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Move over Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter, there's a new NFL insider in town and his name is Vinnie Pasquantino.

That's right, Pasquantino, the Kansas City Royals first baseman, apparently moonlights as an NFL reporter, as he seemingly predicted that free agent quarterback Justin Fields would come to an agreement on contract terms with the New York Jets hours before the likes of Rapoport and Schefter reported the news on Monday.

At 12:22 p.m. ET, Pasquantino took to his account on X and posted the following prediction.

"Justin Fields to the Jets," Pasquantino wrote. "Sources: me??? 2 years 35 million??? Ok going to the cages to start my day."

Hours later at 2:39 p.m. ET, Rapoport of NFL Network was the first of the NFL insiders to report Fields's agreement with New York, which was reportedly a two-year contract worth $40 million, eerily similar to Pasquantino's forecast.

It begs the question(s). Does Pasquantino have sources? Who does he know? Is he friends with someone on the Jets?

Hopefully, the Royals first baseman doesn't spill the beans on how he was so startlingly accurate with his Fields prediction. It's far more fun to imagine Pasquantino working the phones for NFL scoops in between hacks at the batting cages this spring.

Napoli are training without Antonio Conte this week after the Italian coach took agreed leave in the aftermath of Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Bologna, a result that deepened concerns around the Serie A champions’ fading form. With pressure intensifying after five losses this season and whispers of resignation spreading online, the break arrives at a complicated moment for a team struggling for goals, rhythm and identity.

• Conte’s absence highlights Napoli’s mounting concerns

  Napoli returned to training after their damaging 2-0 defeat to Bologna, but without Conte on the pitch. As previously agreed with the club hierarchy, the coach has taken several days off, spending time with family in Turin before returning to Castel Volturno on November 17. Assistant Cristian Stellini is leading the sessions, with half the squad away on international duty, according to . The situation is not unusual for the Italian, who has taken similar mid-season breaks in the past, but the unusual length of this one and the timing of it has intensified the spotlight. 

  Gli Azzurri have now suffered five defeats across all competitions and sit fourth in Serie A, already two points behind Inter and Roma and just one point ahead of Bologna. Their form has collapsed sharply: No goals scored in their last three games, two defeats in their last five league outings, and increasing tactical confusion. Inside the club, the mood has reportedly fluctuated between frustration, fatigue and tense reflection with Conte’s recent outburst in Bologna adding fuel to rumours about a potential parting of ways. This week’s training session, conducted without the head coach or most of the internationals, underlines the fragility of the moment and sets the stage for Conte’s own words on where the club must go next.

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  Conte demands accountability after Bologna defeat

  Speaking after Sunday’s loss, Conte took full responsibility for the team’s dip and delivered some of his strongest comments of the season: “Everyone has to take responsibility. I'm the first to be held accountable. Heart transplants aren't an option. Each of us needs to rediscover our spirit and our grit. I'm disappointed because I'm not finding the energy in the guys again; it means I'm not doing a good job.”

  He also reminded the club of the historical warning signs from 2023-24 season, when Napoli finished 10th, just a year after winning the Scudetto: “We must never forget that in Naples, after a Scudetto, we finished 10th. I'm sorry to have to dig up the bones of the past. I'll talk to the club, who already knew what I thought.”

  Conte’s tone made it clear that discussions over direction, standards and responsibility are on the horizon even if no immediate meeting with Aurelio De Laurentiis is scheduled.

• De Laurentiis shuts down resignation rumours

  In the midst of speculation surrounding the 56-year-old's future, president De Laurentiis moved quickly to silence talk of a resignation. His statement delivered a firm defence of the coach and rebuttal of online reports.

  “I came across the fairy tale of Conte's resignation on the web. I love social media a lot because they're a contemporary and fast way to spread thoughts. But you know that thoughts aren't always right or shareable.

  "Between me and Conte there has always existed a special harmony that unites men who use the 3 "C"s [Character, Competence, and Courage]… which are very popular with Neapolitans and not only.

  "To the fans who've read some nonsense, I say: I'm proud to have by my side, and by the side of Napoli and the players, a real man like Antonio Conte, capable of sacrificing every second of his life for his profession, with extreme generosity and dedication.

  "This is the most important guarantee that can be given today to a club, to the players, and to demanding fans like those of Napoli."

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  Conte returns next week as Napoli brace for Atalanta test

  Conte is expected back on the training ground on November 17. By then, the squad will also begin returning from international duty and immediately face a major test.

  Napoli’s next match is a crucial Serie A showdown with Atalanta, a side capable of exposing any defensive or mental fragilities. After three matches without scoring, and with Bologna breathing down their necks, the champions must demonstrate fresh intensity, structure and unity. All eyes will be on Conte’s return and whether a week away provides clarity, renewed energy or deeper complications for a Napoli side teetering between recovery and crisis.

Newcastle United have not been afraid to splash the cash since PIF took over the club just over four years ago. T

hey have well and truly backed Eddie Howe, smashing the club transfer record twice by signing Alexander Isak and his replacement this summer, Nick Woltemade.

The Magpies have added depth in other areas of the pitch too. Out wide, Anthony Gordon and his namesake Anthony Elanga were two notable reinforcements who cost £45m and £55m respectively. At the back, they have signed the likes of Sven Botman and Tino Livramento, building a strong defence for the present and future.

However, it is in midfield where the signings have really felt substantial, with Bruno Guimaraes one of the notable names.

The numbers behind Bruno Guimaraes impact at Newcastle

At 27 years of age, Guimaraes is entering his peak years. The Brazilian joined the Magpies back in January 2022 from Lyon for a fee of £35m. He’s since gone on to rack up 167 appearances for the North East side.

This season, the 39-cap Brazil star has shone in the middle of the park. He has three goals and three assists in 13 games, which included one of each against Nottingham Forest in a 2-0 Premier League win.

In terms of his quality on the ball, one of Guimaraes’ standout traits is his carrying ability. He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League when it comes to progressing the ball from the middle third to the final third, averaging 0.5 carries into the penalty box per game during 2025/26. That places him in the top 8% of top-flight midfielders.

However, it is not just the quality on the ball Guimaraes brings. He is an excellent leader, having captained the Magpies 12 times out of the 13 games he’s played. That in itself highlights what he brings to Howe’s squad.

As good as Guimaraes is, there is a case to be made that Newcastle have a better midfielder.

Newcastle's best signing of the PIF era

Howe is certainly not short of options in the middle of the park. The Englishman has Guimaraes as one of his first-choice midfielders, but can also pick from Joelinton, summer signing Jacob Ramsey and homegrown star Lewis Miley.

However, the best of the bunch must surely be Sandro Tonali. The Italian has been at Newcastle since the summer of 2023 and has amassed 69 appearances in that famous Black and White striped shirt so far.

Since his return at the start of last season, he has been sensational. The former AC Milan midfielder has become a key man in the centre of the park for Howe, forming a quite brilliant midfield pivot with Guimaraes.

He has certainly become one of the best players in the current Magpies side. In fact, Taylor Payne, host of Newcastle fan podcast On The Tyne, said he is “the best midfield player to ever pull on a black and white shirt.”

It is easy to see why Payne and every other Newcastle fan rate him so highly. The 29-cap Azzurri star is brilliant both in and out of possession. He is a pressing monster, as shown by this clip from last season.

On top of that, he has some standout numbers. This season, has created 1.8 chances per game, showing his impact in the final third. Last term, he averaged 6.1 ball recoveries per 90 minutes.

Tonali, who earns £120k per week at St James’ Park, has been a revelation in midfield for the Magpies. He is a man whom Howe can trust on and off the ball, and is surely one of the most complete midfielders around.

It is easy to see how he has become the best signing since the PIF takeover four years ago. Tonali is certainly a brilliant operator in the middle of the park.

Saved by Woltemade: Newcastle star is looking like 2023 Gordon under Howe

This Newcastle recruit has not hit the ground running in Eddie Howe’s team.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 30, 2025

ESPN's Karl Ravech had a taxing and unusual start to his work week.

He was part of the network's coverage of a bizarre Monday doubleheader between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves where both teams needed a single win to advance to the postseason. A long, strange day ended with a split and Ravech on his second flight day as he traveled to San Diego, where he is working the Padres' Wild Card series against those Mets.

Ravech talked to about announcing three high-leverage games over the span of 30-some hours on opposite ends of the country.

Sports Illustrated: How are you feeling? Are you tired?

Karl Ravech: I'm trying to think of what day we started this whole journey. Buster [Olney] and I happened to board a plane Monday morning at 6 a.m. so that means a 3:50 a.m. wakeup call, then I drive an hour to the airport. He and I get on that plane to Atlanta. We have rooms at the airport hotel. So you basically go to your room, you shower and then you get in the car to go to do the two ballgames which, you know, were incredibly unique. We knew going in it was going to be a weird day. You just knew it was going to be odd.

To have Game 1 turn out the way that it did, you talk about the air out of a balloon. Game 2 felt like nobody wanted to be there, even the Braves, who had to win the game. So you go through that and then you move to the airport and you get on a 10:30 p.m. flight to San Diego because the decision was made regardless of the outcome you're going to the Padres and the Braves or the Padres and the Mets. That's how it was going to play out. We end up San Diego and get into the room at midnight, which is 3 a.m. ET, which means you've been awake for 24 hours. Then you go to bed for a little bit and you wake up on the West Coast, which means you're getting up at a ridiculous early hour because your body's on the East Coast. Then you go and do a Wild Card game. I've never experienced anything like it.

I will say that I am not physically tired. I think most of these types of things take it out of you mentally more than physically. But when you're involved in atmospheres like this with such a unique seat, there's no time to be tired, there's no time to think about what you've just done. You're along for the ride. You cannot take this stuff for granted because it's not going to be there forever. I love every minute of it and I think having done it for so long, to be honest, I like when there are unique challenges. This was one of those. And to navigate it well makes you feel really good.

Sports Illustrated: The way the Padres started that game last night, with Michael King looking electric and Fernando Tatis Jr. hitting an early home run, there was a ton of energy. Did that help at all?

Karl Ravech: That was a cup of coffee, that was a shot of adrenaline. I think what makes San Diego unique is that there's very much a party-type feel to the ballpark. San Diego has basically had that since Peter Seidler decided to invest all of his money, may he rest in peace. He turned it into the place to be and the Padres being the only game in town have played well and attracted the masses. When they go to the ballpark, this is a participatory event, it's not sit on your hands. They are into every second.

And now you introduce a team that has a chance to go deep in October if not win a World Series. So that shot that Tatis hit may have been like a boost but the whole day you knew what it was going to be like when you got there and it lived up to it. The ballpark certainly carries you because it is unique. The relationship between the fans, the team, and city is unique. The homer and King's performance accelerated it a bit but it was there. I didn't have any doubt that we'd be able to get up. And I'll be honest, the first three games of the day helped provide that. There were three really good games. Going in you're feeling really good about the way the day is going from an ESPN and network perspective.

Sports Illustrated: Do you worry at all about the logistics of it all when you're in a situation with all of that travel? I'm the type of person who needs to get to the airport super early and any type of delay really gets me concerned.

Karl Ravech: We actually had that conversation on the air at one point. I think any time a situation like that presents itself, flying the day of a game is always a risky proposition. We certainly don't do that as a practice, we rarely if ever do that for baseball. But in this case where you weren't sure you were going to San Diego and who they were playing, I opted to not spend a night in Atlanta if those games weren't going to be played, so yeah, absolutely. I went to bed around 9 p.m. on Sunday night knowing we had to get up at 3:50 a.m. for that ride to the airport. And for about four hours you have a real peaceful sleep. Even though there were flights at 6, 7, and 8 so you have the backup plan in the back of your mind. . Around 1a.m. is when you wake up and you can feel your brain going when you don't want it to. Your brain is telling you what happens if a pilot is sick, what happens if the airplane has a mechanical issue.

Sports Illustrated: I am looking right now at the graphic ESPN put out with all the coverage teams. It's an impressive group with you, Michael Kay, Jon Sciambi and Sean McDonough calling games and a lot of great analysts. Is this the biggest showcase for the broadcasting teams the network has?

Karl Ravech: When you're talking about Sciambi or McDonough, you're talking about guys that I have grown up with in the business who I'm very friendly with, who I have a tremendous amount of respect for. I think as a company with being really the only game we do once a week, when you have the opportunity to do four and you're able to parade out guys who I think are Hall of Fame-type broadcasters and to be one of them and to be on the marquee game is enormously gratifying, flattering, humbling, all of those things. In listening to all of them I think they're all fantastic.

It's a challenge and I think Sciambi referred to it the other day. It's very well-known that Major League Baseball is a sport in which the local broadcasters, 140-150 times a year depending on the team, are listened to by the fans and are the same voices. It's such a unique, comfortable, intimate relationship. I've always known this. You want to hear the familiar voices. You want to know that they know exactly what happened last month, last week, and yesterday.

When the national guys come in, the feeling is that they're not as invested, they don't know the players, they just sort of parachute in and parachute out. All I can say is we're not day to day with those teams. Certainly Sciambi with what he does with the Cubs, Sean with the Red Sox, and all of our broadcasters. It's not like we don't follow the teams and the games. We do. And we speak to so many people involved. When we get there in the early hours of gameday, you're talking to players, you have relationships. We also have a tremendous amount of respect for the local broadcasters.

Sports Illustrated: Was wondering if we could go back and you could speak about the support staff you have that allowed pulling something like this off even possible?

Karl Ravech: What I've benefitted from in my years at ESPN, having sat in studios and certainly doing for so many years with over 60 different analysts is that you learn that the only way you are going to be good—and I mean not individually but collectively—is to trust the people around you and make them better. While I'm sitting there trying to get the best, in this case, out of Eduardo and David Cone and Buster, there are … I'd love to name them all but I'd leave out some of them. But all you have to do is look at the email chain that we have and how many people behind the scenes make this go.

The baseball group at ESPN is a family and I know you could ask anybody about how important the relationships are between the people in front of the camera, the people in the control room, the camera people, the audio people, the people who support us in every which way from graphics to hotel rooms. Everybody has each other's best interests at heart. Not only is it on the television side—as we discussed earlier, how are we going to get from Point A to Point B. All of that stuff has to be taken care of. I love the people that I work with.

The Philadelphia Phillies fell short of expectations after bowing out of the 2024 MLB postseason in a stunning defeat to the New York Mets in the NLDS. ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that the early playoff exit could result in a roster shakeup for the Phils.

In his MLB offseason preview, Passan noted that Philadelphia has placed All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm on the trade block as they look to make some adjustments ahead of the 2025 season.

Bohm, who made his first All-Star Game in 2024, struggled in the second half of the season and even more so in the postseason. During the first half of the year, he logged a .830 OPS with 11 home runs and 70 RBI in 94 games. In the second half, his OPS dwindled down to .681 and he hit just four homers in 49 games. In the playoffs, Bohm recorded just one hit in 13 at-bats, though he didn't strike out a single time.

The Phillies figure to be back in World Series contention in 2025, but they may feel that an upgrade from Bohm will give them a better chance at achieving their goals. Various teams figure to have interest in the 28-year-old, who has two more years of arbitration left before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2027. Spotrac estimates he'll earn around $8.1 million next season.

Bohm has spent his entire MLB career with the Phillies, having appeared in 599 games for the franchise since debuting in 2020.

Daniel Farke must wonder how he never won promotion with the Leeds United team he inherited heading into the 2023/24 season as the West Yorkshire outfit’s new manager.

Thankfully, the EFL promotion expert did guide Leeds back up to the Premier League at the second time of asking, with a Championship title even being secured along the way, but his previous side disastrously slipped up in the playoff final, even with the likes of both Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray starring week in week out.

Crysencio Summerville, despite his unbelievable display, was another unfortunate member of that team, leaving for West Ham United after the season’s conclusion.

The attacker is still held in high esteem at Elland Road, despite his celebrated stay at the club ultimately ending in disappointment.

What made Summerville so magic

Summerville eventually got a chance to shine again in the top-flight with the Hammers, having initially burst onto the scene as a promising talent in the tough division when Leeds routinely battled against the drop.

An encouraging four goals and three assists came the tricky winger’s way across 28 Premier League outings during the 2022/23 season, with the Rotterdam-born attacker certainly sticking out as a bright spark in an otherwise depressing period for the Whites, as relegation was confirmed.

He was only getting started when looking back, however, with the former Whites number 10 striking fear into Championship defences all season long during the following campaign.

Summerville had the goals and assists to back up his immense footwork and trickery on the left channel, with 20 goals and 19 assists in regular action crowning him as the second tier’s Player of the Season.

Journalist Jake Winderman would even go all out to declare the 5-foot-9 ace as “world-class” for those sublime heroics, while Farke himself stated that the “sky is the limit” for what his star asset could go on to achieve.

Summerville has since shown flashes of his excellence with West Ham, despite injury issues threatening to stop him in his tracks.

After an injury-disrupted 2024/25 season saw just 19 Premier League appearances fall into his lap, the 23-year-old is now up to a quickfire two assists for this campaign, from just five clashes.

While the former fan favourite at Leeds underwent a testing first term away from West Yorkshire, Farke was scrambling for his new Summerville-like star to latch onto, with Manor Solomon stepping into the role effortlessly as another unpredictable talent on the left wing.

Now out on loan with Villarreal, away from parent side Tottenham Hotspur, Solomon was once viewed as a fitting replacement for the immense magic served up by Summerville and Rutter, with a devastating ten goals and 13 assists notched up last campaign by the diminutive 26-year-old helping Leeds to achieve a promotion feat not even their revered Dutchman could clinch.

Solomon would even score Leeds’ title-clinching goal when bursting forward with his usual Elland Road exuberance versus Plymouth Argyle on the final day, with the former Shakhtar Donetsk attacker also receiving similar glowing praise to that of Summerville, lauded as “unplayable” by former Whites boss Neil Redfearn.

The hope was surely to tie down the entertaining forward to a long-term deal past his loan stint, but nothing would come to fruition despite speculative talk suggesting Solomon was up for a reunion, as Leeds looked at other top-flight-ready recruits instead.

So, with Solomon now gone, who has become Leeds’ new Summerville?

Leeds' new Summerville-type figure at Elland Road

Leeds could well have been hesitant to dive in and secure Solomon permanently based on his sketchy track record in the Premier League.

The new Villarreal man is, unfortunately, more known for being ravaged with injuries at that level than being a rip-roaring success, with just four goals and two assists picked up, missing 61 games through injury for both Spurs and Fulham.

Staggeringly, he has already been absent from five games this season through more injury-related difficulties, as Leeds sense they have dodged a bullet somewhat.

In stark contrast, new signing Noah Okafor has been there and done that in some challenging top-flight environments, with a 25-goal haul for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga even seeing scout Jacek Kulig refer to the Swiss international as “prolific” force.

On top of that, he was also previously on the roster of AC Milan for 57 matches, culminating in seven goals being put away with confidence.

Therefore, the powers that be at Leeds would have felt assured that dropping £18m on his services this summer was money well spent, and they have already been vindicated, with two strikes picked up in the Premier League by the direct number 19.

While his calmness in front of goal stands him in good stead to be a Summerville-type figure for Farke’s men moving forward, it’s his ardent manner to always bomb forward and try and create an opening out of nothing that also makes the similarity stick, with Summerville finding that he was constantly fouled in the Championship for also being a brash attacking presence.

Okafor has come into his own in this regard across Leeds’ last three matches in the league, with the pacey 25-year-old managing an absurd six successful dribbles against Wolverhampton Wanderers, despite only accumulating 40 touches.

Yet, much like in Summerville’s case, it isn’t showboating for showboating’s sake, with two goals picked up across his last three Premier League outings making him a firm starting figure for Farke, which is only reinforced by him amassing three key passes in his attempts to assist teammates around him.

Dubbed as an “explosive” presence by scout Antonio Mango when first securing a move to England, it now appears as if Okafor was the Summerville-like ace Leeds had been crying out for all along.

After all, even an opposition defender for Coventry City in Milan van Ewijk had to hold his hands up at Summerville being an “exceptionally good” dribbler when the Sky Blues clashed with Farke’s men in the second tier.

Okafor will hope, in time, that he’s also remembered as a feared force for defenders to wrestle with, with the early signs of his Leeds career pointing in the direction that he will be a fan favourite for many years to come, particularly if he can be one driving factor behind the Whites becoming top-flight regulars again.

Radrizzani reveals Leeds could've replaced Marsch with two "world-class" managers

The former Leeds owner has revealed that he has a number of regrets about his time at Elland Road.

By
Dominic Lund

Oct 14, 2025

Marseille’s Champions League campaign has unravelled under Roberto De Zerbi, with just one win in four games and mounting criticism over his tactics and squad choices. After a frustrating 1-0 home loss to Atalanta, former France international Jerome Rothen blasted the Italian coach’s approach, saying he “can’t find the ingredients” to make Marseille click – while labelling everyone but Mason Greenwood and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli “useless.”

• Atalanta exposed Marseille’s flaws

  The mood in the stands turned bitter as Marseille fell 1-0 to Atalanta via a last-minute goal at the Velodrome on Wednesday. A penalty appeal that went unanswered only deepened the frustration, but the result laid bare deeper issues within De Zerbi’s side. Marseille’s fourth Champions League game of the season left them with a record of one win and three defeats, sparking fierce criticism from former Paris Saint-Germain player and France international, Rothen, who didn’t hold back as he called De Zerbi’s European campaign “ridiculous”.

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  Rothen’s rage gets a fiery response from Marseille

  Rothen blasted Marseille and coach De Zerbi after their disastrous run in their European campaign. The French pundit said on : "OM's results are ridiculous, that's the reality. They're struggling and in a group of teams that are currently eliminated and look more like Europa League teams than Champions League teams . Let's call a spade a spade. When you look at De Zerbi's record, it's 10 Champions League matches and one win. That sums it up. Tactically, he doesn't have the tools, he can't find the ingredients and the skills to push OM to be better. He was outmaneuvered by Juric, the Atalanta coach. There was a casting error."

  He further added: "Who recruited and built this team? When you see OM's resources, which are not Atalanta's resources, and you see such a difference in performance and technical execution. In yesterday's match, apart from Greenwood and Rulli, the rest is useless. The players who were there yesterday, who have special statuses and who are highlighted like [Pierre-Emile] Hojbjerg. They highlight that he is an experienced player, but he is an average player! You look at his big matches in the Champions League and you will see that he is nothing."

  Rothen’s outburst didn’t go unnoticed. His remarks about Marseille's “Europa League-level” football and De Zerbi’s poor Champions League record drew a sharp response from inside the club. Ali Zarrak, assistant of Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia, took to social media to hit back at Rothen, posting screenshots of private conversations between the two.

  “It’s ugly to bite the hand that feeds you,” Zarrak wrote. “Last year, when you were asking for VIP lounge seats for every game, OM wasn’t a pushover. Things were going well then.”

  The exchange quickly went viral, adding fuel to a situation already tense after Marseille’s recent struggles.

• De Zerbi’s stuttering European experiment

  De Zerbi’s Champions League campaign tells a story of contrast, from the brilliance of a 4-0 win over Ajax to the disarray of defeats against Real Madrid, Sporting CP and Atalanta.

  In Madrid, Marseille were overwhelmed despite early promise; against Sporting, they lost control and organisation; and versus Atalanta, they lacked creativity and edge. Injuries and fatigue have taken a toll, but critics argue De Zerbi’s unwillingness to adjust his high-pressing, possession-heavy approach has been his undoing.

  He continues to trust experienced names like Hojbjerg and Matteo Guendouzi, yet performances remain uneven. Marseille’s midfield struggles to link defence and attack, and their pressing often collapses under well-drilled opponents. Rothen’s accusation of a “casting error” in recruitment stings but the imbalance between De Zerbi’s vision and Marseille’s reality is becoming impossible to ignore.

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  Greenwood’s spark amid the chaos

  Amid the criticism, one player continues to shine – Greenwood. The English forward, now in his second season at Marseille, has been the club’s one consistent bright spot. With seven goals in 10 league games and decisive contributions in Europe, Greenwood embodies the efficiency and hunger lacking elsewhere in the squad.

  His four-goal performance against Le Havre earlier this season drew comparisons to club legend Jean-Pierre Papin, and even in the Atalanta defeat, his energy stood out. As Rothen noted, Greenwood and goalkeeper Rulli are among the few who have “earned their place.”

  De Zerbi’s challenge now is to channel Greenwood’s form and rediscover Marseille’s rhythm before the season unravels completely. With Champions League qualification slipping away and internal tensions mounting, the Italian coach must prove he still has the tactical spark – or risk losing a project that once promised revival but now flirts with collapse. Marseille currently stand 25th in the Champions League table and are set to face Newcastle United next in the European competition on November 25.  

Achraf Hakimi had to be helped off the pitch and looked to be in tears after being on the receiving end of a reckless challenge by Luis Diaz during Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday. The winger saw red for his challenge, while Hakimi is now facing an anxious wait to determine the severity of the injury. It's a huge blow for PSG and Hakimi, particularly with the Africa Cup of Nations now only weeks away.

• Diaz sent off for brutal challenge on Hakimi

  Diaz had put Bayern 2-0 up in the game at Parc des Princes but went from hero to zero when he lunged in on Hakimi just before half-time. The forward was originally shown a yellow by the match referee card but the decision was upgraded to a red after a VAR check. As for Hakimi, he was clearly in pain on the turf and had to be helped off the pitch. The Morocco star also appeared to be in tears and the fear is that he has sustained a serious injury that will keep him out of action for some time.

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• Morocco captain Hakimi to miss AFCON?

  Hakimi is not just a crucial player for PSG, he is also vital for the Morocco national team and captains the side. The 2025 AFCON tournament is due to start in December in Morocco, and the concern will be that Hakimi will not just miss game time for PSG, but he will also be ruled out of the tournament. Hakimi has spoken previously about how determined he is to lift the trophy on home turf. He told reporters earlier this year: "The tournament is approaching fast, and it remains our top priority. We have a big responsibility to win it in front of our fans. We know the expectations are high, but we’re ready to give everything for our country."

• AFP
  

  Hakimi spotted on crutches

  PSG must now wait to see how serious the injury to Hakimi is, although the defender was spotted leaving the stadium on crutches and wearing a protective boot after the game. Captain Marquinhos was quizzed on the situation afterwards and said only: "We have to wait for the tests, they've done some minor tests. They'll give you more information later."

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• Luis Enrique reacts to PSG defeat

  Luis Enrique spoke about his team's defeat after the game. He told : "At 11 against 11, Bayern were stronger, without a doubt. We gave the opposition some very nice gifts in the first half. We could have conceded more. In the second half, it was different because we had an extra player. Consequences? I can't talk about the future. We know our schedule is the worst. The next few will be difficult."

  Hakimi wasn't the only PSG player to suffer injury against Bayern. Talisman Ousmane Dembele also went off in the first half, and Luis Enrique offered a brief update on his condition: "I don't know. I think it has nothing to do with the previous injury. It's something new. We need to be very careful, we're looking to improve the players' condition."

After a dramatic victory on Saturday night for Chelsea, everyone at Stamford Bridge is feeling optimistic once again.

At the weekend, the Blues beat champions Liverpool 2-1, thanks to an absolute rocket from Moisés Caicedo, before the winner came deep in stoppage time, with Marc Cucurella’s low cross turned home at the back post by Estêvão Willian.

Enzo Maresca was shown a red card following a José Mourinho-esque dash down the touchline, but he surely won’t mind too much, given that his side had yielded just a solitary point from their previous three Premier League matches, making this a much-needed statement victory.

Plenty of Chelsea players caught the eye, but is there a future young star, currently out on loan at… yes, you guessed it, who supporters should be even more excited about?

How Estêvão Willian has announced himself at Chelsea

As has been their want, Chelsea have signed countless young attacking players in the last three seasons, but few surely boast as much potential as Estêvão Willian.

Despite only celebrating his 18th birthday as recently as March, he has already earned seven senior caps for Brazil, scoring against Chile at the Maracanã last month, making 83 appearances for Palmeiras, scoring 27 goals and registering 15 assists.

With the Verdão, he won a Brasileirão title as well as firing the São Paulo-based side to the quarter-finals of last summer’s Club World Cup, on target against his future employers in defeat in Philadelphia in July, giving Chelsea fans an amuse-bouche of what he would bring.

Thus, by the time he arrived in West London, he did so with sky-high expectations; former Chelsea player and manager Roberto Di Matteo for one asserted that he will become one of the best players in the world.

Well, having been somewhat in and out of the team to date, Saturday’s last-gasp winner against Liverpool could be the moment Estêvão announces himself to the world, but do Chelsea have an even bigger talent waiting in the wings?

Chelsea's next Eden Hazard could rival Estêvão

Chelsea acquire so many attacking teenagers that one often wonders if they remember they’ve signed them all, but in Kendry Páez, they may have stumbled across a future world-beater.

In a deal agreed over two years ago, the 18-year-old arrived from Independiente del Valle this summer for a reported fee of £17.27m, before being immediately loaned out to Strasbourg; must’ve been some tough negotiations.

Despite his youthful age, he has already accumulated 20 caps for World Cup-bound Ecuador, scoring during just his second appearance for la Tricolor against Bolivia in La Paz, before also converting a Copa América penalty as his side beat Jamaica 3-1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

His club performances in Ecuador, as well as in the Copa Libertadores, certainly caught the eye, with Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labelling him a “pure quality talent”, while Jack Manship of Total Football Analysis praised his ‘remarkable feat’ and ‘dazzling’ dribbling ability, outlining how he can be both deployed centrally or on either flank.

Páez has adapted quickly to life at BlueCo’s other club, Strasbourg, scoring his first Ligue 1 goal last month, heading home at Stade Jean-Bouin as Liam Rosenior’s side beat Paris FC 3-2 in the capital.

So, let’s assess his statistics in France so far this season.

As the table documents, it is early in both Páez career in general but also his time at Stade de la Meinau, how ever long that may be, but he is already having an impact for les Bleu et Blanc.

His numbers in terms of progressive carries and carries into the opposition’s penalty area are both particularly eye-catching, reminiscent of, arguably, Chelsea’s greatest ever attacker, another winger who made his name in Ligue 1.

Before moving to West London in 2013, Eden Hazard featured 194 times for Lille, scoring 50 goals and registering 53 assists, winning both the Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France with les Dogues in 2011.

He would go on to star for Chelsea, scoring 110 goals in total, many of which were spectacular and mesmerising, none more so than this solo effort against West Ham in 2019, his best and final season for the Blues, scoring 21 times as Maurizio Sarri’s side picked up the Europa League trophy in Baku.

Well, if Páez turns out to be half the player Hazard was, the £17m paid to secure the teenager’s signature will prove to be money well spent.

In wide attacking areas, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, Pedro Neto and match-winner Estêvão all featured during the victory over Liverpool, not forgetting the injured talisman Cole Palmer, but Páez could prove to be the best of the lot.

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A position often heavily scrutinised in Enzo Maresca’s system at Chelsea are his wingers, who are tasked with holding the width in the early stages of build-up, pinning opposition fullbacks and looking to isolate them 1v1 at any given chance.

However, the profiles of wingers Chelsea currently have at their disposal aren’t the exact archetype Maresca would favour, apart from Noni Madueke who fits the bill.

Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho are slightly different in style, therefore offering a plan B when needed.

Chelsea looking to improve their attack

Adding another direct type winger who is more akin to Madueke on the opposite side could take Chelsea to another level next season, giving them directness on both flanks to force the issue and create high xG chances.

Transfer Focus

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

So, it will come as no surprise to learn they’re after one of the finest wingers in European football right now.

Indeed, according to reports from Spain, Chelsea are one of three teams who are ‘ready to make a move’ for Barcelona forward, Raphinha, with the Blues identifying the Brazilian winger as a “priority target”. The other two clubs interested are Manchester City and Saudi side Al Hilal.

The Blues were in for Raphinha back in 2022 prior to his move to Barcelona, with the Brazil international opting to join the Spanish outfit instead after leaving Leeds United for a fee of around £55m.

Raphinha has made 49 appearances for the Spanish giants in all competitions this season, scoring 30 goals, providing 21 assists and totalling 3,952 minutes played.

Barca are still on for the treble this season, and achieving this could see the 28-year-old become the front-runner for the Ballon D’or.

How Raphinha could benefit Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer has found himself in a bit of a rut this second half of the season, still having 14 goals and nine assists in 39 appearances this campaign, but going without a goal for the past three months, last scoring against Bournemouth back in January.

This campaign has been very different for the 22-year-old star, often being man-marked and focused on by opposition pressing schemes, limiting his time and space on the ball.

One thing that could help to open up those alleys of space Palmer loves to operate within is the addition of more relentless runners, something the Blues have missed at points this season. This is where Raphinha comes in.

When looking at the Brazilian’s underlying numbers alongside Chelsea’s central creator, you can see the former receives 10.8 progressive passes per 90. This is a big indicator that he is a focal point and outlet for Barcelona, often looking to penetrate the opposition’s defensive line with runs in behind.

This is exactly what Palmer needs in order to stretch the spaces between the opposition’s first two lines of contact, the first being their forwards/midfielders in the pressing unit, and the second being the defensive line.

Raphinha has even been labelled as “the best player in the world” this season by Statman Dave, and his incredible willingness to be direct and run beyond is one of his key characteristics as a player. Not to mention he’s scoring by the bucket load and creating heaps of goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.

Palmer has looked at his best when linking up with Nicolas Jackson and Madueke this season, Chelsea’s two most relentless runners in the front line, willing to run in behind in order to create space for the England international.

As a result, another with Raphinha would only benefit the England international, making it harder for teams to cut off his preferred zones of space.

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