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Manchester United are already looking ahead to the January transfer window and could bid for an “incredible” talent once the market period opens.

Manchester United prepare for Premier League return as Onana departs

The international break is in full swing, and supporters of the Red Devils have been left to reflect on a mixed start to the campaign, resulting in one victory, a solitary draw, and a defeat within their first three Premier League matches.

Ruben Amorim will still be reeling from the effects of a shock EFL Cup exit to Grimsby Town, albeit time moves on, and so does the narrative surrounding Manchester United.

In a surprise turn of developments, Andre Onana is set to join Trabzonspor on loan, something that Fabrizio Romano has added further context to via his platform on social media outlet X.

He stated: “André Onana agrees to join Trabzonspor, here we go! All contracts are now signed on player side, waiting on counter approval from Trabzonspor and travel next week. Deal done on loan from Manchester United as revealed on Saturday, no buy option or loan fee.”

Intriguingly, reports claim that Manchester United could join the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi after his failed move to Liverpool during the summer window.

Amorim does appear to be intent on strengthening his defence, but he has an alternative star in his sights that he could look to make inroads to sign once the mid-season market opens for business.

Manchester United set to submit Zeno Debast January bid

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester United are set to submit a January bid for Sporting Lisbon defender Zeno Debast after they’ve been spotted scouting him over the last few weeks. Arsenal are also keen on the Belgium international, though the Portuguese champions are holding out for a fee close to £69 million for his services.

Amorim can revive Mainoo by binning £150k-p/w flop in Man Utd system switch

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim can revive Kobbie Mainoo by changing his formation.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 7, 2025

However, Manchester United are more likely to come in with an offer around the £34.5 million mark, something that may test the waters, but won’t be enough to tempt him to England.

Anderlecht retain a 15% sell-on clause for Debast, and there may be room for negotiation on that front for the 21-year-old, who is primarily a central defender and has made five appearances this season.

Labelled “incredible” by scout Jacek Kulig, the Halle-born man would be another worthwhile long-term investment in Manchester United’s backline, though it remains to be seen if they can meet Sporting’s demands.

Cristhian Mosquera has revealed that Mikel Arteta’s personal touch convinced him to join Arsenal this summer despite the fierce competition posed by defensive stalwarts William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. The £13 million signing from Valencia has already made an impression in north London, proving to be one of the Gunners’ shrewdest recruits this summer.

• Arsenal summer-signing Mosquera plays major part

  Arsenal completed the signing of Mosquera from Valencia during the summer transfer window in a £13 million deal. The 21-year-old was brought in to add depth and competition to Arteta’s backline, which already boasts one of the Premier League’s most formidable centre-back pairings in Saliba and Gabriel. Despite the tough competition, the Spaniard has quickly integrated into the squad and featured in eight matches so far this season, including Premier League fixtures against Newcastle and Liverpool. His arrival has been seen as part of Arsenal’s long-term vision to maintain high standards across every position and ensure continuity at the back.

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  Mosquera opens up on Arsenal move

  In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Mosquera opened up about his decision to leave La Liga for the Premier League and why he had no hesitation about joining Arsenal once Mikel Arteta made contact. “I feel great at the club and in the city. From the first moment Arteta spoke to me, I had no doubts about going to Arsenal,” he said.

  “There’s an incredible group of players. Plus, there are a lot of Spanish speakers who have helped me adapt. When I signed, I knew I was going to face them [Gabriel and Saliba], two world-class stars, but that was the club’s idea: to have players competing for every position to go as far as possible.”

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  Arteta pleased with Mosquera as he deputises for Saliba

  Mosquera’s signing has already proven to be a masterstroke for Arsenal, not only in terms of squad depth but also in value. At just £13 million, the Spaniard is considered one of the bargains of the summer, and his performances have backed that up. When Saliba picked up a minor injury against Liverpool, Arteta immediately turned to Mosquera – a decision that paid off, with the youngster putting in a composed display. Arteta later praised his impact, saying, “Thank God we had Mosquera.” His experience at a young age – having played more minutes than any other under-21 defender in Europe’s top leagues over the past two seasons – has allowed him to step in seamlessly. Moreover, Mosquera’s maturity, professionalism, and humility have stood out at London Colney, where he has quickly earned the respect of team-mates and coaches alike.

  As per Sky Sports, those who worked with Mosquera at Valencia describe him as a level-headed, hard-working player with a relentless desire to improve – traits that have been evident since his arrival in England. Sources close to the club have said that he spends extra hours at training sessions studying positioning and tactical details alongside assistant coaches. His ability to absorb information quickly has impressed Arteta, who values tactical intelligence as much as physical ability in his defenders. The young Spaniard’s calmness on the ball, aerial strength, and composure under pressure have made him a natural fit for Arsenal’s build-from-the-back system. While he’s still learning the language and adapting to life in the Premier League, Mosquera’s attitude and professionalism suggest he’s destined for a long and successful spell in north London.

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• With Saliba and Gabriel fit, Mosquera fighting for minutes

  Mosquera’s next challenge will be to continue pushing for regular minutes in a defence dominated by Saliba and Gabriel. With Arsenal competing across multiple fronts this season, including the Premier League and Champions League, his opportunities are expected to increase.

  Arteta is keen to manage his defensive resources carefully, meaning the young Spaniard will play a key rotational role while learning from two of Europe’s best centre-backs. Long term, Arsenal see Mosquera as a potential successor to either Saliba or Gabriel, capable of leading the backline in years to come. For now, the 21-year-old remains focused on growth, consistency, and making the most of his opportunities — ensuring Arteta’s faith in him continues to be richly rewarded.

Hayes is using the October friendlies to form a side that more closely resembles the XI that will feature at the 2027 World Cup

Emma Hayes's squad – set for a trio of fixtures this international break, two against Portugal and a one against New Zealand – is notably older and more experience than the last window. USWNT Stalwarts Lindsey Heaps, Emily Fox and Cat Macario are back. Trinity Rodman, now fully fit and firing for the Washington Spirit, is also returning.

It has been nearly three months since this contingent last met up for actual soccer matches, and the coach has made a few changes. It marks a far more seasoned group. The last camp averaged just 18.4 caps per player. This one, by comparison, is at 27.3. Only one player has been called up to the senior side for the first time, and that's because she was aged out of the U23 squad.

Hayes said on Wednesday that this is a good opportunity to form a side that will look more like the XI that will feature at the 2027 World Cup. The roster reflects that. Now it is time to think more seriously about winning. 

GOAL looks at key takeaways from Hayes' roster release.

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  Trinity is back

  Trinity Rodman has said that she may never again be 100 percent physically, as she continually battles a recurring back injury. But that hasn't stopped her from scoring goals again for the Washington Spirit. Her numbers aren't seismic, but she has seven goal contributions in just more than 900 minutes. Those aren't bad numbers for someone whose back didn't work less than a year ago. 

  And now she'll be back on the international side for the first time since April. And this time, Rodman is fit, firing, and ready to go.

  "I know she's excited to come back in and play for a national team, but she's doing it in a place where I think she's had to build a lot of foundational work around her back," Hayes said. "She's one of the best players in the world, and we've had to play without her for more than a year. So I'm, of course, super excited that she's back in – but most importantly that she's here with us in a healthy place."

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  'How much of that gap she's closed'

  Jaedyn Shaw generated plenty of headlines this season for her apparent inability to settle at one club. Once one of the most hyped prospects in U.S. soccer while playing regularly for the San Diego Wave, she first moved to the North Carolina Courage for a bumper fee of $300,000. But she was never quite able to make good on the investment, struggling to find her spot in an inconsistent side. 

  And then, Gotham came in. They offered $1.25M for her services, smashing the NWSL record to acquire the USWNT star. Hayes, in effect, reflected her lack of form by sending her to the Under-23 side during the last window. And even if Hayes insists that the camp is a natural extension of the senior team, it was impossible to ignore the fact that she was out of the spotlight. 

  But now she's back, and Hayes believes she's ready to make an impact at a high level.

  "She's has taken on board everything that we've been asking of her," Hayes said of the still only 20-year-old Shaw. "She's traded to Gotham. I think she's really starting to put all of those things together. She's an incredible goal threat in so many ways, and I think this is an opportunity for us to see, from the last time she's been in to now, how much of that gap she's closed."

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  An omission for Crystal Dunn

  Glance at the October camp roster, and you'll quickly notice that Crystal Dunn is not involved. A bona fide USWNT legend, Dunn was crucial in the early days of Hayes' tenure, and started every game during the U.S.'s 2024 Olympic triumph. She added some crucial veteran leadership to an otherwise youthful group.

  But since then, she's struggled for opportunities. A move from Gotham to PSG in January 2025 figured to be a welcome change. Many women's stars were moving to Europe, and PSG are among the best sides on the continent. Yet it hasn't worked out for her in Paris. Dunn has been unable to crack the starting XI, and has played just more than 300 minutes of soccer in the last 14 months.

  Hayes admitted that it's a bit harsh on the left back, whose USWNT journey really shouldn't be over yet. However, her lack of game time is a true concern.

  "You know, she's available for selection for PSG, but she's not playing right now. She's not getting minutes, and she knows that," Hayes said. 

  But Hayes backed her for future appearances for her the USWNT.

  "I still believe there is a future for Crystal with the national team, not just because of her experiences, but because of her qualities," Hayes said. "But I've made it really clear that I want players to be competing and playing on a regular basis, and she understands that."

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  Light on debuts

  Hayes has been eager to hand out debuts, doing so at a feverish pace. The U.S.'s talent pool is deep, and after previous coaches established their favorites and stuck with them, Hayes has shown few qualms with experimenting. That meant fielding some of the youngest squads in national team history, while still keeping a core group together for the big games. 

  But this time there are very few new looks. Only one player, in fact, is getting a first-time call up: Kennedy Wesley of the San Diego Wave. Her inclusion makes sense. She featured at a number of youth levels, played college ball at Stanford, and has done enough to suggest she could be in the mix amid a packed centerback group that is missing Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson. 

  There is a more basic reason for her decision – Wesley has aged out of the U23 class. But Hayes backed her to perform.

  "Obviously, I've watched all of her games," Hayes said. "I think she's come through the youth national team system, been a consistent performer. I think she's at a good age for us to see. Especially since we lost Tiana Davidson, you know, her ability and her progressive passing for the team – not just a diagonal play, but to bring the ball into midfield – really stands out for me. And so I'm really looking forward to seeing her work."

Chelsea are now firmly in the race to sign an England international also wanted by Barcelona, who has been described as “one of the best” in Europe.

Blues miss opportunity to go top of the table

The Blues squandered their chance to go top of the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon, with Fabio Carvalho bagging a stoppage-time equaliser for Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, to ensure the spoils were shared in a 2-2 draw.

Enzo Maresca was forced into making three half-time substitutions, given that a number of players are yet to reach full match fitness, including Wesley Fofana, who made his first Premier League start of the season.

Maresca is a little light on options in defence, having not brought in a replacement for Levi Colwill during the summer transfer window, with the Englishman set for a lengthy spell on the treatment table due to an ACL injury.

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, however, signing a new centre-back is on the to-do list, with Chelsea now firmly back in the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who nearly joined Liverpool in a £35m deal on deadline day.

Speaking about the west Londoners’ interest, Bailey said: “Chelsea know all about Guehi, but this summer they opted not to bring in a new central defender, even after Levi Colwill’s injury. However, the chance to add a homegrown star, currently one of the best in Europe – it is just not logical for them not to be involved.

Chelsea scouts spotted watching 17 y/o gem who's been dubbed the new Kante

He’s a rising star…

By
Tom Cunningham

Sep 13, 2025

“Chelsea know Guehi’s character, he is a fantastic person and everyone who meets him relays that fact – I was told by one high ranking Premier League executive that signing him is one of the ‘least risky’ transfers that anyone could do.

There could be fierce competition for the defender’s signature, however, with Liverpool still thought to be in pole position, while the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also named as potential suitors.

Guehi could be upgrade on Colwill

There are indications the Palace captain could be an upgrade on Colwill, given that he is far more established at international level, having picked up 25 caps for England, compared to just five for the Chelsea defender.

Not only that, but the 25-year-old has outperformed Colwill across a number of key defensive metrics over the past year, while also proving himself as more of an attacking threat.

Guehi could be a fantastic signing for Chelsea, and should they qualify for the Champions League once again, moving to Stamford Bridge is likely to be an attractive proposition next summer.

Paris Saint-Germain were dealt a lethal blow on Wednesday evening during a Ligue 1 encounter against Lorient, as star attacker Desire Doue suffered an injury. The youngster had to be stretchered off in tears and new reports suggest the former Rennes prodigy will be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, deepening the crisis at Parc des Princes amid a mounting injury list.

• Doue injury piles on to PSG's misery

  PSG turned in a lacklustre display against Lorient on Wednesday, missing the chance to extend their slim lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table, which now stands at just one point. Despite dominating possession with 79 per cent of the ball and largely keeping the hosts pinned back, Luis Enrique’s side had to settle for a frustrating draw – and their evening was further exacerbated with an injury to star forward Doue.

  Around the hour mark, as he prepared to be substituted, Doue suddenly collapsed on the touchline after delivering a final cross, clutching his right thigh in visible pain. His anguished expression and muffled cry immediately prompted concern, with medical staff rushing to his aid amid fears of a serious setback. For a player who had only recently returned from a muscle injury, this latest misfortune struck like a bolt from the blue. 

  The medics rushed him off the pitch on a stretcher, implying that the 20-year-old will be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. reported that Doue left the Stade du Moustoir on crutches – a heartbreaking setback for the young attacker, who picked up a calf injury during international duty with France in September. After the match, a downcast Enrique appeared visibly affected by the blow to his player.

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  Forward facing a long absence ahead

  According to initial reports, PSG could be dealt a huge blow as Doue is facing a serious injury. The daily newspaper reports a tear, the most severe type of muscle injury. This means several weeks away from the pitch. And with the Champions League stretching until mid-December, Doue's hopes of returning to European competition this year are already fading. The coaching staff will not take any risks. Repeated muscle problems call for caution and patience, especially for such a promising player. Les Parisiens' attack loses a player capable of bringing impact, freshness and solutions to an already busy schedule.

  "I don't know, I'm not the doctor, but it's not good news. I didn't see the images, it was on the other side of the pitch." Enrique told reporters after the game, unable to hide his concern and disappointment. "It's always bad news when there are injuries. It's a strange injury; I don't know exactly his condition. I hope it's not a serious injury."

• PSG concerned about Doue's injury woes

  The young French international still has physical reserves to build up, but PSG are concerned about this string of setbacks. In September, Doue had already missed four weeks after suffering a right calf injury while playing for Les Bleus against Ukraine. He returned on October 17 against Strasbourg. Less than a fortnight later, he has been sidelined once again.

  Two consecutive setbacks to the same leg are raising questions. PSG will have to monitor the player closely, strengthen his muscle preparation and protect his future. The club has high hopes for him, especially with 2026 approaching and its big goals, including the race for the Ligue 1 title and the ambition to retain the Champions League. Not to mention the World Cup in the United States, which awaits him at the end of next season.

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  PSG hoping Doue can be back to his best in 2026

  This injury complicates Luis Enrique's plans. Already facing absences in attack, the manager must now cope without Doue for more than a month. The team loses variety and depth on the wings, while matches follow one another at a frenetic pace.

  Despite everything, the Champions League holders are used to overcoming this type of challenge. The coaching staff is counting on the depth of the squad and the rise of other young players. But this injury also serves as a reminder of a simple truth that is sometimes forgotten in the euphoria of great victories. The bodies of these young talents are forged in adversity and are not immune to human limitations.

  Doue will now have to rebuild himself, regain his confidence and come back even stronger. His absence will be felt, but the club believes in him. The goal now is to see him back at his best for the coming year, when PSG will once again be aiming for the top. The evening in Lorient was supposed to be uneventful. It ended up being a turning point, and PSG hope that this setback will not dampen the momentum of a player who is destined for a bright future.

Whilst there’s no doubt that Pep Guardiola the manager will go down as one of the greatest to ever step foot inside the technical area, it’s still worth noting down just how impressive Guardiola the midfielder was.

The Spaniard ended his playing career with one Champions League to his name, six Spanish titles, an Olympic gold medal and plenty more in an incredible career which largely featured success with Barcelona. It’s a credit to his managerial work that his time on the pitch is often placed second in his long list of achievements.

Not everyone has forgotten the player before the manager, however, and the late great Johan Cruyff previously took the time to praise both versions of Guardiola.

The former Barcelona star also featured in one of the most star-studded eras in football history. He shared a dressing room with Ronald Koeman, Ronaldo Nazário and Romario, whilst squaring off against the likes of Raul and Roberto Carlos.

One player he didn’t have the pleasure of meeting on the pitch or in the dressing room, however, is Wayne Rooney. Instead, Guardiola was forced to appreciate the Manchester United legend from the technical area at both Manchester City and Barcelona, which only peaked his appreciation for the former England star.

The Man City boss even went as far as describing Rooney as “one of the best” that he has seen in his career back in 2014. Yet, as impressed as he so often was by one of the Premier League’s greats, Guardiola also previously claimed that Rooney’s England teammate was, in fact, far harder to play against.

Guardiola reveals why Crouch was harder to play against than Rooney

It almost somehow feels absolutely right that Guardiola would have a special appreciation for a player like Peter Crouch. Whilst often underrated by many, Crouch can now say that he once had the full attention of arguably the greatest manager of all time.

The Man City boss wrote a series of columns about the 2006 World Cup and took the opportunity to reveal why Crouch is tougher to play against than the legendary Rooney.

In just a small insight into the mind of Guardiola even before he became the manager that he is today, Crouch received some of the highest praise of his career.

8 of the best quotes from Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola is a constant source of wisdom and entertainment.

By
Barney Lane

Mar 7, 2025

Alas, it is certainly praise that he deserves. The former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur striker ended his time on the pitch with a total of 108 top flight goals and remains one of the most technical tall strikers that the Premier League has seen, also racking up 22 strikes for England in just 42 caps.

Is there anything more exciting than the long ball in baseball? 

I may have something – betting on a player to hit a home run, and it actually comes through!

That’s what our team attempts to do every day by picking the best home run prop bets in Major League Baseball, and there are two players that I’m eyeing for Sunday, June 9. 

Can these two American League sluggers close out the weekend strong?

Best MLB Home Run Picks Today, Sunday June 9

• Jose Ramirez to Hit a Home Run (+450)
• Gunnar Henderson to Hit a Home Run (+265)

Jose Ramirez to Hit a Home Run (+450)

Jose Ramirez has a great matchup on Sunday against struggling Miami Marlins lefty Trevor Rogers, who has allowed seven homers on the season, including at least one in six of his last eight starts.

The Cleveland Guardians All-Star is having a great series, homering on Saturday – his second long ball in three games. Can he do it again today?

I love taking Ramirez against any left-handed pitcher, as he’s destroyed them in 2024. The switch hitter is posting an impressive .320/.381/.587 slash line against lefties with five homers in just 75 at bats. 

With 18 home runs already in 2024, I love taking Ramirez in this favorable spot on Sunday. 

Gunnar Henderson to Hit a Home Run (+265)

This home run prop isn’t going to bring the greatest return, but I can’t pass it up in this matchup. 

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson has Tampa Bay Rays starter Zack Littell in his MLB career, going 4-for-7 with two homers against him. 

Littell allowed 11 hits the last time he played the O’s and Henderson (20 homers on the season) has been red hot as of late, picking up a hit in 10 of his last 11 games.

Henderson – like Ramirez – also homered on Saturday, but I expect him to stay hot against Littell. The Rays starter has allowed at least one long ball in four straight starts.

A “tremendous” Manchester United player “will leave” the club at the end of this season, according to a new claim from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Lammens enjoying life at Man Utd

It’s fair to say that too many signings have underwhelmed at Old Trafford since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, but Senne Lammens has made an encouraging start to life at the club.

The 23-year-old has come in as United’s next starter in goal, and he impressed in the 2-0 win at home to Sunderland last weekend, not least keeping an important clean sheet. Lammens is clearly enjoying life at Old Trafford currently, and former Red Devils defender Wes Brown has heaped praise on his impact.

“I think there were a couple of positive things. First of all, and maybe the most important, was Senne Lammens, the goalkeeper. He gave a very confident display, and I think that gives encouragement to the rest of the team. We had more consistency and what I mean by that is the defence was solid, and the keeper was solid.”

While Lammens’ United career is only just getting started, it looks like one of his teammates is on the verge of moving on to pastures new.

"Tremendous" Man Utd player will "100%" leave

Speaking on his YouTube channel [via Manchester World], Tyrell Malacia will depart Manchester United next summer when his contract expires.

Next summer feels like the natural time for Malacia’s career to come to an end, even though Rio Ferdinand lauded him in the past and some impressive form.

“Malacia today was tremendous, outstanding. He reminds me of Patrice Evra in many ways. He’s athletic, he looks like a pound-for-pound strong kid. There aren’t many left-backs in European or world football in the last four or five years who have gone out of a game and kept Mohamed Salah quiet. Luke Shaw’s going to have to do something to get back in this team now.”

Sadly, it just hasn’t quite worked out for Malacia at United, though, with the 26-year-old Dutchman restricted to only 47 appearances for the Red Devils in total, despite arriving from Feyenoord three years ago, and being loaned out to PSV Eindhoven earlier this year.

It's not Sesko: Man Utd "monster" is in danger of becoming another Hojlund

This Man Utd star will want his chance in the first team soon

By
Joe Nuttall

Oct 12, 2025

Injuries haven’t helped, in fairness, but his performances have also too often flattered to deceive, and it doesn’t make much sense to offer him a contract extension – his current deal is £75,000-a-week which works out at £3.9m per season – instead allowing him to leave on a free transfer and enjoy a new challenge.

Wojciech Szczesny has recommended the Real Madrid and Barcelona players to practice "meditation and breathing" in the aftermath of last weekend's El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. Tempers flared between the players of the two rivals following the hosts' 2-1 win, with the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Vinicius Junior, and Lamine Yamal engaging in a tense exchange.

• El Clasico turned into a feisty affair

  Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend to end their four-game losing streak against the reigning La Liga champions, thanks to first-half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. 

  However, tempers flared between the two arch-rivals, with Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, and Vinícius Junior engaging in a tense exchange with Lamine Yamal. Madrid players were fired up ahead of the highly-anticipated match after Yamal, during a live stream, implied that Los Blancos “rob, complain, and do things" to win by questionable means.

  After the full-time whistle, Carvajal, the Madrid captain, told Yamal: "You speak too much. Speak now." Yamal reportedly responded by saying: "See you in the tunnel," as he pointed towards the tunnel repetitively.

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  Szczesny urges everyone to meditate

  Speaking in a chat with Polish YouTubers, Szczesny said: “I learned early in my career that emotions don’t help me, so I try to disconnect. For example, after El Clasico, everyone was arguing and fighting, and I just thought, ‘We lost the match, but we have to move on.’ I would recommend that everyone practice meditation and work on their breathing. I do breathing exercises before the match and at halftime. People look at me strangely because I do it right in the middle of the locker room. I recommend working on your breathing in extreme conditions — in both cold and heat.”

• Revealed: What makes Szczesny an expert at saving penalties

  Barcelona had their third-choice goalkeeper Szczesny to thank for ensuring Madrid didn't complete a demolition job of Barcelona at the Bernabeu last weekend. He made nine saves – the most by a goalkeeper in an El Clasico since April 2017 – which also included a second-half save against an Mbappe penalty. It's the first time since the 2015-16 season that a goalkeeper made a successful penalty save in El Clasico. 

  With that, he has now saved the penalties of some of the greatest players in football history, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar. When asked how he prepares for penalties, the Polish goalkeeper said: “I study the penalty takers a lot before matches. I usually watch the last 20 penalties taken by the two or three players responsible for taking them and try to find the pattern in their shots. Sometimes their run-up also gives me information. There are players who shoot differently at important moments in the match or if the team is winning or losing. I try to gather all that information and then go with my instincts. 

  “As for Mbappe, he scored the last penalty against me (in the 4-3 win at home last season). I was feeling confident and knew he would choose the same side. Then you have to hope it happens, and luckily it did."

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  Szczesny saving Barca's blushes amid injury crisis

  It must be remembered that Szczesny was a happily retired professional around a year ago, enjoying life with his family. However, an ACL injury to then first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen forced the club to look for emergency options, and they turned towards the former Arsenal and Juventus custodian. He established himself as a first-choice keeper under Hansi Flick in the second half of the season after coming out of retirement, proving that he still had enough in his tank to deliver at the highest level.

  He agreed to renew his deal by another season over the summer, expressing his happiness at being third-choice behind summer signing Joan Garcia and Ter Stegen. In fact, he has emphasised that he wants to spend the season mentoring Garcia, believing that the 24-year-old has the potential to become the best goalkeeper in the world. 

  Injuries to both goalkeepers above the Warsaw-born player in the pecking order saw him being called into action. He has played six games on the trot and doesn't look out of place. However, both Szczesny and the club will be hoping that Garcia doesn't suffer further setbacks once he recovers. The ex-Espanyol goalkeeper underwent knee operation in late September, but there's optimism within the club that he could return to the lineup before the upcoming international break. 

  In any case, Garcia's return will not be rushed, which means we can expect Szczesny to retain his spot for the next few games, if not more.

Liverpool slipped to back-to-back defeats in the Premier League for the first time under Arne Slot on Saturday when they lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

A last-gasp finish from Willian Estevao secured all three points for the home side in a game that they deserved to win with their front-foot approach.

More and more questions will be asked of the club’s recruitment work during the summer transfer window, as Florian Wirtz came on at half-time and failed to turn the game in Liverpool’s failure.

The Germany international arrived at Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen in a £115m deal in the summer, but he is still searching for his first goal contribution in the Premier League.

Wirtz lost six of his eight duels and created one chance in 45 minutes against Chelsea, per Sofascore, which shows that he struggled off the ball and did not add much to the team in possession.

Given that he came in from the Bundesliga for a gigantic transfer fee, there may be some comparisons drawn to the signing of Naby Keita from RB Leipzig, but that may not be fair.

Why Florian Wirtz is not the next Naby Keita

The Reds paid £52.75m to sign the central midfielder, who officially joined the club in 2018, from Leipzig, and he failed to live up to his price tag.

In five seasons at Anfield, Keita produced just 11 goals and seven assists in 129 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he did not provide consistent quality at the top end of the pitch.

He had scored 17 goals and provided 15 assists in 71 matches for Leipzig in Germany, which means that he was unable to translate his form from his previous club over to his time with Liverpool.

Whilst Wirtz has not had the goals and assists that he would have wanted by this point, the German star’s underlying numbers suggest that he is not on course to be the next Bundesliga flop, like Keita was.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is doing the right things at the top end of the pitch, but needs something to go his way to start racking up goals and assists on a regular basis.

As you can see in the table above, Wirtz ranks highly among his positional peers for input, with chances created, xA, and xG on target, but the output, goals and assists, is not quite there yet.

If he continues to take high-quality shots and create chances for his teammates on a regular basis, the goals and assists will follow and he will not be deemed to be the next Keita at Anfield.

This is why Wirtz, who assisted Hugo Ekitike on his debut in the Community Shield, is not going to be the next Keita, because he is on the right path to becoming a success at Anfield.

However, there is another summer signing for Liverpool from the Bundesliga who may be in danger of becoming the next version of the Guinea international after a rough start to life on Merseyside.

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Liverpool splashed out £29.5m to sign Netherlands international Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer in an attempt to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who departed on a free transfer to sign for Real Madrid.

Unfortunately, the former Manchester City and Celtic full-back has had a difficult time of things since his return to English football, and is now in danger of becoming the new Keita.

Why Jeremie Frimpong may be the next Naby Keita

As aforementioned, the former Leipzig midfielder was a flop from the Bundesliga at Anfield as he failed to translate his attacking form in Germany over to the Premier League with the Reds.

Frimpong delivered 30 goals and 44 assists in 190 appearances in all competitions for Leverkusen during his time with the Bundesliga side, playing as a wing-back more often than not.

His output in the final third led the official Bundesliga YouTube channel to question whether or not the Dutch dynamo was the best attacking full-back in the world earlier this year.

Slot, however, does not play with traditional wing-backs, and Frimpong has found the transition back to playing as a regular right-back, which is the role he played for Celtic earlier in his career, a difficult one.

The 24-year-old star has found himself third in the pecking order at right-back at this moment in time, as he was an unused substitute in the defeat to Chelsea that saw Connor Bradley start the match and Dominik Szoboszlai end the game at right-back.

Frimpong, who was described as a “breathtaking” talent by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has only started one match in the Premier League so far this season, and has been an unused substitute on two occasions.

As you can see in the table above, the Dutchman has struggled on and off the ball in the top-flight so far this season, losing the majority of his physical duels whilst also failing to create a single chance for his teammates in three appearances.

The former Man City academy graduate was given an opportunity to start on the right wing against Galatasaray in the Champions League, but he ended the game with no goals, no assists, and seven out of nine duels lost, per Sofascore.

These statistics, in the Champions League and the Premier League, show that Frimpong has struggled with a new role and the increased physicality of English football, which is why he is in danger of becoming the next Keita.

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Unless he is able to turn his form, in and out of possession, around in the weeks and months to come, the Dutchman may end up being the next Bundesliga flop at Anfield.