Liverpool slumped down to eighth in the Premier League table after they were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City at The Etihad in the last game before the international break.

The Reds have now lost seven of their last ten matches in all competitions and five of their 11 games in the Premier League, in what has been a dismal defence of their title so far.

Arne Slot will be disappointed with his side’s dreadful run of form and should use the international break to come up with a new way of approaching matches to turn the season around.

One thing that the Dutch head coach must look to do is to revive Mohamed Salah’s form, because the reigning Premier League Player of the Year has not been at his best.

How far Mo Salah's numbers have fallen this season

The Egypt international won the Player of the Year award by delivering 29 goals and 18 assists in the top-flight last season, helping the Reds to the Premier League title.

Unfortunately, the left-footed superstar has not quite been at his sparkling best for Slot in the current campaign, although he has still delivered four goals and two assists in 11 league games.

Appearances

38

11

Goals

29

4

Minutes per goal

116

246

Big chances missed

24

6

Conversion rate

22%

15%

Key passes per game

2.4

1.9

Assists

18

2

As you can see in the table above, Salah is scoring and assisting goals less frequently than he did last season, with a lower conversion rate, which is why the manager needs to find a way to get him back to his best.

Per Sofascore, the winger registered three shots without any going on target and created three chances without any of them being ‘big chances’, but he was not the only Liverpool forward who failed to deliver.

Why Hugo Ekitike's place in the XI should be on borrowed time

Hugo Ekitike put in a disappointing performance in the number nine shirt and his place in the starting line-up may be on borrowed time come the other side of the break.

The France international was given the nod to lead the line for the Reds against the Cityzens, but he was just as ineffective as Salah at the top end of the pitch.

Per Sofascore, Ekitike did not take a single shot in the match and only made one key pass, whilst he also lost 100% (2/2) of his duels, which speaks to how underwhelming his display was.

In his 11 minutes on the pitch after the post above, the former Eintracht Frankfurt centre-forward did not take any shots or attempt any dribbles, but he did create one chance in what was an “anonymous” performance.

Ekitike has now failed to score in his last five appearances in the Premier League for the Reds, per Sofascore, and has only scored three goals in ten games in the division in total.

Unlike Salah, the French striker does not have an incredible career at Liverpool to buy him more time in the starting XI if performances like his one against Manchester City persist, which is why he may be on borrowed time in the XI.

On top of that, Alexander Isak returned from injury to make the bench on Sunday, which puts further pressure on Ekitike. The former Newcastle man scored 23 goals in the Premier League last season, per Sofascore, and could take his place in the starting line-up unless the ex-Bundesliga star improves his performances.

Man City fans' brutal chant sums up Florian Wirtz's time at Liverpool

The German struggled, yet again, for the Reds against Manchester City.

ByJames O'Reilly Nov 9, 2025

Celtic took on FC Midtjylland on Thursday evening. One of these clubs is a former European champion; a UEFA Cup finalist as recently as 2003. You wouldn’t have thought it was the team in green and white.

Yes, the trip to Denmark saw the Hoops’ season reach yet another low following a dismal 3-1 defeat in the Europa League, with a late Reo Hatate consolation doing little to help lift the mood among Martin O’Neill’s side.

It was men against boys stuff at the MCH Arena, in truth, evoking memories of last season’s humiliation at the hands of Borussia Dortmund, with the home side scoring three times in an eight-minute first-half blitz.

From the highs of Sunday’s extra-time triumph over rivals Rangers, the Parkhead outfit were very much brought crashing back down to earth, with such a display only heightening the need to wrap up this ongoing managerial search sooner rather than later.

It was a night in which anything that could go wrong did go wrong, a fact epitomised by the sight of Hampden hero Callum Osmand being stretchered off late on, cruelly cutting short what had been a lively cameo from the teenage striker.

Until that abrupt withdrawal, Osmand had been perhaps the only positive for O’Neill and co, coming amid a string of otherwise dour performances – including from a certain Anthony Ralston.

Ralston's game in numbers vs Midtjylland

The unfortunate blow of losing the ex-Fulham forward has further emphasised just how depleted Celtic are right now, with the Scottish champions faced with a raft of key absentees to add to their growing woes.

Indeed, there remains no Cameron Carter-Vickers, nor Jota. No Kelechi Iheanacho or Alistair Johnston. On the evidence of Ralston’s Danish display, the return of the latter man can’t come soon enough.

That may appear a harsh assessment for a player who has been a solid servant since his surprise rise under Ange Postecoglou, although the right-back’s shortcomings were brutally exposed amid the first-half onslaught last night.

The Scotland international was notably at fault for the home side’s second of the night, having almost watched as the impressive Mikel Gorgoza skipped past him, before curling a delightful effort into the far corner.

On the receiving end of an undoubtedly debatable handball call at the weekend, Ralston’s luck doesn’t seem to be in right now, with his woes also evident as he lost the ball on nine occasions from his 55 touches, while boasting a limp 79% pass accuracy, as per Sofascore.

While the typically committed full-back did win four of his five tackles, there was little in the way of any attacking impetus, having failed to even provide a single key pass or cross on the night, nor attempt a single dribble.

Limited would be the word to describe the 26-year-old, unfortunately, with the Glasgow giants desperately in need of Johnston’s return before too long.

That’s not to say Ralston was the only villain in Denmark, however, with issues cropping up all across the park.

How Celtic were let down by experienced faces

Scrutiny over the club’s new faces or emerging talents, be it Benjamin Nygren or Johnny Kenny, is no doubt justified following the limp showing of the pair in midweek, although much of the criticism should be centred around O’Neill’s core of experienced figures.

Indeed, while having had little chance with any of the three goals, Kasper Schmeichel was again somewhat erratic when playing out from the back, with that also the word to use for summer returnee, Kieran Tierney, as the struggling star notably lost the ball on 14 occasions from his left-back berth.

Long-serving hero, James Forrest, meanwhile, was hooked at the break having repeatedly run into trouble when cutting in from the right flank, albeit with perhaps the biggest frustration having been the performance of skipper Callum McGregor at the base of the midfield.

So often the shining light for Celtic, as he was at Hampden just a matter of days ago, McGregor at his best is central to everything good about the team, pulling the strings in metronomic fashion from his deep-lying berth.

Unfortunately, this latest outing was far from the captain in his pomp, with much of the away side’s woes stemming from the Scotsman’s inability to dictate proceedings, having been no match for the physicality of the towering opposition.

Up against the likes of ex-Bournemouth star Philip Billing, McGregor simply couldn’t get a foothold in the game, failing to make a single tackle or win any of his five attempted duels, while being dribbled past twice.

In an attacking sense too, the 32-year-old was also found wanting, having failed to successfully complete a single dribble or cross, while losing the ball on ten occasions from just 41 touches.

Minutes

90

Touches

41

Pass accuracy

78%

Key passes

0

Crosses

0

Dribbles

0

Possession lost

10

Tackles

0

Total duels won

0/5

Dribbled past

2

For a man who has averaged 81.8 touches per game in the Premiership this season, as per Sofascore, such a drop off only serves to emphasise his struggles, with the typically reliable midfielder enduring a real off night in truth.

At a time of so much chaos and uncertainty surrounding the club, O’Neill – or his permanent successor – are in need of figures like McGregor to step up to the plate.

As Thursday’s outing showcased, however, he is currently the captain of something of a sinking ship.

Postecoglou 2.0: Surprise target emerges to now replace Rodgers at Celtic

Celtic’s search for a new manager continues, with a new Ange Postecoglou figure under consideration…

ByRobbie Walls Nov 6, 2025

Adam Lallana would be “interested” in becoming the next manager of Southampton.

Since winning the 2024 Championship play-off final, it has hardly been the future that Southampton would have anticipated. Russell Martin, who guided them back to the Premier League, was replaced by Ivan Juric mid-season, following a turgid start to the 2024/25 campaign.

Juric was unable to turn around Southampton’s misfortune, as they became the first club to be relegated from the English top flight with as many as seven games remaining.

Will Still, who made a reputation for himself with Reims and Lens, joined in the summer. Despite his promise and an influx of summer signings, though, Still also struggled for form. After just two Championship wins in 13 matches and a three-game losing streak, Southampton parted ways with Still and have since been on the hunt for a new manager.

Now, it would appear that an unlikely candidate would happily take on the role were he offered the job.

Lallana to replace Still?

Following the 2024/25 season, Adam Lallana called time on his 19-year playing career. The midfielder, who came through the ranks at Southampton, played for the Saints for eight years until joining Liverpool in 2014. Six years later, Lallana moved to Brighton before returning to St. Mary’s, for a single season, in 2024.

As per Sky Sports, Lallana, who currently works as a first-team coach with the Saints, would be “interested in becoming a head coach”.

Across his playing career, Lallana played with some incredible managers, including Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton. Lallana has been outspoken about his “love” for De Zerbi, who now manages Ligue 1 side Marseille. No doubt then that he would look to draw from the Italian for inspiration in his own coaching career.

Despite his enthusiasm however, it appears that he is “an unlikely option at this time, given his lack of experience in the role”.

Southampton are aiming for a swift return to the English top flight, though their start to the 2025/26 season suggests that they may fall short of the mark they were aiming for.

Lallana could, no doubt, start his career as a first-team head coach in the coming years. With Southampton, however, it could well be too much, too soon for the former midfielder. He would be inheriting a club that desperately need lifting from the slump they find themselves in and a more-experienced option may better benefit the Saints at this time.

Southampton consider short-term deal for new manager

MEYBA are back and have cooked up a third collaboration with The Beatles, completing a trilogy which brings together football, music, art and culture. They've already achieved great success together with two previous drops, and for their final act in this series, they have gone all in to bring back the spirit of Yellow Submarine, one of the world's very first cross-platform successes.

MEYBAThree new football shirts – £65

The collection features three new football shirts, coming hot off MEYBA's drops honouring Abbey Road and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The extra distinction with Yellow Submarine is its wider cultural impact, with its psychedelic colour scheme and popping visuals coming from the animated film of the same name in 1968, two years after the release of the album.

Yellow Submarine is widely credited with the boom in vibrant art styles seen in animation for the decades that followed. MEYBA has sought to stay true to that in this modern reboot, with each football shirt a tribute to locations within the film. The black-and-white number represents the Sea of Holes, while the titular submarine and the Blue Meanies are instantly recognisable with their associated palettes.

AdvertisementMEYBAFour graphical t-shirts – £45

Accompanying the football shirts for this drop are limited edition graphical t-shirts, adorned with either an 'All You Need Is Love' quote or the idiosyncratic submarine in a reversed colour scheme.

Though the main palettes on these t-shirts are perhaps less exciting, coming in white, black and grey, the contrast to the funkier colours of the graphics themselves make them stand out from the crowd in true late-sixties Beatles fashion.

MEYBABespoke varsity jacket – £150

Talk about a coveted piece of merch. This stunning varsity jacket features caricatures of the band's four members – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr – on jet black sleeves, with the deep blue of the Blue Meanies again featuring on the body. A Yellow Submarine patch appears with the MEYBA logo on the front, with another cartoon of the band all together on the back.

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MEYBAMEYBA's journey, collaborations and future

MEYBA, once one of Spain's most revered sportswear producers and Barcelona's partner when they won their first European Cup in 1992, have been busy making football shirts fit for all sorts of cross-cultural purposes, from festivals to food to music and more.

Jonathan Jones, MEYBA's Head of Global Marketing, said: "This collection represents everything MEYBA stands for – creativity, nostalgia, and cultural storytelling through football design. Yellow Submarine allowed us to blur the lines between sport, art, and music in a joyful, playful way."

It's only fitting that the trilogy wraps up with a Spanish brand honouring a piece of art called Yellow Submarine, given that is the nickname of one of the country's most successful teams and Champions League side Villarreal, who hail from a community town of around 50,000 people.

This is, however, not the end of MEYBA's return to football or their adventures dipping into other cultures and mediums, with an exciting future still in their sights having agreed deals with clubs all over the world.

The 2025 MLB season has certainly not gone the way Justin Verlander hoped when he signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants in January.

Through 14 starts, Verlander has posted a 4.84 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings pitched. He also has yet to record a win.

Verlander has qualified for a win—going at least five innings on the bump—in 10 of his 14 starts this season. The Giants have gone 3-11 in his 14 outings and haven't won a Verlander start since May 18—a 3–2 win over the Athletics when he allowed two runs on three hits and five walks in four innings.

The 42-year-old Verlander is just the eighth pitcher this century to fail to record a win in his first 14 starts of the season (minimum 70 innings pitched).

MLB pitchers with no wins in first 14 starts of season (min. 70 IP; since 2000)

PLAYER	TEAM (YEAR)	ERA (RECORD)	FIRST WIN
Justin Verlander	Giants (2025)	4.84 (0-6)	—
Jordan Lyles	Royals (2023)	6.89 (0-11)	June 24 (16th start)
Blake Snell	Rays (2017)	4.98 (0-6)	Aug. 15 (16th start)
Jerad Eickhoff	Phillies (2017)	4.93 (0-7)	July 9 (15th start)
Marco Estrada	Brewers (2012)	4.64 (0-5)	Aug. 21 (16th start)
Kenshin Kawakami	Braves (2010)	4.78 (0-9)	June 26 (15th start)
Kevin Millwood	Orioles (2010)	5.16 (0-8)	June 19 (15th start)
Tanyon Sturtze	Rays (2002)	4.79 (0-8)	June 26 (16th start)

To Verlander's credit, he has logged five quality starts (at least six innings and three or fewer runs allowed), but San Francisco haven't given him much run support, especially in those games.

There have only been four pitchers in MLB history to start at least 14 games and not record a win over a full season—Paolo Espino (2022), Spencer Howard (2021), Ryne Stanek (2019) and Vida Blue (1983). Espino started the year in the bullpen for the Washington Nationals, and Howard and Stanek were used as openers for their respective teams. Blue floated in and out of the bullpen for the 1983 Kansas City Royals.

The good news for Verlander? All seven other pitchers on the above chart were able to notch their first win of the season in their 15th or 16th start. Perhaps a bit of good fortune awaits the veteran before the All-Star break.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية السبب الذي دفع سيرجيو راموس لمغادرة مونتيري المكسيكي حيث ينتهي عقده في نهاية ديسمبر المقبل.

وأفادت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية أن المدافع الإسباني المخضرم يغادر مونتيري المكسيكي بهدف إحياء حلمه بالعودة للمنتخب الإسباني مرة أخرى.

ويتمثل السببان الرئيسيان اللذين دفعا صاحب الـ39 عاماً لاتخاذ هذا القرار، في تفضيل عائلته الحياة في إسبانيا ورغبة راموس في الاستدعاء لقائمة كأس العالم 2026.

ويعتقد راموس أن مشاركته بشكل منتظم في دوري أقرب إلى أسلوب اللعب في إسبانيا وفي مسابقات أعلى مستوى، قد تقنع لويس دي لا فوينتي بإعادة النظر في ضمه.

أقرأ أيضاً.. سيرجيو راموس يحسم موقفه من البقاء مع مونتيري المكسيكي

ولعب راموس أسطورة ريال مدريد آخر مرة مع منتخب إسبانيا في 2021 ولم يتم استدعائه لبطولة يورو 2020 أو كأس العالم 2022 أو كأس أمم أوروبا 2024.

جدير بالذكر أن سيرجيو راموس سجل 7 أهداف خلال 30 مباراة خاضهم بقميص مونتيري المكسيكي، ويحتل الفريق المركز الخامس في الدوري المكسيكي ب31 نقطة.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com o corte de Gabriel Magalhães, zagueiro do Arsenal que sofre com uma inflamação no tendão de Aquiles, a tendência é que os estreantes Murilo, do Palmeiras, e Fabrício Bruno, do Flamengo, disputem uma vaga entre os titulares da Seleção Brasileira.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

O escolhido de Dorival Júnior deve compor a dupla de defensores ao lado de Beraldo, titular do PSG, presente na primeira lista.

Caso o comandante opte por manter a hierarquia da convocação, o camisa 26 do Verdão entra como “favorito” em relação ao defensor rubro-negro, quinta opção, que herdou a vaga de Marquinhos, cortado em razão de problemas físicos.

Bremer, por sua vez , corre por fora na disputa. Isso porque o jogador foi a última opção de Dorival para integrar o sistema defensivo da Amarelinha.

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No entanto, o zagueiro da Juventus possui experiência no futebol de seleções e participou da última Copa do Mundo, disputada no Qatar.

Em reta final de preparação para a disputa da Copa América, a Seleção disputará dois amistosos na Europa. No próximo sábado (23), o Brasil encara a Inglaterra, no estádio de Wembley, em Londres. Três dias depois,, enfrenta a Espanha, no Santiago Bernabéu, em Madrid.

Tudo sobre

Dorival JúniorEspanhaFlamengoInglaterraPalmeirasSeleção Brasileirazagueiro

Former United States men's national team goalkeeper Tim Howard expressed bewilderment at Weston McKennie’s omission from the squad for the upcoming November friendlies. The Juventus midfielder’s absence from Mauricio Pochettino’s roster has raised eyebrows as the U.S. prepares for matches against Paraguay and Uruguay later this month.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Howard baffled by McKennie’s absence

  Howard didn't mince words when discussing McKennie's absence, stating that the decision "makes no sense to him at all." The former USMNT star pointed out that McKennie would essentially be training with a skeleton squad at Juventus during the international break, providing limited opportunity to impress his club manager. 

  “Weston’s going to be training, all the other internationals at his club are gone!” Howard said on the Unfiltered soccer podcast. “They’re going to their national team, so he’s going to be training with a skeleton squad or some reserves or some other guys.

  “So, I can assure everybody who’s listening, you are not impressing a manager in a 10-day international window back at your club. And by the way, if that was the case, I’d say to my manager, ‘You want to assess me? Well, I’m going to play two games, I’m going to play two really good international games, you should watch those 180 minutes cause I’m going to be on the pitch.’

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• Communication questions raise concerns about commitment

  The former goalkeeper's comments highlighted potential issues in the relationship between the player and national team management. Howard questioned whether Pochettino had even spoken directly with McKennie about the decision, and if so, expressed surprise that such an arrangement would be acceptable to the coaching staff.

  “So I don’t know how, apparently, the players and the managers don’t speak with the U.S. team, but if they did have a conversation, I’m curious,” Howard said. “Did Poch say, ‘Hey Wes, I’m going to leave you out?’…So I don’t even know how that was accepted by the player….So this again tells me that the national team isn’t a priority. People are going to argue that with me, I think the World Cup for these players is a priority; I don’t think the national team is a priority.”

• Getty Images
  

  Howard questions logic behind McKennie’s continued USMNT absence

  Howard expressed disbelief over Weston McKennie’s omission from the national team squad for the November 2025 friendlies, calling the situation “baffling.” He highlighted that McKennie’s exclusion means he will have featured in just one national team camp over the past calendar year despite being among the program’s top performers.

  “I’m baffled by this one, because I think I’m right here, if he doesn’t come into this camp, which he’s not, the next time he’s available to come into camp is March," Howard said. "And I then believe it will be one calendar year where he’s only been in camp with the national team one time. That’s crazy…Probably our top three, certainly our top five best player, hands down has been with the team one time in the calendar year.”

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Player availability continue to challenge Pochettino

  McKennie's absence continues a pattern of availability challenges that have plagued the USMNT throughout recent international windows. Injuries and game management have also prevented players like Chris Richards, Christian Pulisic, and several others from being a part of a crucial November international window for the USMNT.

England’s Bajan boys Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell had a party of their own in front of family, friends and fans in the first T20I

Cameron Ponsonby10-Nov-2024There’s many reasons why you’re sat reading about the West Indies vs England T20I, and Phil Salt was out there playing it.Talent, for one. Desire, another. And that’s before we mention ability, the coach at Under-13s who didn’t back you and that knee injury you had at 16. You could have made it.But one of the main reasons is because on Thursday, Salt was invited to a party with Rihanna and turned it down in favour of an early night. You choose to have five beers on a Friday with your mate who works in finance and says “inflation” every other word, Salt chooses not to hang out with one of the world’s most successful and talented mega stars even with 48 hours to spare to pop a Berocca or two.Related

Jafer Chohan leaves England tour to prepare for Lions, Big Bash

The second coming of Saqib Mahmood, the 'King of Barbados'

Bethell hoping to dodge Barbados boos on homecoming

Salt's century, Mahmood's four power England to big win

“Rihanna’s parties can wait,” Salt joked after the game.It is, objectively, the wrong decision and one might think less of Salt as a result. When the new era of player welfare came in, where they were asked to prioritise themselves as much as the game, this is what they were talking about. Going to parties with pop stars. Not golf.But he did score a century. So there’s that.On a genuinely wonderful evening at Kensington Oval, Salt, who spent part of his childhood here, registered his third hundred in five matches against West Indies, while Jacob Bethell, for whom Barbados is home, registered his maiden T20I fifty in front of a crowd that appeared to be 90% friends and family.The Bajan boys did the business for England. Both of them played their cricket for Harrison College down the road, a school where Bethell was a pupil, while Salt was a loanee, attending a nearby private school but being released on daycare to play cricket.Salt himself described Kensington Oval as the ground he has watched the most cricket at through his youth. The tale of him watching Paul Collingwood carry the T20 trophy past him in 2010 is well trodden for a reason. This place means something to him and when he reached three figures, the outpouring of emotion spoke to that.”I don’t get very emotional on the cricket field,” he said afterwards. “But that’s as close as I’ve come I think for so many reasons. That’s number one for me.”Jacob Bethell scored his first T20I fifty in front of a crowd that looked 90% friends and family•Getty ImagesA lifelong Manchester City fan, Salt added, “It’s something you can’t really put into words without wanting to sound too cheesy. That’s what you dream of as a kid. That is the cricket equivalent of the 30-yard screamer at Maine Road in the 89th minute.”Barbados is a small place. As of 2023, the population stood at 282,000. So when one of their own takes to the field people know about it. Salt has played here for England many times, but for Bethell it was a first.His school coach, Corey Edwards, a former Barbadian seamer, said he knew Bethell was destined for the top from the beginning. While Barry Wilkinson, a local commentator, remembered Bethell from when he was three years old and described watching him walk out at Kensington Oval as the closest thing to “watching his son” do the same. Whether he would play at this ground as an international cricketer seems of less debate than who it would be for. Wilkinson always thought it would be for West Indies, Edwards wasn’t so sure.Regardless, the locals supported both as their own. Mainly because they are.”There was a turning point in the chase where we could both sort of feel the crowd had turned and were now supporting us,” Salt said of their partnership.”Is that his old school?” Salt asked, looking over to a throng of supporters still in the stands supporting their friend. “Good on him, I love that. I’m more pleased for him than I am myself right now, seeing that. There’s a lot of happy people with smiling faces there, it was Beth’s first 50 on this ground.”Phil Salt made his third T20I century, all of them in the Caribbean•Getty ImagesFor Salt, his innings added to his incredible record against West Indies. In his last five matches against them, he has made three centuries and scored 456 runs at an average of 228 with a strike rate of 193.The three centuries represent his only in T20I cricket and one of the two innings where he didn’t reach three figures was an 87 not out in the World Cup. On the surface, asking Salt what the secret sauce against these lot appears to be a dull question, it is surely a coincidence, but it is one he has wondered himself.”The secret is there is no secret,” he said. “I had a look into it to see if there is anything I could take in other places in different conditions and there really wasn’t that much. It just seems to be that I’ve played a bit better here, that’s it.”On paper, it was a routine victory for England. But everywhere you looked across the evening there was entertainment to hand. Andre Russell launching Liam Livingstone onto the roof and out of the stadium before being caught next ball. Jos Buttler snaring a one-handed catch at slip before being caught even more preposterously by Gudakesh Motie at third for a golden duck. Motie himself walking out at 117 for 8 and blazing his first two balls for sixes. It was full throttle, played out in front of an invested, passionate crowd that was evenly split between tourists and locals. If there is a way to watch cricket that is better than a T20 on a Saturday night in Bridgetown, I’m yet to see it.But even after all that, you’d think you’d still rather party with Rihanna on a Thursday.

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 key stats from last 2 PL seasons

Stat (per 90)

2024/25

2025/26)

Chances created

0.9

1.8

Forward passes

14

17.8

Take-ons completed

0.7

0.7

Duels won

4.6

3.5

Ball recoveries

6.1

4

Stats from Squawka

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.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Oct 30, 2025