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Como and Switzerland star Alisha Lehmann named a Chelsea star as the toughest-ever opponent she has contested against, while also revealing whether she would rather win the World Cup with the Switzerland national team or the Ballon d'Or. Lehmann left Aston Villa for Italy to join Juventus in the summer of 2024 after spending six years in England and joined Como in the summer.

• Lehmann's journey in the WSL and Serie A

  Lehmann came to England at the age of 19 after making her professional debut at Swiss club BSC YB Frauen. In the WSL, the then-teenager signed for West Ham United and spent three seasons at the club. In between, she was briefly sent out on loan to Everton in 2021. With the Hammers, Lehmann finished as a runner-up in the Women's FA Cup in the 2018-19 campaign

  The Swiss forward then signed for Aston Villa and spent the next three seasons before finally moving away from England and heading to Italy. While personally Lehmann did not have a great season and remained sidelined for quite some time with injuries, as a team, Juventus won the league title – marking the first major trophy of her career. After spending only a season with the Italian giants, the 26-year-old signed for Como on a three-year deal 

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  Lehmann picks her favourite opponent

  In a chat with Dillon Deluxe, Lehmann was asked to pick the toughest opponent she has ever faced, to which she said: "I think Millie Bright". She then picked former Aston Villa team-mate and ex-England star Rachel Daly as the best player she has played with.

  Finally, when asked whether she would prefer to win the World Cup with the Switzerland national team or bag the Ballon d'Or, Lehmann said: "World Cup, 100%".

• Lehmann's house in Italy burgled

  Lehmann recently shared a video on Instagram where she captured the state of her bedroom after seeing intruders rifle through her belongings, with the contents of wardrobes and cabinets being flung everywhere. The Switzerland international was not at home at the time of the incident.

  Despite the burglary, Lehmann tried to stay upbeat, as she posted the video with a sarcastic message: "Next time people rob my house, can you please clean up after, cause I’ve got OCD. As someone that likes organisation and cleanliness, the Swiss now faces confusion and mess."

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  When will Lehmann play next for Como?

  Lehmann recently featured in Como's 1-0 loss against Roma in a Serie A clash on Sunday. She will be back in action for the club on December 7, when they take on Parma. In between her playing commitments, Lehmann frequently visits England after linking up with Love Island presenter and partner of Manchester City defender Ruben Dias, Maya Jama, to become the coach of MVPs United in the UK version of Baller League.

As Cody Bellinger transitions from Wrigley Field to Yankee Stadium, the former MVP hopes he can return to the form of an elite slugger once more. Of course, the Yankees certainly hope that, too, with a need to backfill the chasm Juan Soto—who signed as a free agent with the New York Mets—leaves in their lineup offensively.

Bellinger's offensive trajectory has been up-and-down throughout his career, peaking at 167 (67% better than the average batter in terms of OPS+) in his MVP year, 2019, and falling as low as 44 (64% worse than the average) in 2021. He ascended back to elite levels in 2023 when he slashed .307/.356/.525 with the Cubs in 2023, but he regressed in 2024 at .266/.325/.426. Though no one expects him to be a one-for-one Soto replacement, Soto slashed .288/.419/.569 with the Yankees last year (67 OPS+ points better than Bellinger).

A massive, much-publicized advantage the Yankees have for left-handed batters is a short porch in right field. The wall there is as short as 314 feet from home plate.

General manager Brian Cashman made an astute observation speaking to the media, though, in that the Yankees actually get that dimension-based advantage for Bellinger to take advantage of for Their own home games but also six road games against the Tampa Bay Rays, which will be played at the Yankees' Spring Training home, George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The Rays will take residence there temporarily for the season after Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field beyond usability for the 2024 season.

A nice home away from home for the Yanks and Bellinger.

England moved within touching distance of unprecedented World Cup qualifying history after a composed 2-0 victory over Serbia at Wembley maintained their flawless defensive record. With Thomas Tuchel's side yet to concede in the campaign, a clean sheet against Albania would make them the first European nation ever to complete an eight-game qualifying cycle without letting in a single goal.

• England beat Serbia in penultimate qualifier

  England cruised to another victory as they defeated Serbia 2-0 at Wembley on Thursday, stretching their perfect record in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring on the half-hour mark with a crisp volley, before Eberechi Eze came off the bench to curl home a superb late finish and seal a seventh straight win.

  The match followed a familiar pattern in this qualifying cycle, with England asserting dominance early and forcing Serbia to defend deep for long spells. Harry Kane’s movement, Saka’s incisiveness and Declan Rice’s control ensured Serbia were rarely able to build sustained attacks, while England’s defence remained largely untroubled aside from isolated counterattacks.

  England’s clean sheet was also significant, extending their run to seven games without conceding, already a rare feat in UEFA World Cup qualifying. Serbia created a handful of half-chances but were kept at bay through Jordan Pickford’s alert positioning and the strong recovery defending of Ezri Konsa and John Stones. With the win, England closed in on a piece of history never before achieved in a European qualifying group of eight matches.

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  Three Lions closing in on a World Cup qualifying record

  The victory places England on the brink of an unprecedented defensive milestone, one that would underline the transformative impact Tuchel has had since taking charge. Should the Three Lions avoid conceding in their final qualifier against Albania, they would become the first European nation ever to complete an eight-game World Cup qualifying campaign without letting in a goal. It would surpass even the great England side of 1990, which finished a six-game campaign without conceding.

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  Tuchel's side maintain flawless campaign

  Beyond the clean sheet streak, England’s qualifying journey has showcased the depth and discipline required to thrive under Tuchel’s demanding standards. Pickford has now kept ten consecutive competitive clean sheets, supported by a defensive line that has remained calm under pressure and excelled at denying opponents high-value opportunities. Stones, Konsa and Rice have all played crucial roles in sustaining England’s impeccable defensive record.

  This campaign has also highlighted Tuchel’s insistence on competition for places, with no player guaranteed a starting role regardless of club form or reputation. Tuchel has repeatedly stressed that his focus is on building collective unity, and England’s ability to rotate without losing fluidity underscores how deeply the squad has bought into his approach.

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• Albania trip last up in qualifying

  England now travel to Tirana for their final World Cup qualifier to take on Albania, where the chance to make history may serve as a major motivational factor despite the game being a dead rubber. Top spot in the group is already secured and Albania are locked into second place.

  Should England secure the clean sheet, they will step into the 2026 World Cup not only as qualifying history-makers but also as one of the tournament’s most tactically complete and defensively formidable sides.

Aston Villa have now overtaken Liverpool in the race to sign an “outstanding” new defender, with Newcastle United also keen.

Villa still keen on new additions amid uptick in form

Villa endured a slow start to the Premier League season, with the 3-0 home defeat against Crystal Palace likely to be considered a low point, but they have really managed to turn things around over the past few weeks.

Indeed, the Villans have now won five matches on the spin in all competitions, most recently defeating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on the road, courtesy of a first-half stunner from Morgan Rogers, which was followed up by a winner from Emi Buenda with a little under 15 minutes remaining.

Unai Emery will be very pleased about the recent uptick in form, which has seen his side rise to 11th in the Premier League table, but the manager clearly still feels a fresh injection of quality is needed, with a new centre-back of interest.

That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which states Aston Villa have now overtaken Liverpool in the race for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez, given that Arne Slot’s side have recently decided to cool their interest.

Alongside Villa, Newcastle are also credited with a strong interest in the defender, but the Premier League sides may need to shell out a relatively high fee to get a deal over the line, with it being revealed he could command a fee of around €50m (£43m).

Both English sides should be well-positioned to get a deal done, however, with it previously being revealed that Ordonez is keen on a move to the Premier League.

"Outstanding" Ordonez could excel at Villa Park

Lauded as an “outstanding young footballer” by journalist Graeme Bailey, the Ecuadorian is a key player for Club Brugge, having made ten appearances in all competitions this season, during which time he has put in some eye-catching performances.

Aston Villa approach made for record-breaking forward with his coaches contacted too

The Villans are keen to strike to land another offensive option.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Oct 18, 2025

One of the 21-year-old’s best displays actually came in the Champions League, which is an encouraging sign, with the youngster making a number of important defensive contributions to keep AS Monaco at bay and help his side secure a comfortable 4-1 win last month.

Scout Ben Mattinson has hailed the Brugge star for his ability in possession too, describing him “secure on the ball”, while also adding he “anticipates well” and “has the pace to recover”.

Villa’s defence has not been a major problem this season, having shipped just eight goals in eight Premier League games, but there are plenty of signs that Ordonez could be a solid long-term addition to Emery’s backline.

The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are set to meet in the World Series for the 12th time in history beginning on Friday, Oct. 25. It's the most reccurring World Series matchup in MLB history.

The Yankees will make their first World Series appearance in 15 years. They've won 27 times, which is the MLB record. The Dodgers last competed in the 2020 World Series when they won their seventh title.

As MLB awaits to crown this year's winner, here's everything you need to know about the 2024 World Series.

Full World Series Schedule

Below is the full schedule for the 2024 World Series. It's a best-of-7 series, so games that may not be needed are denoted as such.

Which Teams Are Playing in the 2024 World Series?

The Yankees and the Dodgers will compete in the 2024 World Series. The Dodges had an MLB best 98–64 regular season record. The Yankees posted a 84–68 regular season record.

Both teams were the No. 1 seeds in the American and National Leagues in the postseason, meaning they had wild-card byes.

The Yankees faced the Kansas City Royals in the ALDS, winning the best-of-five series 3–1 to advance to the ALCS. From there, the Yankees beat the Cleveland Guardians 4–1 to reach the World Series.

The Dodgers played the San Diego Padres in the NLDS, winning a close 3–2 series victory. The Dodgers then faced the red hot New York Mets in the NLCS, capturing a 4–2 series win.

Series Format

The World Series is a best-of-seven series, meaning the victorious team needs to win four games to capture the title.

Even though both the Yankees and the Dodgers were both the No. 1 seeds, the Dodgers had the better regular season record, meaning they get the first home field advantage. The series will be played in Los Angeles for Games 1 and 2, followed by going to New York for Games 3, 4 and 5, if needed. Then, the series would head back to Los Angeles if Games 6 or 7 are needed.

Game-by-Game Scores and Results

Manchester United legend David Beckham has spoken of his pride after being officially knighted by King Charles. The former England captain's long-awaited knighthood was confirmed in the King's Birthday Honours list in June for his services to sport and charity. He received the award at a ceremony on Tuesday in Berkshire, which was attended by his family, including wife Victoria, who will now be known as Lady Beckham.

• Beckham knighted by King Charles

  Beckham's knighthood has been years in the making since becoming arguably the best-known footballer in the world in the 1990s with Manchester United. He increased his international fame by joining Real Madrid in 2003 and later LA Galaxy before becoming a co-owner at Inter Miami. Beckham, who grew up in east London but moved to United's academy as a teenager, made his Red Devils' debut in 1992 and consolidated his place in Sir Alex Ferguson's side in 1996, later becoming one of the most important players in the team's historic treble win in 1999. 

  He became England captain in 2000, two years after becoming a figure of hate for being sent off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup. Beckham quickly redeemed himself in supporters' eyes by qualifying England for the 2002 World Cup with his last-gasp free-kick against Greece. 

  Beckham ended his trophy-laden time with United to join Real Madrid in a £25m ($32m) deal in 2003, winning the La Liga title in his final season in the Spanish capital. He saw out his career with LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer and also played for AC Milan on loan before finally hanging up his boots while with Paris Saint-Germain in 2013. 

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  Beckham: Royal family most important institution in world

  "It's a very proud day for us as a family today," Beckham said after being knighted. "I grew up in the east end of London in a very humble family and my dream was always to become a professional footballer to play for Manchester United to play for my country. Everything else that has come with that has been incredible. But today to be honoured by one of the most important institutions in the world and one of the most respected institutions in the world, being an East End boy, it's a very proud day."

• Beckham: People around world want to discuss royal family

  "The monarchy has always been very important in our family, my grandparents, my parents, myself, my kids," Beckham added. "The royal family have always played a huge role. I've always had huge respect for our royal family. Especially when I get to travel around the world, people want to talk to me about our royal family and that shows how much respect people have, and to be here to receive a knighthood by his majesty the King is pretty surreal."

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  Beckham waited 12 hours to see Queen lying in state

  Off the pitch, Beckham played a key role in London's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games and has worked with humanitarian aid charity Unicef since 2005. A fiercely proud royalist, Beckham queued for 12 hours to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state following her death in 2022. He was named ambassador for the King's Foundation in 2024, supporting the monarch's education programme.

Aston Villa entered the season with high expectations after last year’s sixth-place finish, but their early form has left much to be desired.

They secured only their first league win of the campaign against Fulham last weekend, a result that at least lifted them away from the bottom three.

Currently sat 16th in the Premier League with a goal difference of -2, Villa’s league form has been a stark contrast to their performances in Europe.

In the Europa League, they look far more assured, sitting third in their league phase after victories over Bologna and Feyenoord.

The European stage seems to suit Unai Emery’s side, who benefit from his tactical nous in knockout football.

Yet domestically, inconsistency has plagued them. It is in moments like these that clubs look back on players who define stability, leadership and consistency.

These are the traits Villa fans fondly remember in one of their greatest-ever servants, Gareth Barry.

The need for a player like Gareth Barry

For over a decade, Barry embodied everything Aston Villa aspired to be: steady, disciplined, and adaptable.

After joining Villa’s youth system from Brighton, he went on to make 439 appearances, scoring 52 goals and providing 47 assists.

His versatility made him indispensable – capable of anchoring midfield, dictating play from deep, or even filling in at left-back when required.

Barry’s crowning trait was composure.

Rarely one for spectacular moments, his intelligence and positional discipline allowed his sides to control games.

He was central to Villa’s push for Europe in the mid-2000s and started in their 2000 FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

His consistency also earned him 53 England caps, including a place in the 2010 World Cup squad.

Liverpool made multiple attempts to sign him in pursuit of Champions League experience, but he eventually joined Manchester City in 2009 for £12m, where he became part of the early foundations of their modern dominance.

Barry’s style was defined by calmness under pressure.

He was not the quickest, but his stamina, strength in duels, and tactical intelligence allowed him to excel against more naturally gifted players.

By keeping things simple – short passes, smart diagonals, and constant recycling of possession – he gave Villa stability and ensured that more adventurous teammates could thrive.

Villa’s current side, struggling for rhythm in the league, need someone of that profile: a midfielder who combines defensive resilience with technical composure, someone who dictates tempo while protecting the back line.

That responsibility now falls to Boubacar Kamara.

Aston Villa's new Gareth Barry

Signed on a free transfer from Marseille in 2022, Kamara has quickly grown into one of Villa’s most important players.

The 25-year-old French international, valued at around £35m, operates primarily as a defensive midfielder but can also cover at centre-back when needed.

His arrival was seen as a coup at the time, with former manager Steven Gerrard instrumental in convincing him to join.

Since then, this “jewel” of a footballer, as hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has made 104 appearances, scoring twice and providing four assists.

While those numbers may not leap off the page, his influence lies elsewhere.

Villa are undeniably a different side when he plays, providing structure, control, and balance.

His absence last season was felt keenly whenever injuries sidelined him, underlining just how integral he has become.

The statistics reinforce his importance.

Kamara ranks in the 80th percentile for pass completion (88.2%), showing his reliability in possession.

Defensively, he is in the 86th percentile for clearances (2.34 per 90) and 83rd percentile for aerial duels won (1.6 per 90).

On his return to the starting XI against Feyenoord, Kamara marked the occasion with an assist, further proof of his ability to influence both phases of play.

Like Barry before him, he is not a headline-grabber like the goalscoring John McGinn, but rather the glue that holds the team together. For Emery, keeping Kamara fit will be vital.

He provides the shield in front of the defence, allowing creative players like Morgan Rogers and Emi Buendía – as well as McGinn – to flourish higher up the pitch.

Without him, Villa lack both the balance and the resilience required to compete on both domestic and European fronts.

Just as Barry once quietly dictated Villa’s tempo, Kamara represents the modern equivalent: disciplined, technical, and reliable.

If Aston Villa are to climb the league table and turn their European promise into genuine success, their fortunes may rest on whether Kamara can stay fit and continue to step up as their present-day answer to a club legend.

Fewer touches than Bizot: Emery must now drop 6/10 Aston Villa man

Aston Villa picked up another win in the Champions League on their travels to Feyenoord.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Oct 3, 2025

Who are the scariest footballers ever to play in America, at the club or international level? For Halloween, GOAL takes a look

It's spooky season. From pumpkins and scarecrows, to werewolves and Frankenstein, to candy corn and caramel apples, Halloween is a special holiday for many in United States.

It's a time for frights, scares, nerves and excitement, and that got the team at GOAL US thinking: Who are the scariest footballers to ever to play in American soccer, at either the club or international level?

Ex-U.S. international Pablo Mastroeni? What about FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga, someone who likely still haunts Diego Lainez's dreams? Not scary enough? How about Zlatan Ibrahimovic? During his time in MLS, he was utterly terrifying. Oh, and let's not forget the USMNT's own Clint Dempsey.

Whether enforcers by nature, or simply intimidating from the first step on the pitch, GOAL – in celebration of All Hallow's eve on Thursday – looks at five of the most frightening players American soccer has ever seen.

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  Zlatan Ibrahimovic

  One of the most famous players to ever step foot in MLS, Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived and was immediately considered the most imposing figure in the league. Nicknamed , the Swede was a leader, but one who spread fear into opponents. Strong, tall, and skillful, he boasted a mentality unlike any other.

  You could try speaking to him on the field, but he would brush you aside like a tumbleweed in the wind. You could play well against him, and he would purposely act as if he didn't know who you were. The sheer amount of confidence he exuded made him unapproachable, and it struck fear into those around him.

  Speaking to ESPN in 2022 after departing the league, that confidence was put on full display: "I was too good for the whole competition. That is what I showed," the Swede said. "And I'm the best ever to play in MLS and that is not me having ego or trying to show off now."

  That is true. Standing 6-5 with a menacing stare, he was a towering figure in the attack, and if you saw him charging at you or leaping over you for a header, you were immediately on your back foot.

  He was Zlatan, after all. The world's villain, Europe's biggest footballing personality for more than a decade, then one of the most daunting players in the MLS. He knew what he was, and he played like it.

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  Jermaine Jones

  Jermaine Jones scored what is arguably the most stunning goal in U.S. men's national team history. However, when his name is brought up, it's not the strike or individual moments you remember. Rather, it's what he brought to the pitch.

  He was a proper workhorse. Nonstop, always fighting, always arguing, always defending the badge. During his time with the USMNT, he was the one midfielder on the pitch that truly never stopped, and if you were in trouble on the field, he would have your back.

  Unafraid of contact – or any opponent – Jones played with an intensity that few could match.

  Often carefully reckless, Jones was cocky, and played with an arrogance that he backed up with performances on the pitch. For opposing players, he was a impossible to solve. He would rile up foes, get in their heads and play mind games. For teammates, though, he was the ultimate force in the middle of the park.

  A nightmare for referees and teams at both the club and country level, Jones was a terrifying competitor.

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  Ozzie Alonso

  Nicknamed , Alonso is one of MLS' greatest-ever midfielders, and is arguably the best villain to ever take the pitch in the league.

  Scrappy, yet composed, Alonso ran the midfield during his time in the league with the Seattle Sounders, Atlanta United and Minnesota United. Playing the No. 6 position as a CDM, Alonso was one of the first real in the middle of the park. Someone who went into every tackle with the confidence he would win it, and if a fight came as a result of the tackle, he would win that, too.

  He never backed down from a challenge, never stepped away from an argument, and more often than not, was the instigator in both situations.

  What made him scary, though, was his mobility on the pitch. For as much as he attacked, he created just as much to draw the balance level. From goals to assists to outlandish cross-field passes, the Cuban midfielder was a creative menace in the middle of the park.

  Sounders fans will never forget his stoppage-time winner in the 2011 US Open Cup, in which he ran around an entire defense, and the opposition goalkeeper, to calmly slot home.

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  Oguchi Onyewu

  Ask anybody in U.S. Soccer about Oguchi Onyewu, and you will only hear good things. Considered one of the nicest and most kind individuals to ever come through the program, to friends and colleagues, he was a giant teddybear.

  However, he was also a 6-4 defender and, on the pitch, not someone you ever wanted to cross.

  There's only one story you need to know about Onyewu: The day he almost put Zlatan in a hospital, and without teammate intervention, it could have been worse. While playing for AC Milan in 2010, during a 5v5 training session, Onyewu and Ibrahimovic clashed, as told by former teammate Alexandre Pato on the Fala, Brasólho podcast.

  "Let me tell you in detail," Pato relayed. "So we went to play a little game, like 5v5. Onyewu is a big defender. Ibra had the ball so he went to mark him, then Onyewu unintentionally hit him, 'BAM.' The thing is Ibra’s foot is huge, so it was hard to tackle without hitting it. We knew it had no malice. Onyewu was just coming from an injury and starting to train again. He controlled the ball with his back to Ibra, then Ibra went in with both feet on Onyewu, really trying to hurt him.

  “They both fell to the ground. Onyewu got up calmly. He was really nice, with a heart of gold. Ibra is more impulsive, he got up immediately and started insulting him. Ibra was cursing in Swedish, we didn’t understand what he was saying. He tried to grab Onyewu like this (by the collar), and tried to throw him to the ground.

  “What did Onyewu do? He grabbed Ibra and ‘BAM.' He threw him down instead. It was easy for Onyewu, like drinking a glass of water. Imagine Ibra, that guy is huge. But Onyewu grabbed him and threw him to the ground easily. He then jumped on top of him, pinned him down, and raised his arm.

  “When he did that, I said to him: ‘Stop, my God, stop. You’re going to kill him!' If we didn’t break it up, I don’t know what would’ve happened to Ibra.”

Tottenham Hotspur splashed a fee of £30m to sign winger Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window after his loan spell in North London came to an end.

The France U21 international spent the second half of last season on loan with Ange Postecoglou’s side, scoring three goals and providing one assist in all competitions.

Spurs and former chairman Daniel Levy opted to make that loan deal permanent for £30m, despite the change in head coach, to provide him with a chance to impress under Thomas Frank.

Unfortunately, the ex-Brentford manager opted to leave the 20-year-old winger out of his squad for the league phase of the Champions League, which does not bode well for the young talent.

Tel did score two goals for France’s U21s during the international break earlier this month, which shows that he does still have potential to be a success at Spurs, but he needs to show it in domestic matches this season.

The French forward will be hoping that he does not join the list of expensive wingers who have failed to make a success of themselves in North London.

Ranking Tottenham's most expensive winger signings

Tel, who can play as a left-winger or as a centre-forward, ranks among the top five most expensive winger signings in the club’s history if Transfermarkt fees are taken into account.

As you can see in the table above, summer signing Mohammed Kudus tops the list, whilst club legend Heung-min Son also features at the bottom.

If pressed to rank those five signings, Son would have to be at the top of the list. He scored 173 goals and provided 101 assists in 451 matches, per Transfermarkt, along with captaining the side to a Europa League trophy.

Brennan Johnson, meanwhile, has to be ranked in second place in this moment of time, simply because he scored the winning goal in a European final for Spurs against Manchester United at the end of last season.

Irrespective of what the Wales international did before that or what he will go on to do, that moment alone makes his signing and the fee paid for him worthwhile.

It is too soon to judge Kudus, who only arrived this summer, whilst Lamela should be third on this list. The Argentine forward had longevity on his side, as he racked up 37 goals and 46 assists in 257 outings for Spurs, per Transfermarkt.

That leaves Steven Bergwijn, who joined from PSV in 2020, at the bottom of the pile. He only lasted two-and-a-half years at the club, and the forward only scored eight competitive goals in that time.

The Netherlands international scored eight goals and provided ten assists in 83 appearances for Tottenham, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he was not as effective or impactful as Johnson, Son, or Lamela.

Bergwijn was an expensive flop on the wing, one that Tel is looking to avoid being a repeat of, and there is a winger at the club who is in danger of being the next version of the Dutch forward.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Tottenham swooped to sign French winger Wilson Odobert from Burnley for a fee of £25m in the summer of 2024, and he has yet to prove his worth on the pitch.

Why Wilson Odobert may be the next Steven Bergwijn

The young forward was signed for a similar fee to Bergwijn and his performances on the field for the club have done little to dismiss a comparison between the two.

It is worth noting that Odobert struggled with hamstring injuries last season, which disrupted his progress, but his displays when fit and available offered little encouragement.

The 20-year-old winger, who is the same age as Tel, has scored one goal and created one ‘big chance’ in 21 appearances in the Premier League for Spurs to date, via Sofascore, with his latest showing coming against Brighton at the weekend.

Thomas Frank handed the youngster an opportunity to shine on the left flank, but the Frenchman ended the game with zero out of three dribbles completed, zero out of five duels won, and no key passes or shots on target in 72 minutes, per Sofascore.

Odobert, who was described as “incredibly raw” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, was an expensive signing for Spurs, at £25m, and just falls short of being one of the five most expensive wide signings in the club’s history, which is why it is not too harsh to expect more from the former Burnley man.

As you can see in the table above, Tel, who joined on loan in January, provided more quality at the top end of the pitch than his fellow France U21 international did in the Premier League last season.

These statistics suggest that Odobert offers even less than Tel does in the final third, as both a scorer and, certainly, as a creator from a wide or central berth.

The 20-year-old forward, of course, has plenty of time left to turn things around and prove to supporters and the club that the money spent to bring him in from Burnley was worthwhile, rather than becoming the next Bergwijn, who was an expensive flop on the wing.

However, the signs are not promising at this moment in time. We can only judge on what has happened so far, and Odobert has not done enough on the pitch to suggest that his fortunes are going to turn around any time soon.

Forget Kudus & Richarlison: Spurs' 7/10 gem is becoming Frank's best player

Tottenham Hotspur have uncovered a new talent under Thomas Frank over recent weeks.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 21, 2025

Therefore, the French winger is the one who is in danger of becoming the next Bergwijn, rather than Tel, who showed some glimpses of quality in the Premier League last term.

Everton have come on leaps and bounds since David Moyes returned to the helm in January after so many years away.

However, there are plenty of wrinkles that still need ironing out, with Tuesday evening’s Carabao Cup defeat at Molineux illustrating that fact. The Toffees have gone 30 years without silverware, and Wolverhampton Wanderers handed them their fourth third-round defeat in the competition in five years.

One point from six available in recent Premier League outings, a point against Aston Villa at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and then defeat at Anfield, emphasise the task on Moyes’ hands if he wishes to restore the Merseysiders to their one-time standing and consistency during his first term at the club, but he has the tools to achieve this.

After all, Everton signed Jack Grealish from Manchester City on loan for the duration of the 2025/26 season, didn’t they?

The Jack Grealish effect

Grealish was at a crossroads this summer, having fallen by the wayside at Man City, sinking further and further into the fringes across the second half of his time at the illustrious outfit.

Everton and Moyes offered him a lifeline, and he has taken it with both hands, already registering four assists in the Premier League and being crowned the division’s Player of the Month for August.

Everton lacked fluency and drive in attack last season, and they needed a more passionate approach this year.

But Grealish wears his passion on his sleeves, and he’s built upon a skillset of flair and guile and sparkle. Pep Guardiola once hailed the Three Lions star for his “aggressive” nature on the pitch, but this wasn’t always on show at City.

Now, though, the 30-year-old has restored his bite down the left flank, not just creating but getting stuck in too, with Sofascore recording that he has averaged 7.2 duels per game so far.

Grealish is a sensation, but whether he is the finest forward in Everton’s ranks is a debatable thing when Iliman Ndiaye also plies his craft under Moyes’ wing.

Moyes has hit the jackpot on Iliman Ndiaye

Ndiaye has been a revelation at Everton, signed for just £15m in July 2024. Only spending one term in France with Marseille, the Senegalese winger struggled to get going after previously starring in the Championship with Sheffield United, where his performances earned many plaudits.

And he picked up where he left off in England, hailed for his “dynamite” quality when on the ball by Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp.

Across all competitions last term, Ndiaye scored 11 goals for the Toffees, more than any of his teammates.

He hasn’t quite settled into his finest form this season, but Ndiaye has still been fantastic under Moyes’ wing, scoring twice and assisting once.

When collating his match data with Grealish’s over these opening weeks of the campaign, it becomes all the more clear that Grealish has some fierce internal competition as he plays his way toward contention for the Player of the Year and indeed steers Everton to heights unscaled in many recent years.

As you can see, most of the effusive noise might be directed toward Grealish so far this term, but Ndiaye is on a level with the England international, and he’s five years younger besides.

Both are electric and pacy players, and there’s a neat balance in Grealish’s playmaking emphasis and Ndiaye’s more direct approach.

It’s also worth noting that the former Marseille man is earning just £45k per week at Everton, and while a bumper pay rise is sure to be on technical director Angus Kinnear’s radar, it’s an illustration of the shrewd business completed in reeling him over. Farhad Moshiri’s dysfunctional reign was characterised by many bungled deals, but credit must be paid for the addition of Ndiaye.

Grealish, meanwhile, is one of the best-paid players in the Premier League, and though he’s playing like it across the opening weeks of his Everton career, Ndiaye is quite the wide forward himself – and he’s permanently on the Toffees books besides.

In any case, both superstars are more than happy to be playing their football on Merseyside, beaming grins clear for all to see.

While Everton have hit the jackpot with the addition of Grealish, it’s important to remember that he is only a loanee. A permanent stay down the line isn’t out of the question, but it will present a new financial obstacle for Kinnear and co.

Ndiaye is already on the books, of course, and he just keeps on going from strength to strength, potent in the final third but also a willing defender, a crisp passer and a breakneck runner.

Data-driven platform FBref underscore all this. Across the past year, the African talent ranks among the top 17% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe for pass completion, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 9% for tackles per 90.

Watch him continue to improve. Here is a talisman. Here is a player who can match Moyes’ ambitions over the coming years.

Everton must only resist any inevitable efforts from interested parties, and while a price tag is unknown, it’s clear that the Toffees would demand a stratospheric sum for their star.

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