It is safe to say that Celtic supporters were not best pleased with how the board conducted themselves during the summer transfer window that slammed shut at the start of last month.

A section of the fanbase decided to protest the first 12 minutes of the 2-1 win over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership in the first match after the window closed.

Some Celtic supporters also held up banners, with one reading “sack the board”, during the club’s 0-0 draw with Hibernian in the Premiership last weekend.

This shows that there is at least a section of the fanbase that is not happy with how the club is being run, which comes after they sold and failed to replace Adam Idah on deadline day, followed by the signing of Kelechi Iheanacho on a free transfer the day after the window.

Celtic have had four goalless draws in all competitions so far this season, including both games against Kairat in the Champions League play-off round, which speaks to their lack of quality recruitment in Brendan Rodgers’ attacking department.

However, few would argue that the signing of Sebastian Tounekti from Hammarby for a fee of around £5m on deadline day has been a good piece of business for the Hoops.

Where Sebastian Tounekti ranks among Celtic's summer signings

The Scottish giants made 11 additions to their squad during the summer window. That is, if we include Iheanacho, despite him being signed 24 hours after the window slammed shut.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Ross Doohan, Hayato Inamura, Shin Yamada, and Callum Osmand have all either rarely touched the pitch or not played a single minute for the first-team this season, which means that they are yet to prove themselves to be among the best signings of the window.

Kieran Tierney returning to Parkhead on a free transfer from Arsenal was a slam dunk of a signing. He is a proven player who knows what it takes to play for Celtic, which means that there was little risk attached to that deal.

Iheanacho, meanwhile, has had mixed success so far. The centre-forward scored goals against Kilmarnock and Red Star Belgrade, but he also missed two ‘big chances’ against Red Star and two ‘big chances’ against Hibernian, which shows that his finishing has been inconsistent.

Benjamin Nygren has a valid claim to be the best signing of the summer so far. The Swedish star is the club’s top scorer in the Premiership, with three goals, and is one of only four players to have registered an assist in the league, per WhoScored.

25/26 Premiership

Sebastian Tounekti

Celtic rank

Shots per game

3.5

1st

Key passes per game

3.0

1st

Dribbles per game

2.5

1st

Crosses per game

1.0

Joint-4th

Interceptions per game

1.0

Joint-4th

Stats via WhoScored

As you can see in the table above, Tounekti has pressed his claim forward to be heralded as the best signing of the summer in his first two appearances in the Premiership, already leading the way in the squad for shots, key passes, and dribbles per game.

The Tunisia international also opened his account for the Scottish giants with a strike in the 4-0 win over Partick Thistle in the League Cup last month.

Given that Nygren has added an end product to his performances in the Premiership, with one goal and two assists, Tounekti may have to settle for being the second-best signing of the summer so far.

The success that the Tunisian star has already had at Parkhead, though, could mean that one Celtic attacker is already on borrowed time at the club.

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Hyun-jun Yang may have to look for a move away from the club during the January transfer window because of the success of Tounekti and what that means for the right-sided attacker moving forward.

Why Tounekti may have ended Yang's Celtic career

It is no secret that the South Korea international was close to moving on from the Scottish giants during the summer transfer window amid interest from EFL Championship side Birmingham City.

The Blues, who signed Kyogo Furuhashi in the summer, had a £3m deal lined up for the right-footed attacker, but they were not willing to wait around on deadline day and opted to sign another former Celtic winger, Patrick Roberts.

Tounekti’s arrival from Hammarby on deadline day came too late in the day for Birmingham to hold out, but that meant that the Tunisia international came through the door and Yang stayed.

A goal against Partick Thistle in the League Cup is his only goal contribution of the campaign so far, and he was left out of the matchday squad for the 0-0 draw with Hibernian last weekend.

Yang, who was described as a “raw” player by Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, has not done enough in his three appearances in the Premiership this season to suggest that he is going to win his place back in the team.

25/26 Premiership

Yang

Percentile rank vs wingers

xG

0.36

Bottom 35%

Goals

0

Bottom 3%

Shots

2

Bottom 10%

xA

0.21

Bottom 35%

Assists

0

Bottom 3%

Chances created

1

Bottom 3%

Dribbles completed

1

Bottom 10%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, the South Korean attacker ranks poorly among his positional peers in the division in a host of key attacking metrics.

Tounekti has created five more chances (six) and completed four more dribbles (five) than Yang in just two outings in the division, which speaks to the gulf in quality between the two players at the top end of the pitch.

Whilst Tounekti, of course, plays on the opposite flank to Yang, his arrival at Parkhead has meant that fellow summer signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha is having to get into the side by playing on the right wing, whilst star forward Daizen Maeda has also been shifted over to the right.

Therefore, Yang, especially given how close he was to leaving in the summer, is surely on borrowed time because of the success of the Tunisian star, as it has meant that he has dropped down the pecking order in his position as a result of other players having to move across the pitch.

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Unless the former Gangwon star can turn his fortunes around and start to prove that he can deliver consistent quality at the top end of the pitch, a January exit could be on the cards for the winger.

Of Alexander Isak, Arne Slot said, “We have to build him up gradually.” There will be an expectation from some that Liverpool should field their record-breaking recruit from the get-go after such an expensive and charged transfer saga, but this isn’t the case.

And anyway, Liverpool have already integrated Hugo Ekitike into Slot’s squad, with the 23-year-old Frenchman having scored three goals and supplied one assist from his opening four matches in a Red shirt.

There’s no doubt that the Reds have broken the bank this summer; Slot has acknowledged this himself. But with such remarkable and calculated investment, there are the means for healthy rotation that will allow Isak to ease into life on Merseyside after playing so little football over the past three months.

One constant, of course, is the persisting presence of Mohamed Salah on the right flank. Fitness permitting, it’s unlikely the Egyptian King will be hauled from his place on the right wing with any consistency this season.

Salah is 33, though, and Liverpool must begin to plan for their talisman’s departure, with Federico Chiesa and perhaps Jeremie Frimpong the only real alternatives.

Mohamed Salah's Liverpool future

Salah penned a new contract in April, ending fears of a departure on a free transfer at the end of the 2024/25 season. He will stay on the books until 2027, but the chances of another renewal are slim, it must be said.

Last season, he scored 34 goals and served 23 assists across all competitions, practically single-handedly dragging Slot’s Liverpool to the title. That’s not actually true, of course, but there’s no denying Salah’s matchless influence, a strong current at the heart of most of Liverpool’s attacking play.

With a goal and an assist from three Premier League matches so far this season, the veteran will continue to play a big role, although the weight of responsibility has been lifted by the signings of players like Isak and Ekitike.

Might this have a positive effect on Salah, who surely fancies his chances of adding 22 goals to his haul before his time comes at Liverpool, and he eclipses Wayne Rooney and maybe Harry Kane to stand as the Premier League’s second-highest scorer in history?

Alan Shearer

441

260

Harry Kane

320

213

Wayne Rooney

491

208

Mohamed Salah

304

187

Andy Cole

414

187

In any case, Liverpool will need to sign a successor before long, and it’s sure to be a costly bid at that. With that in mind, perhaps FSG might come to regret having sold a young star who has the potential to replace Salah down the line.

Liverpool sold their dream Salah heir

Ben Gannon Doak has been regarded as one of the finest young prospects in British football right from the start of his career in Scotland with Celtic, where he featured four times for the seniors before joining Liverpool in 2022 for €700k (about £600k).

The 19-year-old was billed as Liverpool material, all right, but he only ended up playing ten times for the Reds, injured when breaking through in 2023/24 before spending last season on loan in the Championship with Middlesbrough, where he notched ten goal involvements from just 24 matches.

The power and precision that are natural parts of Gannon Doak’s arsenal have led to comparisons with the above-mentioned Rooney, who likewise played with unusual physicality and gusto when emerging at Everton and when finding his feet with Manchester United.

Actually remarked to play “like a Scottish Wayne Rooney” in 2024 by his agent Jackie McNamara, the teenager’s style and performances so far lend credence to the comparisons, for sure.

Thanks to data platform FBref, we can note that Doak ranked among the top 5% of positional peers in the Championship last year for assists, the top 5% for key passes, the top 8% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for progressive carries per 90.

Rooney, as we have seen earlier, retired as one of the most prolific and decorated players in Premier League history. As yet, Gannon Doak has but three appearances to his name in England’s top flight, and searches for his duck-breaking goal.

But the talent is there, it really is, and Liverpool might come to regret having sold the youngster to Bournemouth, even for a £25m fee, even with a buyback clause wedged into that contract on the south coast.

Former Scotland manager Craig Levein certainly recognised Gannon Doak’s potential from the off, saying, “This kid could be a world-class player.”

The evidence hardly suggests the contrary. Sure, the winger has one long road to travel before entering conversations even on the fringes of the park in which Salah sits, but his athletic style, powerful running and direct approach against defenders all suggest such a future is within the realm of possibility.

Furthermore, he demonstrated when on loan at Middlesbrough a capacity for show-stopping goals to complement his physical qualities and success as a playmaker.

Bournemouth have got themselves a gem. Because Gannon Doak has opted to follow the track taken by Dominic Solanke before him and many more sharing similarities of pathway, leaving an elite outfit to develop their skills in a setting more promotive of rising prospects looking to reach the top.

As with Rooney at Everton early on, Gannon Doak might now find himself in line to rise to the fore and stand out in the Premier League, playing under Andoni Iraola’s wing and blooming into a top talent.

Maybe the plan is for the player to enjoy several seasons with the Cherries before returning to Anfield with a more refined touch, but the details of the buyback clause are unknown, and there’s every chance that Gannon Doak has played his last for Liverpool and will instead go from strength to strength elsewhere.

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Glasgow Rangers are eyeing a “tremendous” young manager as Russell Martin’s successor at Ibrox, with the free agent coach now seen as an option alongside the heavily linked former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl.

Rohl emerges as early Ibrox candidate

The Gers are on the lookout for their next boss, following the sacking of Martin over the weekend, in a decision that felt like it had been coming for a while.

The 39-year-old simply didn’t perform to the level many Rangers fans expected when he was appointed during the summer, with Sunday’s 1-1 draw away to Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership leaving them 11 points adrift of leaders Hearts, and eighth in the table.

Unsurprisingly, plenty of names are already being thrown around as possible replacements for Martin, including the former Sheffield Wednesday manager, who is currently without a club. Rohl is reportedly admired by those high up at Rangers, but would be another gamble on a young, inexperienced boss.

In terms of a more experienced head, Sean Dyche has also been linked with the now vacant Ibrox dugout, with the ex-Everton boss proving himself in the Premier League for many years, and he’s not the only Englishman in the mix.

Rangers keen on Gerrard after McCoist show of support

According to a report from talkSPORT, Rangers are eyeing a potential reunion with Steven Gerrard alongside their admiration for Rohl, seeing the Liverpool legend as an alternative option to the German. The 45-year-old famously won the Scottish Premiership title with the Gers back in 2020/21, instantly making him a hero, although his exit to Aston Villa didn’t go down too well at the time.

Gerrard is represented by the Wasserman group, who manage top coaches like Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe. And a move back to Rangers certainly feels like a good option, with the former Liverpool midfielder already knowing the club well, not to mention delivering success.

His former assistant at Al-Ettifaq, Dean Holden, even revealed he would “pay” to work under the 45 year-old because of how he sees the game: “Steven Gerrard sees the game differently, as his assistant I learned so much. He empowered me to be creative and come up with ideas, to challenge him. He’s a really generous guy and I am grateful for the opportunity – I felt like I got five years of experience from him in a year.

“In any other industry, you would pay for the experiences I had. If you were a doctor, you’d pay to go and observe the best brain surgeon in the world.”

Granted, his managerial career hasn’t necessarily progressed hugely since that spell in Saudi Arabia, but former Gers hero Ally McCoist lauded him after the aforementioned title win four years ago.

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Rangers fans are sure to be divided over who they want to see come in, but whatever happens, those high up at the club cannot afford to rush that person and bring in the wrong person. Philippe Clement struggled in charge and Martin was even more disappointing, and the Gers must avoid past errors when it comes to hiring.

With the October international break now in the rearview mirror, club football returned in style over the weekend, with some huge clashes headlining Europe's biggest leagues. Manchester United plunged great rivals Liverpool into even deeper crisis in the Premier League, Bayern Munich got the better of Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker while there were changes of leader in both Serie A and Ligue 1.

On an individual level, some of the main contenders for the 2026 Ballon d'Or continued their fine starts to the season while there was a managerial sacking in England that many saw coming a mile off but still generated huge headlines around the world for just how quickly it came once the action got back under way.

GOAL breaks down the 10 biggest winners and losers from around Europe this past weekend…

Getty Images SportWINNER: Ruben Amorim

It might have taken him 11 months and 51 matches, but Ruben Amorim has won back-to-back matches as Manchester United manager. For so long the Red Devils have lurched from one crisis point to another, so it actually feels a little strange to be talking about them being in a position to capitalise on some forward momentum.

That Amorim backed up the win over Sunderland from before the international break with victory over United's eternal rivals Liverpool will have made this even sweeter for Red Devils supporters. Not since Wayne Rooney netted the winner on Merseyside in 2016 had United won at Anfield, but their performance in Sunday's 2-1 was not only deserving of the three points but also pointed to Amorim being able to eventually bring some consistency to Old Trafford.

Ever since he replaced Erik ten Hag at the helm, questions have been asked as to whether Amorim can actually bring sustained success back to the Theatre of Dreams due to his insistence on playing a 3-4-3 formation that his squad aren't a fit for. However, if Casemiro can continue rolling back the years, Bruno Fernandes can maintain his current energy levels and Senne Lammens can build on his solid start to life in the United goal, then they certainly have the talent in attack to turn this ship around.

Time will tell as to whether this result truly was lift-off for Amorim, but he couldn't have (eventually) got himself a better launching pad.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLOSER: Ange Postecoglou

Has there ever been a more inevitable sacking coming back from an international break than Ange Postecoglou's dismissal by Nottingham Forest? Probably not, and even then it came as a shock that the Australian's removal from the City Ground dugout was confirmed just following Forest's 3-0 loss to Chelsea on Saturday.

Postecoglou was on a hiding to nothing following his appointment in September after replacing the immensely popular Nuno Espirito Santo, with few seeing many similarities between the two coaches' respective footballing philosophies, and thus he needed results to win over both the Forest fans and players. Instead, Postecoglou oversaw a 39-day tenure that resulted in six defeats and two draws across all competitions and that leaves them inside the Premier League's relegation zone just six months on from being entrenched in the top four.

Of course, the former Tottenham boss didn't help himself by insisting pre-match that, if given the time, he has proven he will win a trophy in his second season in charge. Unfortunately for 'Big Ange', the most likely piece of silverware Forest would have been chasing in 2026-27 would have been the Championship trophy had he remained in charge.

Quite where Forest go from here is anyone's guess. Evangelos Marinakis sounded out both Sean Dyche and Roberto Mancini to potentially replace Postecoglou, with the former the most likely to take over, but whomever takes over has a real job on their hands to meet the ambitions of the club's owners. Forest again spent big over the summer following their qualification for Europe, but that has only resulted in a bloated squad that would threaten to make Chelsea blush.

On Saturday, £113 million ($152m) worth of recent arrivals – James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson, Dilane Bakwa and Arnaud Kalimuendo – failed to make the bench, while £36.5m ($49m) forward Dan Ndoye was an unused substitute. Factor in that club-record signing Hutchinson wasn't even named to Forest's Europa League squad, and this is clearly a club whose thinking is anything but joined up. If Postecoglou's replacement isn't able to create a sense of unity, relegation could become a serious possibility.

Getty Images SportLOSER: Bundesliga title race

Seven games in, and it seems the notion of there being a title race in this season's Bundesliga is already over. For the past two years, Bayer Leverkusen have challenged Bayern Munich's supremacy in Germany, but the departure of Xabi Alonso and a glut of key players from the BayArena was always likely to lead to Leverkusen falling away (even if the short-lived Ten Hag era accelerated matters!).

Borussia Dortmund looked likely to re-take up the mantle of being Bayern's biggest challengers after going unbeaten through their first six matches, but Saturday's 2-1 win for the defending champions in Der Klassiker means that Vincent Kompany's side already look uncatchable at the top of the table. Harry Kane continued his all-worldly form while Michael Olise netted the winner as Bayern moved five points clear at the top of the table after winning each of their opening seven games.

They are averaging almost four goals a game in that time, and as long as they aren't hit by a ridiculous injury crisis, a 27th Bundesliga title already feels assured before October is even over.

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AFPWINNER: Marseille

While the title race might already be over in Germany, it's rather surprisingly up for grabs in France right now. Paris Saint-Germain's injury issues have led to some underwhelming results to start the season, and they again dropped points on Friday as they fought back from 3-1 down to draw with high-flying Strasbourg.

That result has seen the European champions sacrifice top spot in Ligue 1, with Marseille the beneficiaries. Roberto De Zerbi's side thrashed 10-man Le Havre 6-2, led by four goals from last season's top scorer Mason Greenwood, on their way to being the only team from within the top five at the start of the weekend to record a victory. This was also the fourth time already this season that OM have scored at least four goals in a game, with their high-powered attack proving to be a handful for all defences.

Whether they can sustain this form remains to be seen, with De Zerbi's sides not known for their consistency, and it would be a shock if PSG didn't rattle off a run of wins once they get back to full strength, but they could yet face something of a fight to retain the crown many presumed they would be able to claim without breaking a sweat over the coming months.

Delhi Capitals are still unsure on the availability of first teamers like Starc, du Plessis and Stubbs

Nagraj Gollapudi14-May-20252:26

Jaffer: Fraser-McGurk’s high-risk style difficult to sustain

Australia batter Jake Fraser-McGurk has become the second overseas player after Jamie Overton, Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) English recruit, to confirm his pull-out from IPL 2025, which will resume on May 17. Fraser-McGurk, who was signed by Delhi Capitals (DC) at the mega auction for INR 9 crore (USD 1.07 million approx.) is understood to have informed the franchise that he will not rejoin the squad.The IPL has announced that Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has replaced Fraser-McGurk at DC for INR 6 crore. Mustafizur has previously played for DC in IPL 2022 and IPL 2023, picking up nine wickets across those seasons. However, he will not be eligible for retention by DC for IPL 2026 as per the tweaked replacement rules.The IPL’s original regulations permit teams to sign replacements in the event of illness or injury provided it occurs during or before their 12th match of the season. But the league has taken the call to change those rules, enabling temporary replacements to be signed for the remainder of the rearranged season.The Mustafizur signing, however, has run into complications, with the BCB stating that it hasn’t yet been approached for an NOC. Mustafizur has flown out to Dubai with the Bangladesh squad for the first of two T20I series – the other is in Pakistan – that are due to clash with the rejigged IPL schedule.From being indispensable towards the end of IPL 2024, Fraser-McGurk became dispensable for DC by the halfway mark this season after poor returns with the bat. Fraser-McGurk, 23, opened in DC’s first six matches, but returned single-digit scores in five of them with a highest score of 38 in an overall tally of 55 runs before he was benched.Despite that, the development won’t help DC, who remain in contention for the playoffs, as it is understood they are still waiting for confirmations from several of their first-choice overseas players.That list includes Australia left-arm quick Mitchell Starc and the South African pair of Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs.Stubbs is part of South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship final, which begins on June 11 at Lord’s, and CSA has said that the WTC-bound players will have to abide by the initial NOCs, which run up to May 25 – the original date for the IPL final.

Everton has long been synonymous with the development of English talent, cultivating players through one of the Premier League’s most respected academy systems.

From the legendary emergence of Wayne Rooney to modern stars like Anthony Gordon, the club has consistently provided a pathway for young players to break into the first team and make an impact on both domestic and international stages.

The club’s focus is clear: technical development, tactical intelligence, and professional growth are embedded from academy to senior squad.

Competitive youth fixtures, exposure to domestic cups give emerging players confidence and experience under pressure.

This structured approach ensures that English graduates are not only technically proficient but also resilient and tactically aware – qualities essential in modern football.

Under David Moyes, Everton’s strategy of integrating homegrown talent continues, blending experienced professionals with promising English players.

This season, Jack Grealish has become the symbol of the club’s revival, while another young talent represents the future of English defensive prospects at Goodison Park.

Why Grealish deserves a World Cup place for England

Grealish, 30, has been central to Everton’s resurgence under Moyes.

Arriving from Manchester City, Grealish has gradually regained the form that once made him a household name in England – staking his claim to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans heading into 2026, despite being overlooked recently.

In the 2025/26 season, he has already contributed a goal and four assists in seven Premier League appearances, playing 557 minutes – almost matching his totals from last season when he played only 721 minutes due to injury.

Known for his creativity and ability to dictate the tempo, Grealish ranks in the 6th percentile for progressive carries per 90 (6.27), 4.39 progressive passes per 90, and maintains an 84.1% pass completion rate.

His shot-creating actions per 90 sit at 4.55, while he completes nearly two successful take-ons per game.

These metrics underline his influence in Everton’s attacking transitions, providing both flair and functional output.

His 93rd-minute goal against Crystal Palace to end their 19-match unbeaten run highlighted his ability to perform under pressure, again boosting his claim to be in Tuchel’s next squad, or next summer’s roster at the very least.

Despite past injuries limiting his minutes, Grealish’s resurgence under Moyes shows that he remains a key creative fulcrum, bridging experience and leadership for Everton’s younger English talents.

However, while all eyes focus on Grealish’s headline performances, his role may impact other English players like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who thrive in similar carrying and passing areas but lack the freedom to shoot.

Everton’s system will need to balance flair and structure, ensuring Grealish’s influence does not inadvertently limit opportunities for other homegrown talents.

Why Branthwaite is the next big English talent at Everton

While Grealish is providing immediate returns, Jarrad Branthwaite represents the long-term promise of Everton’s English talent pipeline.

Born in 2002, the 6 foot 5 left-footed centre-back joined Everton from Carlisle United in January 2020 after nine league appearances.

Branthwaite has since made over 75 appearances for the senior side, featuring prominently during loan spells at Blackburn Rovers (ten appearances in 2021) and PSV Eindhoven (27 league games in 2022/23), where he scored twice, featured in European competitions, and won the KNVB Cup.

His leadership qualities and composure on the ball are complemented by defensive steel, ranking in the top 9% for clearances among Premier League defenders per 90.

Matches Played

30

Minutes

2,511

Blocks

31

Tackles

36

Challenges

20

Internationally, Branthwaite has progressed steadily through England’s youth setup, earning eight U21 caps and winning the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship before making his senior debut in June 2024 in a 3–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Despite missing the start of the 2025/26 season due to a hamstring injury, his market value of £42m – as per Transfermarkt – and long-term contract until 2030 underscore Everton’s commitment to securing homegrown English talent.

Branthwaite – described as a “physical beast” by analyst Ben Mattinson – embodies the club’s vision: combining technical skill, tactical awareness, and maturity beyond his years.

As Everton continue to develop a squad capable of competing in the top half of the Premier League, the centre-back is expected to play a pivotal role once fully fit, complementing experienced players like Grealish and ensuring Everton’s tradition of nurturing English talent endures.

Everton’s commitment to developing English talent remains clear, blending the immediate impact of established stars like Grealish with the long-term promise of Branthwaite.

While Grealish’s resurgence provides creativity, energy, and leadership, Branthwaite represents the next generation of homegrown players ready to step into key roles.

Under Moyes, Everton continues to balance development and performance, giving both established and emerging English talents the platform to succeed.

Everton's "revelation" could become the biggest loser from Grealish's rise

Jack Grealish’s form at Everton could nudge another star out of Moyes’ best team

ByWill Miller Oct 16, 2025

The Colorado Rapids have announced that head coach Chris Armas will leave the club after the two sides mutually agreed to part ways. The decision comes after the Rapids narrowly missed the playoffs on the final day of the season. Armas had a 33W-36L-13D record across all competitions during his time with the club.

Getty Images SportThe Armas era

Armas' tenure now concluded after two seasons, with the first proving highly successful. In that first season, he guided the club back to the MLS Cup playoffs as well as a third-place finish in the 2024 Leagues Cup, effectively turning around a club that had been struggling prior to his arrival. 

The Rapids confirmed that discussions over a potential contract extension took place, but both the club and Armas himself agreed to part ways following this season.

“We’re grateful to Chris for the professionalism and passion he brought to the club,” Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith said in a statement. “He helped our group take meaningful steps forward over the past two seasons and leaves behind a strong culture that will serve us well as we begin this next chapter.”   

Off the pitch, Armas was also elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame this year, largely based on his stellar MLS playing career. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDisappointing end to 2025

The Rapids went into the final day of the season with a chance to make the playoffs, but Armas' side ultimately fell short. Tied 1-1 late with Los Angeles FC, the Rapids took the lead in the 87th minute on a goal from Darren Yapi, seemingly booking their postseason ticket. Just three minutes later, though, LAFC equalized, effectively dooming the Rapids' season.

With the defeat, the Rapids finished on 41 points, good for 11th place. They had the same point total as both the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake, but it was Salt Lake that booked the postseason spot on the final day of the MLS season.

In the end, the Rapids missed out despite taking a big swing this summer to sign Paxten Aaronson, who was brought in to join fellow USMNT veterans like Zack Steffen, Reggie Cannon, and Sam Vines on the team. Additionally, the club added former Arsenal defender Rob Holding to the squad, although the centerback featured in just six games down the stretch.

IMGAN'Incredibly proud of the work we’ve done'

Armas issued a statement reflecting on the positives of his tenure: 

“I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done here and the progress the team has made,” said Armas. “I want to thank the Kroenke family, Kevin Demoff, and Pádraig [Smith], along with the players, staff, and the Rapids community, for their trust and support. This is a special club with passionate fans, and I’ll always be grateful for my time in Colorado.”

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ImagnCoaching search begins

The club says the process of identifying a new head coach has already begun, while conversations about the coaching staff as a whole are ongoing. Smith is set to meet with the media on Thursday to reflect on the season and discuss the club's offseason plans.

We all know the adage about having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other and the battle between them to influence our actions. Kagiso Rabada had a version of that going on in his mind throughout the World Test Championship final and he leaned into the positive one.”There are normally two voices in your head, the one that doubts and the one that believes. The second is the one that we keep feeding, especially in big moments like this, the World Test Championship final,” Rabada told reporters at Lord’s. “That’s why you saw the performances you saw. It’s a testament to our team this season.”In a tense Test that lasted 10 sessions, the advantage was seized early by South Africa when they bowled Australia out for 212 but then squandered it as they tumbled to 138 all out. Limiting Australia in the second innings was crucial to giving South Africa a chance. They had Australia on 73 for 7 at one stage and South Africa could have been chasing no more than 200. That ballooned to 282 but on a flattening pitch Conrad felt it was gettable and credited his bowlers, and Rabada in particular, for setting up their victory.Related

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“Where did we turn it around? Obviously, that bowling performance, because we could easily have fallen asleep in the field and then they would have gotten away from us in a big way,” Conrad said. “As for KG – that’s why he’s the superstar. He knew we had one chance at it.”Rabada refused to see himself in that light. “I don’t see myself as a star,” he said, despite the statistics which suggest otherwise. He is fourth on South Africa’s all-time wicket-taker’s list and has the best strike rate in the game for anyone with more than 200 wickets.”I see myself as someone who’s willing to give my blood for this team and continue working hard and improving. That’s me as a cricketer, always wanting to improve and playing for the badge with a lot of pride. I’ve been working extremely hard, and those second-innings spells, those are the ones that count more, when you’re a bit tired. You could be behind the game, or you could be ahead of the game. This time, we’re behind the game. But I think it was just about staying calm and looking at what’s in front of us. That’s the way I see myself.”He has previously described being part of this team as just playing with a bunch of mates which makes sense considering the make-up of this crop. Three of the XI – Rabada, Wiaan Mulder and Ryan Rickelton – are all from the same school in Johannesburg and two others – Kyle Verreynne and David Bedingham – are from the same institution in Cape Town. Rabada and Temba Bavuma have been domestic team-mates since Rabada’s career began and Rabada and Aiden Markram were in the same, trophy-winning, under-19 side that won the age-group World Cup in 2014. Lungi Ngidi was due to be part of that under-19 side too but an injury kept him out of the tournament.And Ngidi deserves a separate mention. While Rabada took the first three wickets in Australia’s second innings, Ngidi’s scythed through the middle-order in a nine-over spell that brought three wickets and erased the memories of his first-innings performance. It also repaid the faith Conrad had when he picked Ngidi for “bounce, seam and swing movement,” Conrad said. “And he delivered.”Kagiso Rabada – “I’ll never forget this in my life. None of the boys will forget this in their lives”•Associated Press

After Ngidi’s poor first day, Rabada refused to be drawn into where Ngidi needed to improve and instead suggested a steak, a milkshake and a movie to make him feel better. What did Ngidi do? “He had a milkshake, he had a steak, he watched a movie and he came back,” Rabada joked, smiling towards Ngidi, who he clearly sees as an equal.That goes for the group as a whole. This is a team who have grown up together and in the public eye. Their learnings as a young squad finding their feet have happened on the biggest stage, sometimes painfully, which has made their recent run of success all the more striking. South Africa are on an eight-Test winning streak, and with two to come in Zimbabwe (sorry, neighbours) that should extend to 10 – their longest ever. They have won their first trophy with the word “world” in it. There is a sense that, even as league dollars call, they have a core of players who will put the country first. Rabada leads that list and in many ways this team.”I’ll never forget this in my life. None of the boys will forget this in their lives. Playing against Australia, they’re a well-accustomed team, a bit of an ageing team, with all due respect. Some of those guys were playing when we were still in high school,” he said. “So this is special, special, special. It hasn’t sunk in yet. I can’t really describe.”That’s how a lot of South Africans feel.

Newcastle United’s season is up and running and now there is cause to put the stress of the summer transfer window to bed and look only ahead at what Eddie Howe and his squad can achieve this year.

The summer signings, after all, have bedded in nicely, and that’s without even considering Yoane Wissa, who joined from Brentford for £55m this summer and has yet to train or play for the Magpies as he recovers from a knee injury. November is the time slated for the striker’s return.

Newcastle’s squad is populated with varying talents, some more prominent than others. All are together, though, and they play their roles with a consummate ease that many Premier League rivals fail to establish.

But the rise of St. James’ Park over the past four years has seen some truly elite players take the leading positions in Howe’s set-up.

Newcastle's star players

Alexander Isak left Newcastle and signed for Liverpool for a British record fee of £125m on deadline day. A bitter transfer saga, but Newcastle have adapted and have shown signs in recent matches of a return to their full attacking capacity.

Wissa is joined by club-record £69m signing Nick Woltemade in leading the line, and between them, the Toon surely have enough firepower to concern their rivals in the fight for a Champions League finish and a battle for more silverware after getting a taste last year.

Now that Isak has left, it is time for the 24-year-old Anthony Gordon to step up and lead the frontline. The left-sided forward is physical and dynamic, but he has lacked fluency over the past year, having been awarded Newcastle’s Player of the Year for 2023/24 after scoring 12 goals and supplying 11 assists in all competitions.

Newcastle might want to keep onto that one. We all know his talent, with the likes of Liverpool actually sniffing around in the past for the £100m-valued Englishman.

And Gordon’s not the only one. Club captain Bruno Guimaraes would also fetch a pretty penny if sold in the near future, himself priced at £100m earlier in the year, when Manchester City registered their interest.

But there’s actually another Toon star who could be the outfit’s next £100m star. Indeed, Sandro Tonali’s meteoric rise has been a remarkable thing.

The rise of Sandro Tonali at Newcastle

One year into Tonali’s time at Newcastle, things weren’t exactly looking peachy. Eight Premier League appearances were all he made in 2023/24 before being charged in October 2023 for betting offences in Italy. He was suspended from professional football for ten months.

Having arrived from AC Milan for a £55m fee only months before, the 23-year-old was in purgatory, but he rebounded with vim and vigour last season and grew considerably in quality and squad stature when Howe placed him in the deep-sat midfield role, opening up possibilities for the multi-faceted Guimaraes and striking a new level of balance.

Five years ago, Italian journalist Carlo Garganese remarked that Tonali possessed the faculties to become a “world-class” player. Now this praise rings true across Premier League and European pitches. Now Tonali is proving he is as good as anyone in the middle of the park.

Tonali plays in a subtle way. There’s an old adage in football that the best midfielders can play through a game unobserved, but if scrutinised, you would see that everything flows through them.

Sandro Tonali in the Premier League

Stats (* per game)

24/25

25/26

Matches (starts)

36 (28)

7 (7)

Goals

4

0

Assists

2

1

Touches*

53.4

67.9

Accurate passes*

34.9 (86%)

43.4 (85%)

Chances created*

0.8

1.7

Dribbles (success)*

0.6 (59%)

0.7 (60%)

Ball recoveries*

4.9

3.9

Tackles + interceptions*

2.3

2.6

Ground duels (won)*

3.3 (55%)

3.4 (60%)

Stats via Sofascore

This is true in the case of the Italian, now 25 years old. And he is earning attention. Pundit Paul Scholes remarked earlier this week that he’s “better than Declan Rice” – and that’s quite a claim.

Given that Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham United for £105m in 2023, there’s no reason why PIF couldn’t justify a similar ballpark for Tonali, if and when he is sold. With this in mind, he might even eclipse the valuations of peers like Gordon and Guimaraes.

Tyneside correspondent Mark Carruthers said only last month, “He’s the best midfielder I’ve seen in 38 years of watching Newcastle.”

Apologies, Bruno, but this might actually be true. If Guimaraes is a £100m player, then what does that make the Italian maestro?

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The amount of talent Manchester United have produced from their academy over the years has been astronomical. Of course, you can go as far back as the days of the Busby Babes, the start of the Premier League era, where the Class of ‘92 burst onto the scene, or more recently, when Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford flew the flag for the academy.

Nowadays, Kobbie Mainoo is the only academy graduate to have truly established himself in the first team. That, in many ways, is a sad reflection of the current state of the club, which once prided itself on homegrown stars.

Yet, a few academy players are on the fringes of the first-team squad, with one of the most prominent ones being Chido Obi.

Chido Obi’s Man United career so far

When the Red Devils secured the signing of Obi last summer following his departure from Arsenal, it was a move that piqued the interest of many. The 17-year-old joined United with a huge reputation in academy football.

His record at youth level is phenomenal. For United’s under-18s, he has 12 goals in 10 games, and for the under-21s, five goals in eight. During his time at Arsenal, the Denmark youth international bagged 32 goals in just 21 matches for the Gunners’ under-18s side.

With that record in mind, it was probably not a surprise that Obi made his first-team debut for United last season. Although he’s yet to play this season, the 17-year-old has already notched up eight appearances. He also scored twice for the first-team on their post-season tour at the end of 2024/25.

One man who knows a thing or two about being a top-level striker is Alan Shearer. The Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer was impressed with the youngster after his FA Cup efforts against Fulham last season. Shearer said, “I like what I see from Obi”, and described him as a “handful” for defenders.

Obi is certainly an exciting talent and another graduate of United’s academy. However, he is not the only top attacker coming through the ranks at Carrington.

Man Utd may have their next Wayne Rooney

Although under Ruben Amorim, the number of academy graduates involved in the first team has greatly decreased, there is still a pathway available. Obi’s rise through the ranks has certainly proved that.

Well, perhaps next on that path could be 17-year-old forward Amir Ibragimov. The versatile attacker can operate in midfield as a number eight, a number 10, and play on both flanks. He’s certainly left a big impression after his performances for the academy.

Ibragimov has an impressive record of 11 goals and nine assists in 33 games in the under-18s Premier League. The 2024/25 season was his first full campaign in the competition, and he chalked up 14 goals and assists in 22 games.

2022/23

5

1

2023/24

2

1

2024/25

22

14

2025/26

4

4

One of the biggest compliments paid to Ibragimov came from Mail journalists Nathan Salt and Isaan Khan. They compared the United youngster to one of their all-time greats, Wayne Rooney, due to “his vision and his ability to pick a pass in attack”, which is high praise indeed.

Of course, replicating what Rooney did in that famous Red shirt will not be easy. Yet, the 17-year-old has “dangerous” attacking ability, according to Antonio Mango, and can make a real impact in the final third, as his numbers show.

There could be a long way to go before we might see Ibragimov show similarities to Rooney in the first-team. But the way he has performed for the Red Devils’ academy certainly bodes well for the future.

Perhaps he can soon follow in Obi’s path and break into the senior side. If he is half as successful as Rooney was for United, Ibragimov will have had an impressive career.

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