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O embate entre Internacional eVasco no Beira-Rio logo mais será simbólica para a torcida vascaína. Na 10ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, as duas equipes se encontrarão pela primeira vez depois desta rivalidade perder um de seus nomes mais emblemáticos. Morto em 8 de janeiro, aos 68 anos, Roberto Dinamite começou a trilhar seu caminho para a idolatria diante do Colorado. A partida será realizada às 16h deste domingo (11).

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Mesmo às vésperas de mais uma edição de Inter e Vasco, as lembranças daquele 25 de novembro de 1971 no qual Roberto se consagrou no Maracanã seguem latentes. Zagueiro que partiu para a marcação do então promissor atacante cruz-maltino, o colorado Pontes recordou-se com nostalgia daquele jogo pelo Brasileirão.

+ Confira a classificação atualizada e a tabela completa do Brasileirão

– Na verdade, foi ali que começou a aparecer o futebol do Roberto. De certa forma, fico feliz, mesmo sem querer, me tornei um “parceiro” dele, desse momento que deu confiança para ele crescesse. E o gol foi realmente muito bonito – recordou o defensor, que, ao LANCE!, descreveu como foi a jogada:

– Fizeram o lançamento para ele e, como tinha antecipação boa, o Roberto foi para cima. Tentei o combate, ele me driblou, aí o chute foi impressionante. Acertou a forquilha, não deu chance pro Gainete – completou.

Roberto tinha entrado em campo no lugar de Gilson Nunes. O Vasco vencia a partida, com gol de Buglê, e confirmou a vitória por 2 a 0. No dia seguinte, o “Jornal dos Sports” consolidou o apelido do eterno ídolo do Cruz-Maltino, ao estampar a manchete “Garoto-Dinamite explode no Maracanã”.

O ex-defensor revelou uma situação curiosa pela qual passou em torno da partida.

– Eu tinha um irmão que era vascaíno roxo. É claro que, por ser gaúcho e por eu estar no Internacional, ele torcia para o Inter. Mas ele estava no Maracanã e viu a situação toda. Até fez gozação comigo depois do jogo – disse.

Campeão brasileiro de 1975 pelo Colorado, Pontes deixou alguns alertas para o atual Internacional.

– Acredito que o Inter esteja pecando um pouco, insistindo com jogadas que não estão dando certo… Pode dar mais chances a atletas da base.

Em seguida, o ex-zagueiro falou sobre o quanto a lembrança de Dinamite pode ser crucial para o Vasco.

– Ele é um exemplo de jogador vencedor. Tomara que quem está atualmente no Vasco saiba passar isso, ainda mais nesse momento no qual o clube vem passando por momentos difíceis e em meio a uma transformação no seu futebol – disse.

O Cruz-Maltino tenta se reencontrar com as vitórias após uma indigesta sequência de oito jogos.

Finishing with aplomb, Sunderland have now reportedly reached an agreement to sign another impressive star from a Champions League club.

Chelsea recall Marc Guiu from Sunderland

One of the many impressive deals that Sunderland struck earlier this summer was an agreement to take Marc Guiu on loan from Chelsea. The young forward is full of potential and was ready to challenge for a place in Regis Le Bris’ side until Liam Delap’s injury caused a frustrating domino effect.

Now, having only just started working his way into Sunderland’s Premier League plans, Guiu must compete for a place in a dressing room that is filled to the brim with young talent. Sunderland, meanwhile, have been forced to turn their focus back towards the transfer market.

On that front, it looks as though the Black Cats are in for a frantic deadline day. Despite already spending big this summer, Reports now suggesting that they’ve reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to Lutsharel Geertruida in yet another impressive move for a player from a European club.

Meanwhile, when questioned on potential deadline day moves, Le Bris told reporters: “The last couple of days are always a crazy period. I think every club waits until the last minute to decide.”

After such a strong start to their Premier League return – winning two out of their opening three games – any added reinforcements will be an even further boost for those at the Stadium of Light. With Geertruida agreed and Guiu heading back to Chelsea, Sunderland have also shifted their focus towards a Champions League ace.

Sunderland reach agreement to sign Brobbey

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Sunderland have now reached an agreement to sign Brian Brobbey from Ajax on deadline day. The forward has benefitted from Cheslea’s Guiu decision and a deal worth around €25m (£22m) with add-ons has now been struck. With a medical scheduled, the Dutchman looks poised to seal his move.

Granit Xhaka was an excellent coup earlier this summer, but Sunderland will arguably top that by signing both Geertruida and Brobbey on a fantastic double deadline day deal. The forward, in particular, would be a major upgrade on the more inexperienced Guiu.

Dubbed “powerful” by U23 scout Antonio Mango last year, Brobbey scored seven goals and assisted another six in all competitions last season as Ajax struggled, but it was the season prior that he showed his true potential.

Sunderland now "keen" to sign rapid £35m star similar to Vinicius Junior

The Black Cats are ready to make a late swoop…

1 BySean Markus Clifford Aug 31, 2025

After scoring 22 goals and assisting 11 more in all competitions in the 2023/24 campaign, it’s clear that Sunderland are signing a player that is capable of taking the Premier League by storm.

Benjamin Sesko has yet to impress on the field for Manchester United since his big summer move from RB Leipzig. The Slovenian has faile to score a goal for the Red Devils despite playing close to 300 minutes. The search goes on, but a picture from training has shown Sesko mimic Old Trafford icon Mark Hughes and his famous 1989 volley against Manchester City.

• Sesko shows off skills in Man Utd training

  Sesko's arrival from RB Leipzig this summer was supposed to bring with it a flurry of goals to a struggling Manchester United side. However, the same form he displayed in Germany has not been showcased on the field in England.

  But fans were given a treat on Thursday when the club shared a picture of Sesko attempting a side-on scissor volley, the type of which Hughes was a master of in his 1980s and 1990s heyday.

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  Sesko shows sharp form in training

  While Sesko's overall form on the field has failed to suggest it, reports from inside the Manchester United camp have suggested that the Slovenian has been doing well behind closed doors since joining the club, described as “very sharp” in front of goal. He has also, at times, drawn “ripples of applause” from teammates marvelling at his finishing.

• Sesko's stats so far at Man Utd

  Sesko has played five games so far, totalling nearly 300 minutes in the Premier League and the Carabao Cup. However, the striker has only managed to take five shots, with just one of them troubling a goalkeeper. Additionally, the Slovenian has only managed a total of eight touches in the opposition's box and won nine of his 17 aerial duels despite his dominating 6ft 5in stature.

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  Man Utd to face off against Brentford with Sesko starting

  Sesko will likely be a starter in Manchester United's crucial Premier League clash against Brentford on Saturday, as the Red Devils look to string together two wins for the first time this season.

After eight seasons outside the luxuries of the Premier League, it’s fair to say Sunderland returned with a bang against West Ham United.

The first half played out as a tense 0-0 affair, before the Black Cats then suddenly burst into life as Eliezer Mayenda, Daniel Ballard, and Wilson Isidor all found the back of the net in quick succession to hand Regis Le Bris’ underdogs a glorious 3-0 win.

Off the back of such an impressive victory, Sunderland find themselves just below top spot in the Premier League on goal difference, owing to Manchester City’s slightly more emphatic 4-0 success.

The aim will be to continue to put wins on the board to ensure a heartbreaking relegation doesn’t happen, with more signings looking to be in the pipeline, too, in order to help matters on the pitch.

Sunderland explore move for £30m star

Sunderland really have been one of the big spenders in the Premier League this summer, despite their newly promoted status.

£141.5m has been splashed out in total on 12 brand new signings, with the Black Cats adding former Bayer Leverkusen right-back Nordi Mukele to their camp just after the resounding triumph over the Hammers for £9.5m.

More cash could soon be spent on landing Getafe attacker Christantus Uche, with both Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers also keen on the Nigerian forward, on top of Le Bris’ outfit further taking a fancy to this new £30m target to upgrade their options up top.

Indeed, it had been reported that Sunderland had lodged a £27m bid for Leicester City star Abdul Fatawu. An update from BBC Sport confirms that the Wearside club is exploring a possible move for the standout Foxes winger, but a move may well prove to be tricky to get over the line, owing to his pricey valuation, which is now allegedly closer to £30m.

That means any move for the Ghanaian to join the Stadium of Light ranks would match their record transfer fee for Habib Diarra.

It could well be deemed a gamble worth exploring, with a potential here for Sunderland to pick up their next Amad Diallo if Fatawu goes on to be as tricky and effective as the Ivorian was all those years ago donning the famous red and white stripes.

How Fatawu could be Sunderland's next Amad

Amad would never get to grace the Stadium of Light turf in the Premier League.

Instead, he proved to be a dangerous spark throughout his loan stint in the Championship for the Wearside outfit, with Sunderland fans still possessing a fondness for the slick 23-year-old two years on from his explosive stint at the club.

14 goals and four assists would fall into Amad’s lap from 42 memorable appearances for the Black Cats, with his game then taken to that next level back at parent employers Manchester United, leaving him with a healthy haul of 14 goals and 12 assists for the Red Devils from 65 outings.

Fatawu will hope he can become as established in the Premier League if a move to Sunderland does manage to get off the ground, having already been dubbed “unplayable” for his heroics in the EFL by scout Jacek Kulig.

Games played

40

Goals scored

6

Assists

13

Big chances missed

0

Big chances created

32

Total duels won*

6.1

During Leicester’s title-winning exploits under Enzo Maresca, Fatawu would routinely light up the Championship – in a similar rampaging fashion to Amad on Wearside – with the right-sided winger accumulating a ridiculous 19 goal contributions from 40 clashes.

Staggeringly, 32 big chances would also be created from those contests, with the 21-year-old always on the front foot, wanting to make openings happen, much like his fellow left-footer Amad always looked to dazzle and please supporters when situated at Sunderland.

The next big stride Fatawu will have to make is translating this jaw-dropping Championship form over to the Premier League regularly, having managed to amass two assists at the level last campaign, before a cruciate ligament nightmare took over.

Sunderland might well be the best place for him to explode into life even more, based on their gung-ho performance against the Hammers, with the opportunity there for him to emerge as the next exciting young talent on the right flank, in the mould of Amad before him.

Moreover, their glittering track record with up-and-coming gems coming good is also in their favour here, as another major buy looks to be completed by the ambitious, top-flight newcomers in the nick of time.

An Adingra repeat: Sunderland submit huge bid to sign "unplayable" star

Sunderland aren’t done just yet with their excessive summer spending.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 19, 2025

كشف فيديريكو فالفيردي، نجم نادي ريال مدريد، عن تعليمات المدرب تشابي ألونسو له في مركز الظهير الأيمن، عقب الفوز على خيتافي يوم أمس الأحد بالدوري الإسباني.

ريال مدريد استمر في نتائجه المميزة خلال هذا الموسم وحقق فوزًا مثيرًا على حساب خيتافي بهدف مقابل لا شيء يوم أمس الأحد، ضمن الجولة التاسعة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى.

واستمر ألونسو في التعويل على فالفيردي في مركز الظهير الأيمن، وذلك مع غياب داني كارفاخال وترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، بسبب الإصابة.

وقال فالفيردي في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “البرنابيو ديجيتال”: ”طلب مني تشابي محاولة التواصل مع الجناح الذي لعب معي، محاولة لعب تمريرات ثنائية، ومواصلة الركض للأمام، اليوم حاولنا اللعب أكثر على اليسار وعندما دخل فينيسيوس، أعتقد أننا صنعنا فرصًا أكثر بكثير، صحيح أن فيني يجعلنا نسجل الكثير من الأهداف ويخلق المساحة”.

كما وجه فالفيردي الإشادة إلى نجم ريال مدريد وصاحب هدف الفوز، كيليان مبابي، حيث أضاف: “نحاول الاستمتاع به ومساعدته قدر الإمكان ومنحه المزيد من التمريرات الحاسمة حتى يستمتع بوقته ويكون قريبًا من مرمى الخصم ليتمكن من التسجيل”.

اقرأ أيضًا .. لاعب خيتافي لـ فينيسيوس جونيور خلال مباراة ريال مدريد: لهذا السبب يكرهك الجميع

وعن أهمية الانتصار على خيتافي أوضح فالفيردي: “فوز مهم للغاية، كنا نعلم أنها ستكون مباراة صعبة للغاية وأعتقد أننا قدمنا ​​أداءً جيدًا في الدفاع والهجوم، إنهم فريق جيد ويدافعون بشكل ممتاز، أتيحت لهم فرص للهجوم وأعتقد أننا كنا منتبهين جدًا لكراتهم الطويلة. قدم اللاعبون البدلاء أداءًا رائعًا، وهذا يدل على قوة الفريق وتماسكه”.

وأردف: ”خيتافي فريق صعب للغاية. إنهم جيدون ويعملون بجد. إنهم فريق متوازن للغاية في جميع مراكزه، والجميع يعرف ما يجب عليه فعله. ولهذا السبب من الصعب جدًا اللعب ضدهم. إنهم يبذلون جهدًا كبيرًا في الدفاع وهذا مرهق لنا ذهنيًا وبدنيًا. لكننا نتحلى بالصبر الذي نعاني منه أحيانًا”.

وعن لقاء يوفنتوس في دوري أبطال أوروبا، ثم مواجهة الكلاسيكو المرتقب أمام برشلونة في الدوري الإسباني اختتم فالفيردي: “من المهم أن نرتاح الآن بعد هذه المباراة التي كانت صعبة للغاية. هذا الأسبوع هو الأسبوع الذي يتمنى كل لاعب خوضه. استمتعوا بمباراة دوري أبطال أوروبا والتي ستكون بالنسبة لي ليلة رائعة مع جماهيرنا، ثم استعدوا للمباراة الرائعة التي نتمناها جميعًا ضد برشلونة”.

Despite defeat at Anfield before the international break, Arsenal return to action against Nottingham Forest on Saturday lunchtime to much excitement.

However, Mikel Arteta will be without key figures William Saliba, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, the latter facing a race against time to be available for next Sunday’s huge clash with Manchester City in North London.

In the past, injuries have derailed the Gunners’ title hopes and dreams, because they’ve simply not had the squad depth to cope with key absences.

Now though, after spending over £250m in the summer transfer market, that has changed, so Arteta must unleash a few of his summer signings, one who some are forecasting could become even better than Saka.

Eberechi Eze's home debut

Ahead of Arsenal’s first home game of the season, a 5-0 demolition of Leeds United, Eberechi Eze was presented to the Emirates crowd.

It was a genuinely spine-tingling moment, with Eze himself taken aback by the welcome home he received, 14 years after being released as a child, thinking his dream was dead.

Now though, after he was given a mere brief cameo at Anfield, Eze is ready to take centre stage, with those attending Saturday’s clash with Nottingham Forest doing so in anticipation of witnessing a home debut to remember.

As noted by Match of the Day, Arsenal have the second-lowest expected goals from open-play in the Premier League this season, their figure of 1.57 above only that of newly-promoted Sunderland, continuing a problem that has hampered Arteta’s team for a while.

This underlines why Eze has been signed, adding that much-needed creativity, but he may not be the only summer signing Arsenal will be hoping can shine this weekend and beyond.

More than just Arsenal's Bukayo Saka back-up

When Noni Madueke was recruited from Chelsea for £52m in the summer, plenty of eyebrows were raised, but the early signs are that this could be a shrewd piece of business.

In defeat to Liverpool, the 23-year-old was the Gunners’ most dangerous attacker throughout, always giving Miloš Kerkez something to think about, even if the end product was lacking.

Nevertheless, based on what he has produced so far, speaking on the Arscast, Philippe Auclair believes Madueke is simply far too good to merely be considered a Saka back-up, and his statistics last season support this argument.

Shots

80

14th

Shots per 90

3.54

4th

Big chances missed

14

18th

Progressive carries

154

3rd

Carries into the box

93

3rd

Attempted take-ons

102

25th

Touches in the box

184

5th

As the table notes, Madueke ranked behind only Jérémy Doku and Mohamed Salah when it came to progressive carries last season, also ranked in the top five in terms of shots per 90 and touches in the opposition’s penalty area.

He has certainly impressed Thomas Tuchel, starting three of England’s last four World Cup qualifiers, including both this month, scoring his first-ever international goal against Serbia at Stadion Rajko Mitić in Belgrade on Tuesday.

During the international break, former Manchester United defender Paul Parker was so impressed with Madueke that he exclaimed “I actually think he’s better than Bukayo Saka”, praising his frightening pace and ability to strike fear into defenders.

Given that Saka has been consistently excellent since first breaking into the Arsenal team in early-2020, this is a bold claim.

However, this competition for places can only be a good thing for Arteta, given that his star man is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, having sat out more than three months last season due to the same issue, missing 19 games, unquestionably derailing the Gunners’ title aspirations.

On Saturday specifically, it is tough to forecast who Ange Postecoglou will deploy at full-back, given that Ola Aina is set to spend three months on the sidelines, after sustaining a serious hamstring injury during Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

It won’t be Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back, he’s ineligible to face his parent club, but whoever it is will not relish coming up against Madueke, who will surely start in Saka’s place, looking to score his first Arsenal goal.

Arsenal's first Dowman: Meet the best player to ever come through Hale End

The talented Hale Ender just wasn’t good enough to make it at Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 11, 2025

In the end, Xabi Alonso had just one word for Real Madrid's 5-2 loss to Atletico Madrid on Saturday: "bad". Well, duh!

Los Blancos had enjoyed an undefeated start to the season and, heading into the first Madrid derby of the year, seemed well-equipped to make something happen – perhaps even continue that run. Atleti were an unpredictable shambles of a side, a summer spending spree leading to mid-table irrelevance (albeit in a small sample size). Madrid were in fine form. Kylian Mbappe was scoring for fun. Arda Guler looked a wonderful fit under Alonso. All of the pieces were in place here. 

That prediction aged like milk. Madrid were woeful against their crosstown rivals, a self-inflicted mess of disastrous defending and lack of effort in central areas, leading to a comprehensive 5-2 defeat. And in truth, it really could have been more. 

It all leaves Madrid searching for answers a bit. They have leaned heavily on Mbappe thus far, but also looked really rather good as a unit. However, as soon as they faced a team that likes to disrupt, they crumbled. And that's the bigger worry. Madrid derbies are testy things, full of hard tackles and fierce individual duels. 

And under real pressure for the first time this season, Los Blancos collapsed, meaning Alonso has had his rude awakening at Real. Now the new boss has to figure out how to react, maybe even rebuild, and prepare for more stern challenges that lie ahead. This job is never easy. But Alonso now knows just how hard it can be. 

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Early warning signs

  Some will tell you that they could have seen this coming. Madrid's first real test under Alonso, arguably, came earlier this summer. Whether Madrid truly to win the Club World Cup is up for debate. But they certainly approached the transfer window like they wanted to. 

  A glut of new arrivals showed up in America for the tournament, and Alonso was the man tasked with piecing them all together – despite having less than two weeks as actual manager of the club.

  They looked beleaguered in the group stage, and when it came down to the big names, they were miles off the pace. Madrid were battered by somehow-not-champions PSG in the semi-final, and, in truth, never appeared remotely capable of turning that result around. Alonso claimed after the game that the loss was the final match of the previous season, and by no means an indication as to how things might look going forward.

  "At the moment, we need a proper break. This is not the beginning of next year, this is just the end of this season," he said after the defeat.

  And there's some sense to that. Los Blancos endured a disastrous 2024-25 campaign. The Club World Cup felt like a bit of a wash. Sure, the loss stung, but it was perhaps a chance to refresh – not an indictment on the strength of the side. Well, so much for that idea…

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  Getting the XI wrong

  Atleti are not as good as PSG, but they certainly exposed the same weaknesses in Madrid's team. 

  The first, and most obvious problem that Alonso will repeatedly face here is the lack of balance in the side. For the first time this season, the manager started Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham together. It's a dangerous thing, trying to get all three into the same side. Say what you want about tactical adjustments and positional play, one fact is simple: the trio don't quite click together on either side of the ball.

  Yes, there were some moments of individual magic, but when Los Blancos lost the ball, the results were calamitous. It was laughably easy to see how Atletico might attack. Mbappe doesn't like to run. Vinicius and Bellingham don't either. As soon as Los Rojiblancos counter, they are playing against eight, taking on a remarkably disorganised unit immediately. And although set-pieces proved to be their ultimate undoing, all of the moves started from direct vertical counters. 

  It was a familiar story, the way Madrid have been attacked by opponents for 12 months now. Alonso simply fell into the same trap as his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti in the Italian's final year at the Santiago Bernabeu.

• Getty
  

  Leaning on Mbappe

  And that won't be easy to counter. In all likelihood, one of Bellingham or Vinicius will need to be benched – especially in the big games. Madrid's remedy to that – or, at least, their method for picking up results – is to lean on their stars. And in Mbappe, they have arguably the best forward in the world. 

  The Frenchman has been in electric form to start the campaign. Alonso seems to have won him over somehow, encouraging him to play in a more central role, and simply getting better consistent showings out of the team's talisman. Against the lesser sides, that helped paper over some cracks. Madrid haven't been excellent to start the season, but Mbappe's penchant for finding the net has ensured that some of the shortcomings – and there are a fair few – haven't proven fatal. 

  However, against a far more organised Atleti, he couldn't play hero-ball. Sure, he scored a wonderful goal – a clinical dart in behind and finish. But that alone could not save a Madrid team that actively struggled. 

  Mbappe's reluctance to defend was also illustrated. Ancelotti, the great vibes guy who was able to lay down the law in a dressing room full of egos, could never solve that conundrum in the big games. Thus far, Alonso hasn't, either. That goal was lovely for the highlight reel. Substantively, though, it meant little.

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  A midfield imbalance

  The midfield could also do with some scrutiny here. Thus far, Alonso has stuck with a familiar formula: a trio of Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and one other (usually Arda Guler as a No.10). It has worked well enough. But against Atleti, who simply packed the middle of the pitch, it was underwhelming. 

  There are a number of reasons why. A lot of them surround a certain Englishman who was regarded as a Ballon d'Or candidate not 12 months ago. 

  Bellingham isn't lazy per se. But his work rate isn't excellent, either. He doesn't quite seem to know how to defend as a No.10. When the attackers don't press, Bellingham never knows when to run forward or drop deep. The result is a bit of lethargy, half-committed to defending. It leaves Madrid wide open. 

  Furthermore, for all of his undoubted talent, Bellingham clearly doesn't like it when things don't go his way. Too often, he throws his arms in the air in frustration, or doesn't track back at all. Atleti took advantage of that ill-discipline. 

  And then there is the form of Federico Valverde. Last year, he was immense, full of legs and providing some attacking quality, too. This year, he is still a willing runner, but looks a little slower. There were times, last season, where he could play two vs one. Not anymore.

Manchester City enter the 2025/26 season in transition.

After a challenging 2024/25 campaign that saw Pep Guardiola’s side finish third – 13 points behind champions Liverpool – the Etihad dressing room has experienced significant change.

Key figures including Ederson, Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and İlkay Gündoğan departed, leaving gaps both on and off the pitch.

To counter this, City acted quickly and decisively in the transfer market.

James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma arrived in goal, while reinforcements Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki all added depth outfield.

However, much of this summer’s wider transfer news has undoubtedly revolved around Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool.

Now, all eyes will be on Erling Haaland to see if he can match his Scandinavian counterpart.

After the international break, City prepare to host Manchester United before a trip to Arsenal. Two matches that will test Guardiola’s revamped squad.

Comparing Isak & Haaland

Isak, now at Liverpool following his British-record £125m transfer, leaves behind a remarkable – yet somewhat controversial – Newcastle legacy.

In 86 Premier League appearances, the 25-year-old scored 54 goals and registered ten assists.

Standing 1.92m, Isak is a modern striker who blends physical presence with pace, skill, and composure.

He scores with both feet, links up effectively with teammates, and moves intelligently in the attacking third to create space for others.

His versatility allows him to operate as a lone striker, part of a two-man setup, or even on the wing, while his work rate and defensive awareness make him a complete attacking contributor.

Haaland, Manchester City’s record-breaking forward since his 2022 arrival from Dortmund, shares some of these traits.

At 25 and 1.95m, the Norwegian has scored 88 Premier League goals with 17 assists in 100 appearances.

His record includes the most goals in a Premier League season (36 in 2022/23) and 42 goals in 43 games for Norway.

Haaland is a complete centre forward, using his strength, pace, and clever movement to score with either foot or his head. While he is effective at holding up the ball, concerns remain about his technical ability to link play.

Nonetheless, both strikers deliver elite statistical output.

Premier League – 2024/25

Isak

Haaland

Matches Played

34

31

Goals

23

22

Assists

6

3

Shots

95

104

Shots on Target

41

55

Source: FBref

In 2024/25, Isak recorded 29 goal involvements, 17.2 non-penalty expected goals, 19 non-penalty goals, 2.71 progressive carries per 90, and 2.88 progressive passes per 90.

Haaland produced 25 goal involvements, 18.8 non-penalty expected goals, 19 non-penalty goals, 0.79 progressive carries per 90, and 0.66 progressive passes per 90.

Their differences reflect style: Isak’s mobility and link-up play contrasts with Haaland’s dominant presence and finishing efficiency.

Both have been pivotal in modern Premier League systems, but the question remains whether other forwards elsewhere can offer more versatility than the pair, particularly in linking play and contributing across the front line.

How Julian Alvarez compares to Isak & Haaland

One forward who has demonstrated that versatility is just as important as raw scoring is Julian Alvarez.

The Argentine left Manchester City in search of regular first-team football, joining Atlético Madrid, and has thrived since.

Last season, he scored 29 goals and registered seven assists in all competitions, drawing praise from Argentine journalist Roy Nemer, who called him “the best forward in the world.”

Alvarez, 25, combines pace, strength, and composure, like Isak and Haaland, but offers additional dimensions. He can drop deep to link play, manoeuvre in tight spaces, and use his vision to create opportunities for teammates.

His dribbling and one-touch passing make him effective across the front line, while his tenacity off the ball enhances pressing and counter-pressing phases.

Statistically, Alvarez compares impressively with Isak and Haaland, as per FBref. Last season, he recorded 21 goal involvements, 13 non-penalty goals, 2.83 progressive carries per 90, and 3.30 progressive passes per 90.

His shot-creating actions per 90 (3.87) exceeded both Isak (3.01) and Haaland (2.34), while his progressive passing distance (95.1) highlighted his ability to link midfield and attack.

He also completed 25.7 passes per 90 at 74.2% accuracy, combining creative contribution with finishing. Unlike Isak and Haaland, Alvarez thrives in multiple attacking roles.

He can operate in a two-striker system, drop into the midfield to orchestrate play, or act as a wide forward capable of cutting inside.

This adaptability has helped him shine at Atlético Madrid and with Argentina, where he has scored 13 goals in 47 appearances.

In many ways, Alvarez illustrates the evolving profile of elite forwards: one who is not only a finisher but also a team player, capable of creating, linking, and defending.

While Isak’s and Haaland’s output in the Premier League has been exceptional, Alvarez offers a reminder that versatility and movement can sometimes be as valuable as raw goalscoring.

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Slot with Liverpool selection headaches before Burnley

The Premier League champions make the trip to Burnley on Sunday afternoon, looking for a more serene victory than their last away game at Newcastle United last month.

For Arne Slot, there are various decisions that need to be made in terms of Liverpool’s starting lineup, with Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley battling to be at right-back. It could be that Dominik Szobosozlai is retained in that position, though.

That would also allow Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz to continue in midfield, as was the case in the 1-0 win at home to Arsenal, but the main headache for Slot is in attack. New record signing Alexander Isak is raring to go after his move from Newcastle, but his only minutes of the season came in a cameo for Sweden in midweek, so Hugo Ekitike could once again lead the line for Liverpool.

Away from on-pitch matters, the likes of Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards continue to work on future signings for the Reds, and one big talent has now been linked with a move to Anfield.

Liverpool have scouted "very promising" £43m gem

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Not much is understandably known about Robinho Jnr, but he has already made three appearances for Santos’ first team, which is no mean feat at the age of just 17.

The Brazil Under-20 international reportedly has a £43m release clause, highlighting his ability at such a young age, and he has been described as “very promising” by Rising Stars XI.

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Robinho Jnr could be the next exciting South American star through the door at Anfield, growing into a superb left-sided option – he can play centrally and on the right, too – but he is clearly still a work in progress and a move to Liverpool is far from a given yet.

This season feels like it could be a brutal one for West Ham United.

The board have made a few good signings, such as Mads Hermansen and El Hadji Malick Diouf, but with Callum Wilson being their only attacking signing, it feels like they have left themselves short.

Moreover, it now looks almost certain that Edson Alvarez will be leaving the London Stadium before the window shuts, leaving the squad even lighter on quality.

Fortunately, reports have linked the club to a midfield talent who’d be a brilliant addition to the side and a significant upgrade on the Mexican.

West Ham target Alvarez upgrade

When West Ham signed Alvarez from Ajax in the summer of 2023, there was a lot of understandable excitement around the deal.

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After all, the Mexican international won two league titles with the Amsterdam outfit and left with 147 appearances under his belt.

However, instead of coming in and making up for the loss of Declan Rice, the 27-year-old has struggled with the pace and intensity of English football, and now looks like he could leave the club this summer, either on loan or permanently.

Interestingly, the East Londoners are now being linked with an up-and-coming talent who could come in and replace Alvarez.

At least that is according to a recent report from Sky Sports’ Tim Vickery, who has claimed that West Ham are interested in Andrey Santos.

It’s not the first time the Hammers have been credited with an interest in the exciting Brazilian, as reports from earlier this month claimed that they have already seen an offer of around £42m rejected.

It remains to be seen whether this is a transfer that could happen, but if there is any chance at all, West Ham have to take it, as Santos would be an excellent signing and a massive upgrade on Alvarez.

How Santos compares to Alvarez

So, the first thing to point out is that while Santos is certainly a midfielder who can get forward and attack, and is more inclined to do so compared to Alvarez, he has still spent almost half of his playing career in the six position.

Moreover, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has gone as far as calling him a “duel monster” for the tenacious way he wins the ball off opposition players and argues that this, combined with his “top tackling ability”, helps to make him “brilliant at screening the backline.”

In other words, the 21-year-old is no pushover when it comes to the defensive side of playing in the middle of the park.

With that, how do the pair stack up against one another when we take a look under the hood, at their underlying numbers?

Unfortunately for the Mexican international, it’s an incredibly one-sided affair, as the former Vasco da Gama gem outperforms him in practically every relevant metric, including things like expected and actual non-penalty goals, progressive carries, shot and goal-creating actions, tackles, blocks, interceptions and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.27

0.06

Non-Penalty G+As

0.41

0.05

Progressive Carries

4.70

4.31

Progressive Passes

0.91

1.22

Shots

1.45

0.61

Shots on Target

0.50

0.05

Passing Accuracy

88.2%

85.8%

Key Passes

0.85

0.61

Shot-Creating Actions

1.77

1.42

Goal-Creating Actions

0.19

0.10

Tackles Won

2.33

1.37

Blocks

1.45

1.17

Interceptions

1.01

0.91

Ball Recoveries

5.93

4.47

These numbers help to paint the picture of an all-action midfielder who is dynamic and dangerous in attack, but also robust and solid enough in defence.

Finally, on top of everything else, the Blues ace is able to transform his impressive attacking numbers into real output.

In 34 appearances for Strasbourg last season, the 21-year-old phenom scored 11 goals and provided five assists and was praised by Mattinson for the way he “crashes the box.”

Ultimately, while it might require a massive fee, West Ham should be going all out to sign Santos this summer, as not only would he be a huge upgrade on Alvarez, but he’d help elevate the entire team.

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