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Chelsea have been hunting for their prolific number nine over the past few years, notably since their £97.5m move for Romelu Lukaku backfired, only making 44 appearances in his second stint with the Blues, scoring 15 goals and providing one assist.
Since then, Kai Havertz was often deployed as a striker under Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, with other signings such as Pierre Emerick-Aubamayang and David Datro Fofana not going as planned.
This now leaves the current options as Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu, who have scored 17 goals between the three of them in 2024/25.
Jackson has started this campaign as the starting striker in Enzo Maresca’s team, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 901 minutes. His all-round play, ability to run the channels and work hard for the team, has seen him heavily trusted by the new boss, specifically over Nkunku.
The France international has still been used effectively this season, starting cup competitions, and coming from the bench in Premier League games, making 17 appearances, netting ten goals and registering one assist in 688 minutes.
Guiu, who was signed from Barcelona this summer for just £5m, has scored once in his seven appearances, showing promise as a hard-working centre-forward, who is a handful for defenders and looks to press from the front, winning the ball back in the opposition half.
|
Jackson vs Nkunku comparison |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (per 90 mins) |
Jackson |
Nkunku |
|
Goals |
0.63 |
1.08 |
|
Assists |
0.31 |
0.12 |
|
xG |
0.65 |
1.07 |
|
Progressive Carries |
1.98 |
2.62 |
|
Progressive Passes |
1.56 |
3.33 |
|
Shots Total |
2.60 |
3.01 |
|
Key Passes |
1.25 |
1.43 |
|
Touches (Att Pen) |
4.79 |
6.43 |
|
Aerial Duels Won |
0.52 |
0.95 |
|
Stats taken from FBref |
||
The metrics above show Nkunku’s quality in and around the box, with a higher shot volume, more goals per 90, and a higher xG generated per 90. The Frenchman is a clinical finisher and has excellent movement to pair his instincts in dangerous areas.
However, whilst Nkunku betters Jackson in many of these per 90 metrics, what the Senegal international offers Chelsea is a real presence when running the channels, relentlessly making runs and being a nightmare for defenders, linking play and then driving forwards.
But one thing both of these strikers lack, is aerial prowess, both winning less than one aerial duel per 90 (Jackson with 0.52 and Nkunku with 0.95).
This is a clear hole in their squad building, and the Chelsea scouting department is looking to fix that in the coming windows.
According to reports from GIVEMESPORT, Chelsea are interested in Ipswich striker, Liam Delap, and could make a move for him next summer.
The report states that Chelsea’s scouts have been regularly watching Delap this season in his impressive run for struggling Ipswich.
The former Man City forward only left permanently last summer but has made a rip-roaring start to life in Suffolk, now being valued at £33m.
Making 12 appearances for Ipswich this campaign, he has scored six goals and provided one assist in 796 minutes played. His six goals in the Premier League have come from just 2.4 xG, therefore outscoring his xG by +3.6. It’s safe to say he’s truly delivering on the “unplayable” status he was given at Hull City by The Daily Mail’s Baz Cooper.
The 21-year-old forward offers a bigger and stronger build than both Jackson and Nkunku, winning 1.05 aerial duels per 90, and standing at 6 foot 1. Whilst he is the same height as Jackson, Delap has a stocky build, with a strong upper body, and the ability to bully defenders using his frame.
These are traits Chelsea want in their next striker option, to complement the qualities of Jackson, and add extra box threat to the squad, something that is currently lacking, especially when teams drop into a low block against the Blues.
Whether it is Delap, or someone else, Chelsea are definitely interested in adding a different-profile striker to their squad, in order to give Maresca extra options in games to turn the tide in their favour.
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Canada lost, 2-0, to El Tri in the semifinals and will now play the USMNT on Sunday in third-place match
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Canada failed to reach its second Nations League final.
Two goals from Raúl Jiménez secured Mexico's qualification.
coach was upset with the refereeing performance.
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Celtic are back in action once again in the Scottish Premiership this evening as they prepare to welcome their closest rivals Aberdeen to Parkhead.
The Dons, who have played one match more, are four points behind the Hoops in the table, which means that Brendan Rodgers’ side can move seven points clear with a win tonight.
Goals from Liam Scales, Luke McCowan, Adam Idah, Callum McGregor, and Paulo Bernardo secured a 5-0 win for Celtic against Ross County on Saturday.
However, the Premiership champions and leaders must be wary of the threat that Aberdeen can pose to them this evening, particularly centre-forward Kevin Nisbet.
The 27-year-old marksman, who is on loan from Millwall, scored 39 goals in 101 appearances for Hibernian in all competitions during his last spell in Scottish football.
That included a return of 12 goals in 16 outings in the Premiership for Hibs during the 2022/23 campaign, which meant that Aberdeen were bringing in a proven performer in the league.
|
Last seven appearances |
Competition |
Goals |
Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Spartans |
League Cup |
1 |
0 |
|
Dundee |
Premiership |
1 |
0 |
|
Hearts |
Premiership |
0 |
0 |
|
Celtic |
Premiership |
0 |
0 |
|
Dundee |
Premiership |
1 |
1 |
|
St Mirren |
Premiership |
0 |
1 |
|
Hibernian |
Premiership |
0 |
0 |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
|||
As you can see in the table above, Nisbet has scored three goals and provided two assists in his last seven appearances for the Dons, despite only starting four of those matches and playing just 45 minutes against Celtic.
Based on his recent form for Aberdeen, and his previously impressive goal return with Hibernian, Rodgers will need to find a way to silence the Scottish marksman.
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One way to completely silence the Dons centre-forward could be to bring USA international Auston Trusty back into the starting XI, after he was left on the bench for the win over Ross County.
The £6m summer signing from Sheffield United was selected ahead of Liam Scales for Club Brugge and Hearts games, before the manager made a host of changes to the team for the win over Ross County, including the Irish defender coming back in alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Rodgers must, now, bring Trusty back into the fold alongside his compatriot, as the American colossus could play a big role in keeping Nisbet quiet.
|
24/25 Premiership |
Auston Trusty |
Liam Scales |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
7 |
12 |
|
Pass accuracy |
95% |
92% |
|
Tackles per game |
1.6 |
1.3 |
|
Interceptions per game |
1.1 |
1.0 |
|
Penalties committed |
0 |
1 |
|
Ground duels won |
2.6 |
2.1 |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
||
As you can see in the table above, the left-footed star has made fewer defensive errors than Scales whilst winning more tackles, ground duels, and interceptions per game.
These statistics suggest that the former Arsenal prospect could be better suited to dealing with Aberdeen’s attacking threats, as he makes more defensive interventions to cut out attacks each match.
Trusty, who was described as “phenomenal” in the 3-1 win over RB Leipzig in Europe by Chris Sutton, also started in the 6-0 win over Aberdeen in the League Cup, although Nisbet did not feature in that match.
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Therefore, Rodgers could silence the Dons frontman, and their attack in general, by unleashing the summer signing over Scales at Parkhead tonight.
Sir Alex Ferguson is arguably the greatest manager in the history of the game. Across a career that spanned four decades, his greatest successes began with Aberdeen, ending the duopoly of Rangers and Celtic while winning the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Then came Manchester United. A sleeping giant, the Old Trafford side needed a figure to rejuvenate them. Fergie was the perfect candidate. It took a while, but after winning the FA Cup in 1990, the trophies flowed like fine wine.
In the end, he won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League crowns and a host of other cups.
Perhaps his greatest legacy is that so many of those who played under him eventually took to management themselves. We have taken a look into those who followed in his footsteps, ranked by their relative success in the dugout.
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|
Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements at Man United |
|
|---|---|
|
Competition |
Times won |
|
Premier League |
13 |
|
Champions League |
2 |
|
FA Cup |
5 |
|
League Cup |
4 |
|
European Cup Winners’ Cup |
1 |
|
UEFA Super Cup |
1 |
|
Intercontinental Cup |
1 |
|
Charity Shield |
10 |
|
FIFA Club World Cup |
1 |
|
Via Transfermarkt |
|
Roy Keane
Given his playing career, Roy Keane looked as though he could make for an excellent manager, especially having played under Fergie for so long.
Taking over at Sunderland in August 2006, the onus was on Keane to lead the club back to the Premier League, and he duly achieved this, securing the Championship title at the first attempt. The club remained in the top flight the following season, but Keane resigned in December 2008.
His next and final managerial role was at Ipswich Town. He couldn’t inspire them to promotion and was sacked in 2011.
Since then, he has had spells as an assistant with the Republic of Ireland and Aston Villa, while a six-month stint at Nottingham Forest, again as a No 2, ended after just six months.
Wayne Rooney
One of United’s finest players, Wayne Rooney hasn’t had it all his own way in the dugout so far. A two-year spell at Derby County saw the Rams slip into the third tier during his second season in charge, although this was largely due to a 21-point deduction.
Next up was D.C. United, taking charge for 53 matches, yet he won just 15 of them before enduring a dismal stint at Birmingham City which lasted only 15 games.
Keen to make his managerial career a success, Rooney hasn’t shied away, despite his status as he finds himself on the south coast with Plymouth Argyle.
Phil Neville
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Often in the shadow of his brother Gary during their playing careers, Phil Neville has given the managerial side of things a proper go.
He led England Women to the 2019 FIFA World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals for the second tournament in a row, suffering an agonising defeat to the United States.
Stepping down in 2021, Neville soon took charge of Inter Miami, owned by his fellow Manchester United teammate David Beckham. While he led them to the play-offs in the 2022 season for the first time in their history, Neville was sacked in 2023.
It didn’t take him long to get another role in MLS, moving to Portland Timbers last November.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Ruud van Nistelrooy was one of the deadliest forwards in the Premier League during his spell at United.
After stints with the Netherlands national side and PSV Eindhoven’s youth teams, the Dutchman was announced as manager for the senior PSV side ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
During his sole campaign at the club, he won the Dutch Cup and the Johann Cruyff Shield, yet he resigned with just one match of the league season remaining, despite a solid debut.
Erik ten Hag brought him in as an assistant at United ahead of 2024/25, and when he was sacked, Van Nistelrooy was appointed as caretaker.
In his four games in charge, the Red Devils won three and drew one. His spell caught the attention of Leicester City (having beaten them twice), and the Foxes snapped him up to replace the sacked Steve Cooper.
Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson was one of the finest midfielders of his generation, although injury problems hit him hard during his career.
After 13 years at United, with several coming under Fergie’s leadership, Robson was appointed player-manager of Middlesbrough, leading them to the Premier League during the 1994/95 season.
The 1996/97 campaign saw the Englishman guide the club to the League Cup and FA Cup finals, yet they lost both, while Boro were relegated at the end of that season.
He spent another four years at the club before taking over at Bradford City in 2003. He later guided West Bromwich Albion to safety in 2005, despite the club starting the calendar year – and indeed, the final day – at the bottom of the Premier League table.
His most recent role was in charge of Thailand between 2009 and 2011, where he won just six matches.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Following his playing career, Ole Gunnar Solskjær won two league titles with Molde in his homeland before taking over at Cardiff City in 2014. However, he was unable to prevent them from being relegated and returned to Norway for a second spell at Molde.
Following José Mourinho’s sacking in 2018, Solskjaer was appointed caretaker manager at Manchester United, before being announced as the new full-time boss of the Old Trafford side.
Third and second-placed finishes in the Premier League looked to have United back on the ascendency, but a poor start to the 2021/22 campaign saw the Norwegian sacked before Christmas, and he is yet to take up a new role.
Steve Bruce
Out of all Fergie’s former players, Steve Bruce’s managerial career is certainly the one most travelled. 13 different spells across 12 clubs is impressive to say the least, although he has not won a major trophy during his spell in the dugout.
His first real success came with Birmingham City, taking charge for six years as the club became a mainstay in the Premier League. He is both a two-time Championship runner-up and double play-off winner, having also achieved these feats with Hull City.
Bruce then led Hull to the FA Cup final in 2014, losing to Arsenal, before stints at Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle United followed.
After two years out of the game, the former defender is back this season, taking the reins at Blackpool.
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Mark Hughes
Mark Hughes didn’t finish his playing career until 2002, yet he was given the Wales job in 1999 aged just 36. In his five years in charge, Wales came close to qualifying for Euro 2004, losing to Russia in a play-off.
A solid stint at Blackburn Rovers saw the club finish sixth in the top flight, securing qualification for the UEFA Cup, with a seventh-place finish coming in 2007/08, his last year in charge.
Failed spells at Manchester City, Fulham and QPR suggested his managerial career was destined to come to an end, but his spell at Stoke City proved otherwise.
Three successive top-half finishes with the Potters ensured they were consistent enough, yet they ended up being relegated at the end of the 2017/18 season. Hughes had departed a few months earlier.
He has been without a job since leaving Bradford City in 2023.
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Gordon Strachan
Fiery ginger winger Gordon Strachan played under Fergie at Aberdeen and Man Utd, before ending his playing career with a spell at Leeds United, helping them win the old First Division in 1992.
He took charge of Coventry City in 1996, initially as a player-manager, before making a full-time switch to the dugout the following year. Despite finishes of 15th and 14th in the top flight, the Sky Blues were relegated in 2001.
Strachan then steered Southampton to the FA Cup final in 2003, but his greatest managerial spell came at Celtic. Three league titles, two League Cups and the Scottish Cup were the highlights.
Following a poor spell in charge of Middlesbrough, Strachan took over as Scotland manager, but he couldn’t lead the nation to a major tournament, resigning in 2017.
Laurent Blanc
Laurent Blanc may not have enjoyed the best of times at United, winning just one Premier League trophy as his playing career was coming to an end, but he made the transition to management rather seamlessly.
He led Bordeaux to second place in Ligue 1 during his first season in charge, before ending their wait for a league title in 2009, also leading the club to Coupe de la Ligue success in the process.
A two-year spell in charge of France saw the nation reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2012, with Blanc resigning shortly after.
He achieved dominance with Paris Saint-Germain between 2013 and 2016, winning three consecutive league titles along with a host of domestic cups, but the Champions League eluded them. Since then, he has had spells with Lyon, Al-Rayyan and current side Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, though he has not won a major honour since leaving France.
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Manchester City superstar Phil Foden has admitted that Pep Guardiola's side 'cannot stay at the top forever' as the Citizens' struggle for form.
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Arne Slot has organised Liverpool’s talented squad into something capable of titles. Tottenham Hotspur were put to the sword in north London on Sunday and the Reds are now belted into the driving seat with Christmas nigh.
Liverpool’s rise this term has perhaps been reflective of the shift in the managerial mood. Jurgen Klopp was larger than life, infectious in his demeanour and booming laugh. Slot, conversely, is all business.
And Anfield has adhered to that switch, almost as if the persona in the dugout has consumed the club and made subtle changes that are bearing dividends and then some.
Ah, but of course there is that one brooding cloud. Three clouds, more precisely. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are just over a week away from being able to discuss pre-contract deals with clubs overseas.
It’s a concerning situation. The three superstars played blinders at Tottenham, have been exceptional all year. All three could leave for free, and though reports have downplayed any mutinous mindsets, the Redmen would be within their rights to entertain suitors in January.
However, as per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Van Dijk, 33, and the 32-year-old Salah have received proposals and talks are progressing positively, albeit at a snail’s pace.
Alexander-Arnold’s future is more nebulous, with Real Madrid bearing a vested interest in Liverpool’s all-powerful right-back. At 26, the Scouser is entering his prime and bringing the facets of his remarkable skillset together to a new degree.
If the vice-captain were to leave on a Bosman in 2025, Liverpool’s adoring fanbase would undoubtedly be incensed, dismayed and dejected. But Los Blancos’ pull is strong and turning them down would be an agonising decision for any top-class player across the globe.
Away from Liverpool’s non-committal superstars, further exit activity could be on the cards at the end of the campaign. Liverpool need to make some signings but FSG are already resigned to losing another core Liverpool member in Caoimhin Kelleher.
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Last week, retired goalkeeper Paul Robinson revealed to Football Insider that Tottenham could look to sign Kelleher at the end of the season, with Fraser Forster’s recent woes making a conclusive comment on the 36-year-old’s Premier League future.
Kelleher has risen to fame as Alisson Becker’s capable understudy over the past few years, but he’s playing out the penultimate year of his contract and will not sign a new deal given his second-fiddle status.
Compounding his situation, in August, Reds sporting director Richard Hughes signed Giorgio Mamardashvili in a deal rising to £29m, with the Euro 2024 sensation scheduled to arrive from Valencia next summer.
In fairness, Kelleher has earned his flowers, covering the injury-prone Alisson with regularity and proving to be an indispensable part of the Liverpool make-up.
But allowing the 26-year-old to foster his qualities further with a divisional rival could be damaging for the Reds, even if FSG are looking to claim about £35m for their homegrown sensation.
Kelleher has been immense in recent years, chalking up 61 senior appearances for Liverpool in total, lifting two Carabao Cup trophies and performing with high and layered quality. Van Dijk has even gone as far as to describe the Irishman as “world-class.”
With Alisson missing separate chunks of the current season, Kelleher has notched 13 outings across all competitions, with his 71% save percentage only marginally behind that of his Brazilian peer (72%), as per FBref.
Of course, the real chatter around the shot-stopper’s skills comes from his consistency and ability to perform on the biggest stages, for he was incredible as injury-hit Liverpool kept Chelsea at bay in the Carabao Cup final last term.
Van Dijk’s claim that he’s one of the finest across the globe might feel somewhat hyperbolic but Kelleher has demonstrated over several seasons that he is good enough to start for one of the biggest outfits in Europe.
Liverpool have been pretty accurate in the transfer market but there have been times when players have been sold before their time and have gone on to forge successful Premier League careers elsewhere.
Dominic Solanke, who scored against Liverpool on Sunday, would be one, but perhaps Raheem Sterling would be a more accurate case, for the England international wanted to leave in 2015 and got his wish when pre-Pep Manchester City paid £49m for the prodigious winger’s services.
It was an acrimonious exit but Sterling will hardly look back at the Anfield exit with regret, going on to win hordes of silverware with the Citizens. Of course, he’s not doing so well now.
Sterling was only 21 when he left Merseyside for pastures new but in goalkeeper terms, Kelleher is also only at the end of his early years and has yet to hit the prime of his career.
Surely this serves as a cautionary tale for a Liverpool side that could make good use of Kelleher’s qualities over the coming years. Allison is probably the best goalkeeper in the world but his fitness levels are a problem.
|
Alisson at Liverpool – Injury Record |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Apps (all comps) |
Games Missed |
|
24/25 |
11 |
15 |
|
23/24 |
32 |
18 |
|
22/23 |
47 |
1 |
|
21/22 |
54 |
2 |
|
20/21 |
42 |
9 |
|
19/20 |
37 |
14 |
|
18/19 |
51 |
0 |
|
17/18 |
49 |
1 |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt |
||
That, of course, is a major factor behind the deal to sign Mamardashvili, but you can’t help but feel Kelleher might be a little aggrieved after such impressive exploits in recent years. He’s well within his rights to want first-choice football, but it’s a shame that probably won’t be at Liverpool.
After all, Alisson has missed so much football across his distinguished Liverpool career.
FSG are usually prudent and savvy when it comes to the transfer market, but you can’t dispute the negligent undertones of Liverpool’s contractual quandary.
The goalkeeping department presents a different problem: with Mamardashvili arriving to rival Alisson in 2025, Slot’s squad will be stocked for an age.
But might it be that Kelleher should remain put? Last season, Klopp pronounced him as “the best number two in the world.” With Alisson routinely picking up fitness knocks, surely he could have stayed on and continued to build himself up.
Instead, it might be a Premier League rival such as Tottenhamb who pick the fruits of Kelleher’s labours over the coming years.
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Tottenham Hotspur are now racing to sign a “superstar” £100m striker during the January transfer window, according to a report.
One of Ange Postecoglou’s main priorities this month is likely to be signing a new defender, given that the ongoing injury crisis at N17 has left him with just one available senior centre-back, namely Radu Dragusin.
However, there are signs that Tottenham may also be keen on strengthening their strike force, with Randal Kolo Muani becoming the latest player to be linked with a move to north London, where he would compete with Dominic Solanke for a starting spot.
Spurs also opened talks with Lille striker Jonathan David last month, highlighting their desire to bring in a new forward at some point in the near future, and they may have just been handed a perfect opportunity to bring in an up-and-coming striker.
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According to a report from TEAMtalk, Brighton & Hove Albion have given the green light for Evan Ferguson to leave the club this month, potentially opening the door for a move to north London, with Spurs ‘racing’ to sign him.
Tottenham are keen on strengthening in a number of areas this month, with the striker being named as one of them, given that Richarlison has underperformed when given the opportunity.
Ferguson could become a key target for Spurs as the January transfer window progresses, with Brighton making him available on loan. Tottenham are ‘eager’ to agree a loan deal, although they want to include an option or obligation to buy in the summer.
The striker, who was previously valued at £100m by the Seagulls, is attracting the interest of a number of Premier League sides, with Chelsea also named as potential suitors, so there may be stiff competition for his signature this month.
The Irishman has not had much of a look in at Brighton this season, with the report revealing that it is likely he will leave his current club this month, at the very least on a loan deal.
However, there are signs he could go on to achieve great things, having been lauded after scoring a well-taken goal in the FA Cup just under two years ago:
Still only 20-years-old, the youngster could be the type of talismanic striker Tottenham need if he is given a consistent run in the team, having already proven he has a keen eye for goal in the Premier League, scoring six goals in each of his last two seasons.
However, Spurs should look to sign Ferguson on a permanent deal rather than a loan, as there is little point in helping Brighton develop a young player just for him to be sent back.
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