who told you he's not? He is!" Well, he certainly is now, after United bungled their one shot at redemption by losing 1-0 to Spurs in Bilbao.

United were not just left with the pain of watching Tottenham lift the trophy in front of them, as they also had to contemplate the fact they had wasted a golden chance to return to the Champions League. And for only the second time in the last 36 years, they will have to make do without European football altogether next season.

The plus side for Amorim is that he will have more time to work on the training ground, which will be crucial for the players to properly understand his methods and master his 3-4-2-1 formation. The negative, however, is that he has no riposte and no excuse for overseeing the club's worst domestic season in half a century, and will have to explain to Sir Jim Ratcliffe why the club will not be getting the £100 million ($134m) pay day the part-owner had hoped for.

But while United were counting the cost of their defeat, Tottenham were savouring their first piece of silverware in 17 years and shedding the 'Spursy' tag that has dogged them for so long. They are, though, now left with a huge dilemma: move on from Ange Postecoglou or give the Australian another chance as a reward for ending their trophy drought?

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from San Mames…

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  WINNER: Ange Postecoglou

  Very few managers spend their press conference before a major final discussing their imminent sacking, and even fewer end up insisting that they are not "a clown". But Postecoglou has had the last laugh, whatever happens this summer.

  The Australian may have presided over Tottenham's worst-ever Premier League season, but he is also the club's first coach to win a major trophy since Juande Ramos in 2008, and the first to deliver a European trophy in 41 years. It is a legacy he will be very happy with, and so too will Tottenham fans, who have long lived by the words of their legendary coach Bill Nicholson, who famously declared "the game is all about glory".

  Postecoglou fiercely defended himself the day before the game, showing that he is above all a human being with emotions and feelings and that he does not take kindly to being put down constantly. On the pitch on Wednesday, his side showed how to fight.

  The coach made some bold decisions, above all benching his captain Son Heung-min, and in doing so he showed the courage Mauricio Pochettino had lacked with Harry Kane in the 2019 Champions League final when the striker had just returned from injury. Sure, the performance was anything but the buccaneering football Postecoglou is known for, but he got the job done while keeping his promise to win a trophy in his second season, as he has done throughout his long career in dugouts around the world.

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  LOSER: Ruben Amorim

  Amorim gave mixed messaging before the final about whether or not Champions League football would be beneficial to United or not, while he also considered the consequences of losing when he admitted: "It is going to be really bad, I don’t want to use that as an excuse and the patience of the fans and you guys next year if we don’t win. It is going to be on the limit."

  Well, he better get used to it. Amorim will now face the same scrutiny Postecoglou endured all season and the questions about whether or not he should remain in charge will ramp up. The Europa League campaign was the only thing keeping United's season interesting, and now that Harry Maguire's heroics against Lyon and Mason Mount's Federico Macheda moment against Athletic Club were all for nothing, Amorim's Premier League record will be pored over – and there is nowhere to hide.

  He has won just six of 26 Premier League games in charge, has not tasted victory since beating Leicester City in March and has only beaten teams that ended up relegated since January. Amorim has a lower points-per-game ratio in the English top-flight than Paul Jewell, the man who presided over the league's worst ever campaign at Derby County. When Amorim took charge United were seven points from the top four; now they are 27 points adrift.

  The former Sporting CP coach would rather have taken the job this summer than be parachuted into the middle of the season, but he ultimately chose to accept the role and has to live with the consequences. It is hard not to contrast his miserable job with that of Oliver Glasner, who took over at Crystal Palace midway through last season, changed the style of play while adopting a 3-4-2-1 formation and got almost instant results before winning the FA Cup just a year later.

  Amorim did at least front up and admit after the game that he had "nothing to show to the fans." He also made a striking promise, saying: "If the board and fans decide I'm not the right guy, then I will leave tomorrow without any compensation." He might end up regretting that pledge…

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  WINNER: Brennan Johnson

  In the aftermath of the most important goal of his career, it should not be forgotten that earlier this season Brennan Johnson deactivated his Instagram account amid a torrent of online abuse following Tottenham's defeat by Arsenal in September. The north London derby was the lowest point of a difficult start to the season for a player who had never really justified his £48m ($64m) million transfer fee from Nottingham Forest the previous year. But now he has more than paid it off.

  Spurs' return to the Champions League is worth roughly £100m, more than double Johnson's transfer fee, but it is worth far more than that to Tottenham's long-suffering fanbase. The Wales international will be remembered as the man who scored the goal that ended their 17-wait for silverware, and will also go down as their top scorer this season, his match-winner being his 18th goal in all competitions.

  Johnson's father, David, began his career at United, but his son has been the scourge of the Red Devils this season. He scored the first goal in September's thumping 3-0 win at Old Trafford when Erik ten Hag was still in charge, and now he has made Amorim's job a whole lot harder. But his place in Tottenham's history is far more significant, and it is assured forever.

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  LOSER: Bruno Fernandes

  Fernandes has had the thankless task of trying to carry this dysfunctional United team on his back this season, but on Wednesday he couldn't find the strength to go one more time. His flat performance was arguably the most disappointing aspect of this lacklustre United display, and while fans have come to expect little from other members of the squad, they have continued to see their captain as a superhero, the man who always saves the day. Here, though, his powers were faulty.

  His only notable effort on goal was his effort which Guglielmo Vicario saved comfortably in the first half, and he was unable to supply his team-mates with chances, save for a few promising passes to Amad Diallo. Fernandes has now lost two European finals with United after the 2021 Europa League defeat to Villarreal on penalties, and in five-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford he has just two trophies to show for his efforts, the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

  Before the game, Fernandes had spoken of his natural desire to win the trophy, but he also made a statement which has extra significance in light of the defeat: "It won't change the past for us but it can affect the future." The captain was talking about the impact of United getting back into the Champions League and the players they would be able to attract, but it also is worth reflecting on the impact the defeat could have on him.

  There have been growing reports of his agent meeting with representatives from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, and a defeat of this magnitude and the reality that he will not be involved in the Champions League (or indeed any European football) might well make Fernandes take those offers more seriously.