Former Tottenham star Christian Eriksen says Mousa Dembele is the best player he has played with, according to DR Sporten, and his opinion was shared by @TranSPURS.Â
Speaking to the Danish outlet via an Instagram Q&A, the midfielder went on to talk about a number of topics, including how he is coping with life in Italy during the pandemic, as well as playing in Serie A for Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan.
After being asked to give his opinion on his best teammate so far, Eriksen said: “It’s a tough one. I feel like I’ve been lucky in my career so far. But I have to say Mousa Dembele.”
The former Belgian international moved to White Hart Lane from Fulham for £17.1m back in the summer of 2012, going on to make over 240 appearances for Spurs, scoring 10 goals and creating 12 assists in all competitions. Dembele notably won the Eredivisie with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and his current market value is rated at just £3.15m per Transfermarkt.
He finally left North London last year for Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F, although it seems plenty of Lilywhites still have lots of fond memories about the 32-year-old.
Unsurprisingly, loads of fans gushed over Eriksen’s comments about Dembele, with one fan tweeting he is “irreplaceable,” and another adding he is “your favorite player’s favorite player.”
Scroll through the rest of the best reactions down below…
Tottenham fans, do you miss Mousa Dembele in the famous Lilywhites jersey? Join the discussion in the comments section!
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Sheffield Wednesday have now played ten matches under the stewardship of Garry Monk as he has them sitting just one point outside of a playoff position in what has been a fiercely competitive Championship season.
The Owls’ defeat at Blackburn Rovers last weekend was just their second league loss with the 40-year-old in charge, and with them facing Swansea City on Saturday, who are four points ahead of them in the table, it will provide a helpful barometer on their promotion hopes.
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Monk has done all of this with a squad that was built by ex-boss Steve Bruce and then caretaker Lee Bullen, so he will only be able to fully implement his ideas after the January transfer window.
And that appears to be the case with Wednesday being linked to Crawley Town striker Bez Lubala this week.
The 21-year-old has netted eight goals in 20 appearances for the League Two club this campaign having made the switch from Championship rivals Birmingham City in the summer, where Monk actually handed him his professional debut in April 2018.
As per this article from Football FanCast, Lubala has been described as having an ability to inject pace and energy into a game, which is something the Owls currently lack in the striking department.
His potential signing could spell the end for Sam Winnall, who has failed to take the chances granted to him since Monk’s arrival – scoring just one goal in four appearances.
The likes of Atdhe Nuhiu, with his colossal height, and Fernando Forestieri, with his ability to play the number ten role, means the 28-year-old is the most likely victim to make way for any additions in the attack.
Former manager Carlos Carvalhal signed Winnall in January 2017, but it just hasn’t worked out for him in south Yorkshire.
He has bagged five goals in 33 appearances and was faced with a loan spell at Derby County less than six months after his arrival.
Time is surely running out for the 5 foot 9 forward as January rapidly approaches.
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Jurgen Klopp has continued the mind games with Manchester City after stating that their performance at Anfield last season “was probably the biggest show of respect” he faced as a manager.
What did he say?
The German’s comments come not long after Pep Guardiola and Sadio Mane went back and forth about the claims of the Senegal international diving. Now, it seems the Liverpool boss wants to keep the ball rolling.
Klopp told Sky Sports: “In the last couple of years, we both gave a lot of respect for each other. City’s performance at Liverpool last season was probably the biggest show of respect one of my teams ever got. That’s how it is.
“They played differently to what they usually do – that’s true. But, that’s football. We all have to make a plan for one game, and in this specific case against one of the best sides in the world.
“We play at home, and last season we played a game at theirs where we lost by 11 millimetres otherwise the ball was in [John Stones’ clearance on the goal line] and it was another draw.
“I think that would have been deserved, so there are tight games and that’s how it is when high-quality teams face each other, so I expect another tight game.”
Close as it gets
As the two met at Anfield last season, both clubs were laying down a marker for an early title chase. The draw left both sides on 20 points after eight games, extending City’s winless run at Anfield to 15 years.
However, Riyad Mahrez had a glorious chance to snatch three points and surely alter the course of the upcoming season. The winger blazed over a penalty in the dying seconds of the game in a moment that saw City squander an opportunity to stamp their authority on the title race.
Now, this time around, things may be just as close. City have a growing injury list and are visiting the stadium where they never win. Last year, City had just 51% of the ball against the Reds, which in a Guardiola side, does show an awful lot of respect.
Later in the season, Stones’ clearance off the line was saved by millimetres at the Etihad, as the champions went onto win the title by a point.
It was a title race defined by the finest of fine margins and, despite the fact Liverpool could go nine-points clear this weekend, it looks like we could be set for a similar scenario this season.
Tottenham Hotspur have been named as a possible destination for a £25 million player by a foreign club chief, who suggests that a 2025 transfer to north London is indeed possible.
Spurs finish summer transfer window with four signings totaling £113m
Manager Ange Postecoglou, technical director Johan Lange and chairman Daniel Levy and their wider recruitment team strengthened the Spurs squad in a variety of key areas over the summer window, spending a total of around £113 million on four key additions.
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Timo Werner extended his loan deal with the Lilywhites to run through to the end of this Premier League season, with the new temporary agreement including a cheaper buy-option set at around £7.5 million.
After agreeing to keep the German, Spurs moved to sign 18-year-old Archie Gray from Leeds United for around £40 million, strengthening Postecoglou's midfield options with the arrival of an English sensation who starred at Elland Road in the Championship last season.
Their biggest marquee deal, a £65 million (including add-ons) move for striker Dominic Solanke, also provided Postecoglou with a proven Premier League goalscorer to lead the line this campaign – and he's expected to be a highly crucial player for them throughout 2024/2025.
Spurs ended their productive window with the swift and largely silent transfer of Wilson Odobert from Burnley, summing up their transfer business and not counting moves for youngsters Lucas Bergvall and South Korean wonderkid Min-hyeok Yang.
Timo Werner
RB Leipzig (loan)
Dominic Solanke
Bournemouth
Archie Gray
Leeds
Wilson Odobert
Burnley
Lucas Bergvall
Djurgarden
Min-hyeok Yang
Gangwon FC
Levy and Lange also offloaded a host of players in that time, including a deadline day exit for midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who completed a permanent switch back to former club Real Betis in La Liga.
Manu Fajardo names Tottenham as 2025 move for Johnny Cardoso
A condition of the agreement was first refusal on a potential future swoop for Betis star Johnny Cardoso. Spurs reportedly have opening rights to sign the 22-year-old USA international for around £25 million, which could be a possibility considering his impressive performances in the Spanish top flight lately.
Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso
Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo has publicly confirmed Tottenham's involvement in a potential future move for Cardoso, hinting that a summer move to N17 in 2025 is a possibility for the player.
"He has played an important role in terms of his rights for the future," said Fajardo in a Q&A with Marca this week. "Leaving next summer? It would depend on Tottenham and other offers that come in."
Last season, Cardoso averaged a match rating per 90 of 7.06 according to WhoScored, with the midfielder also bagging two assists and a goal in 17 league outings over 2023/2024.
Celtic are back in Scottish Premiership action this afternoon as they prepare to travel away from Glasgow to take on St Mirren in the lunchtime kick off.
The Hoops progressed through to the quarter-finals of the League Cup last weekend with a 3-1 win over Hibernian, who they had beaten 2-0 in the league the previous week.
Brendan Rodgers is now preparing his side for a third Premiership match of the season and will be hoping to continue the team's perfect start to the campaign.
One player who has enjoyed a near-perfect start to the season is forward Nicolas Kuhn and the manager has a decision to make over who starts up front as part of the attacking three with the German.
Nicolas Kuhn's brilliant start to the season
The former Rapid Wien star may have left supporters excited for the new campaign after his return of two goals and one assist in a 4-3 win over Premier League champions Manchester City in pre-season.
So far, he has lived up to the promise that his pre-season performances created with goal contributions in all three of his appearances for the Hoops.
He started the term with a deflected effort against Kilmarnock after a surging run inside from the right flank on the opening day of the Premiership season.
Kuhn followed that up with a tap-in from close-range and then a short pass to Callum McGregor for his screamer from distance in the 2-0 win over Hibernian in the division.
Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn.
The 24-year-old ace was also a key figure in the win over Hibs in the League Cup with another goal and an assist, taking his tally to three goals and two assists in three competitive games.
Who Celtic should start at striker alongside Kuhn
Rodgers must now unleash Adam Idah for his second full debut at Celtic, following his loan spell at Parkhead last term, after his permanent move from Norwich City was confirmed last week.
The Ireland international came on as a substitute against Hibernian in the League Cup, with Daizen Maeda having started the game as the lone striker.
However, Maeda should be moved into the left wing position to allow Idah to lead the line as the centre-forward, as he has the potential to be a lethal threat alongside Kuhn.
Appearances
15
Starts
5
Goals
8
Big chances missed
7
Conversion rate
27%
Minutes per goal
76
As you can see in the table above, the 6 foot 3 ace caught the eye with his clinical displays in the Premiership during his loan stint in Glasgow last term.
Rodgers went as far as to say that the striker was "immense" for Celtic and his statistics back that up, which is why he should be unleashed from the start alongside Kuhn.
In fact, the pair have already shown signs of being a fantastic duo for the Hoops as Idah set up the winger for his first goal for the club in the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen in February, with the forward perfectly weighting a lay-off for the German ace to fire a shot into the corner.
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With Kyogo Furuhashi dealing with a shoulder injury, Idah may be the only senior, natural, number nine available and should be handed his first start since joining on a permanent basis.
Chelsea’s summer spending spree continued with the purchase of João Félix, who signed from Atlético Madrid in a deal worth around £46.3m.
The deal means Enzo Maresca has now signed ten players during the current transfer window in a bid to get the Stamford Bridge side back into the Champions League via a top four Premier League finish this season.
The Italian has spent over £200m since taking charge, but might he have overpaid for several players? Most notably, Felix.
João Félix’s market value
The Portuguese star enjoyed a solid, if unspectacular season at Barcelona during 2023/24. The former Benfica sensation scored ten goals and grabbed six assists for the Catalan side, hardly jaw-dropping statistics.
Despite interest from Aston Villa, it was clear when the Blues emerged as potential suitors for his signature, there was only going to be one winner.
Felix spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Chelsea, scoring four times in 16 Premier League games for the club.
Has his form over the previous 18 months warranted a swoop for close to £50m? Especially when his market value, according to Transfermarkt, currently stands at €30m (£26m) at the time of writing.
Goals
7
Assists
3
Big chances created
6
Key passes per game
0.6
Successful dribbles per game
1
Total duels won per game
3.8
Unless his form picks up during his time at Chelsea, this value might not increase, indicating yet another player the club have overspent to sign.
One player who has seen his value soar since joining the Blues is Cole Palmer, and he is worth much more than Felix.
Cole Palmer’s market value at Chelsea
It was perhaps a surprise to everyone when Palmer made the move from City to Chelsea last summer for £40m considering he had scored in his first two matches of the season for the Etihad side.
City’s loss was Mauricio Pochettino’s gain, however, as the Englishman enjoyed a breakthrough season at the Blues. Not only did he score 27 times in all competitions, but the youngster grabbed a further 15 assists, taking no time to settle in at Stamford Bridge,
The £130k-per-week starlet ranked in the top 10% when compared to his positional peers in the Premier League last term for assists, total shots, shot-creating actions and progressive passes per 90, underlining just how impressive he was in what was a poor season for the club overall.
Palmer was dubbed “elegant” by talent scout Jacek Kulig in 2022, the former City gem is swiftly becoming one of the finest players in the top flight.
To reflect this, his market valuation has soared since he moved from Manchester to London. At the time of writing, Palmer is now worth €80m (£68m) according to Transfermarkt.
This figure is more than double that of Felix’s current valuation – as well as firmly ahead of the £46.3m transfer fee – indicating that Chelsea hit the jackpot by signing Palmer for £40m last year.
Chelsea star Cole Palmer
If he continues his current form, then this will surely continue to rise as the months go by, which could see the Blues secure a massive profit for him in the future.
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Manchester United appear to be in pole position to sign Adrien Rabiot this summer, with the Red Devils considered great favourites for his signature.
What’s the latest Man United transfer news?
Erik ten Hag seemingly wanted Rabiot at Old Trafford last summer ahead of his first season in charge. The United boss was reportedly on board with a transfer that would have been worth an initial £15m, however, a deal fell through and the midfielder remained at Juventus.
Rabiot was again linked with a move to Manchester prior to the New Year, and it seems as if he is still of interest to United officials after making 48 appearances for his current employers during the 2022/23 season, contributing to 17 goals.
Recent reports have suggested that a concrete offer has already been placed to the player, who is set to become a free agent in a matter of weeks when his Juventus contract officially expires.
Sport Witness have relayed a new update from Spanish outlet AS regarding Rabiot, citing Atletico Madrid’s interest in the player. However, they add that it is United who are the ‘great favourite’ to sign Rabiot at this moment in time in what appears to be a transfer boost for Ten Hag and co.
adrien-rabiot-juventus-man-united-transfers
Who is Adrien Rabiot?
Rabiot would provide Ten Hag with an experienced and versatile option in midfield, with the 28-year-old’s Transfermarkt valuation currently standing at €30m, so from a business perspective, a transfer appears to be a smart one.
He can play as a central, holding or left midfielder and was once labelled as a ‘complete player’ by legendary midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who said:
“He is a complete player, I have rarely seen someone so strong both physically and technically.
“He doesn’t even know the potential for improvement he can have, and we work on the mental side of things to make him understand that he is a champion. He is improving game after game.”
The Red Devils could lose a midfielder of their own this summer with Scott McTominay’s future up in the air, so Rabiot could be viewed as a solid addition after ending the campaign as Juventus' best-performing player, as per WhoScored.
He would bring a winning mentality to United’s squad alongside the likes of Raphael Varane and Casemiro who arrived from Real Madrid in recent years, with the midfielder winning an impressive 24 major honours during his career to date.
Rabiot has come off the back of a season where he has played plenty of football with Juventus, and who knows, his balance could make him a smart signing, possibly featuring alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes next year.
Glasow Rangers head coach Michael Beale is working hard to bolster his playing squad with a view to competing for major honours next term.
The Light Blues ended the 2022/23 campaign without a single trophy to show for their efforts and must rectify that by competing on all fronts next season.
To do that, the Gers could need to overhaul their roster and work has already started on that front as Kieran Dowell and Dujon Sterling are set to come through the door, whilst the likes of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos have already departed.
Another player who could be on his way out of Ibrox in the coming weeks is central midfielder Glen Kamara, who has been linked with an exit.
The Daily Mail recently reported that Galatasaray and Besiktas are both keen on the Finland international, who will be allowed to leave for a fee in the region of £6m this summer.
Who could replace Glen Kamara at Rangers?
Beale could brutally ditch the former Arsenal academy graduate by striking a deal to sign LAFC central midfielder Jose Cifuentes ahead of next season.
The Gers are reportedly eyeing the Colombia international and bringing the ace through the door at Ibrox in the coming weeks would allow Kamara to move the other way, as it would provide Beale with the dud's replacement.
Glasgow Rangers central midfielder Glen Kamara.
In the Scottish Premiership in 22/23, the 27-year-old averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.78 across 22 appearances, as well as just one key pass and one tackle and interception combined per match.
The Finnish midfielder, who lost 53% of his duels in the division, struggled throughout the campaign and his statistics in the league suggest that the lightweight failed to make much of an impact in or out of possession. He did not win the ball back for his side on a regular basis or provide his teammates with chances to score too often.
Cifuentes, meanwhile, has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.83 across 11 MLS appearances in 2023 and averaged 1.5 key passes and 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game in the middle of the park.
The Colombian dynamo, who LAFC general manager John Thorrington claimed "has absolutely everything he needs to succeed", has also averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.00 across seven outings in the CONCACAF Champions League this year and created four 'big chances' for his teammates in those clashes.
These statistics suggest that the ace, who is three years younger than the Gers dud, could be a big upgrade on Kamara due to his ability to cut out opposition attacks more frequently as well as being able to create more for others with his quality on the ball.
Leeds United's last stint in the Championship lasted far longer than anybody could have expected, as financial woes resigned the former Champions League semi-finalists to a shock relegation back in 2003/04.
The size and stature of the Whites led many to believe it would only be a short stint away from the Premier League, yet 16 years passed before Marcelo Bielsa finally guided them back to glory.
Now, three years on from that success, they are back where they started, once again seeking that same goal they earned in 2020.
That was a year where all the stars seemed to align at Elland Road, with the feelgood factor well and truly surging throughout the famous stadium.
With Kalvin Phillips conducting from deep, Liam Cooper dominating at the back and Patrick Bamford finishing up front, the spine of the team was unparalleled for that level.
pablo-hernandez-leeds-united-championship
And yet, there was arguably one name that stood out above all of them. Should the Yorkshire outfit seek to return to the top flight at the first time of asking, they must find someone willing to take on the mantle that Pablo Hernandez did all those years ago.
Whilst the first team squad is admittedly lacking in quality, one unproven name does stand out, with Georginio Rutter raw but retaining the silky qualities needed to emulate the heroic Spaniard.
Could Georginio Rutter copy Pablo Hernandez at Leeds United?
Having been signed in January for a club-record fee, Jesse Marsch was one of three managers who opted against throwing the Frenchman into the side, as he would make just one Premier League start.
Javi Gracia would later admit that the 21-year-old had been a signing for the future, noting:
"Not only Georginio but all the new players that are coming to a new country and a new competition need time, but not especially Georginio. He is working very well, a good character and I'm sure his future will be brilliant."
But, as they trundled towards the drop, this transfer risk was not rewarded. They had been relegated, and their record signing had played no part in preventing it.
Despite that, when compared to other forwards across Europe on FBref, it is clear to see the areas where the £70k-per-week youngster thrives.
Ranking in the top 7% for tackles and the top 2% for interceptions per 90 showcases his work rate; his position within the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90 outlines him as the "sharp" magician that writer Joe Donnohue once suggested he was; and the fact he sits in the top 19% for assists per 90 perhaps suggests he is far from a free-scoring forward, but rather instead a creative force to be reckoned with.
This could be akin to Hernandez, who also boasted that tireless nature along with his bag of tricks, as well as the tangible qualities that brought Leeds such success. During their promotion campaign, the 38-year-old recorded a 7.35 average rating, with his nine goals and nine assists giving way to 2.3 key passes and 1.3 tackles per game, via Sofascore.
Whoever is selected to be the next long-term successor to Sam Allardyce in Yorkshire must surely put Rutter at the heart of their plans, in an effort to emulate a former favourite to propel them back to the Premier League.
Burnley are eyeing a number of new signings this summer as they look to build on their Championship title win, with Ryan Kent one man linked with a move to Turf Moor.
Would Ryan Kent be a good signing for Burnley?
The Rangers man, who will depart Ibrox on a free transfer this summer when his contract expires, is an option for the likes of Burnley, Sheffield United, Everton and Leeds United according to TEAMtalk.
Since signing for the Scottish outfit permanently in 2019, the tricky winger has gone on to make 218 appearances in total, contributing 38 goals and 57 assists.
He was vital for the Gers in their run to the Europa League final last season, notching one goal and five assists, which earned him a spot in the team of the tournament, perhaps emphasising why he could be such a good pickup on a free transfer this summer.
Even in a campaign that has been widely perceived as a difficult one for Rangers, Kent has contributed three goals and eight assists in the league with a strong 7.31 rating from WhoScored for his performances.
Success in the Premier League will come for Burnley if they can add some quality in the final third, especially with the likes of Ashley Barnes and potentially Nathan Tella not being at Turf Moor next season.
Kompany may well be looking to spread out the goals in his squad once again as they did in the second tier this year and Kent's ability to find the back of the net, as well as his obvious eye for a pass, make him an ideal target.
Steven Gerrard was full of praise for the former Liverpool man during his time at Ibrox, saying:
"Ryan Kent has been top-class and hasn't let any noise affect him, he is scoring goals and looking very dangerous. He is really taking it to opposition teams."
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If he were to arrive at Turf Moor, his dribbling ability and impressive record in the final third could see him emulate Maxwel Cornet, who impressed in his one-year stay at Burnley having joined from Lyon.
The Ivorian winger registered nine goals and one assist in 26 Premier League appearances and won over the fans with his performances before a relegation release clause saw him join West Ham United last summer.
He would average 1.8 shots, 0.6 key passes and 0.5 dribbles per game, compared to Kent's return of 2.1 shots, 2.2 key passes, and 1.9 dribbles per game at Rangers, which suggests that the Englishman could even be an upgrade on Cornet at Turf Moor.
Therefore, Kompany and Burnley should act quickly to bring Kent to the Premier League on a free transfer, as the speedster could be a superb addition to the squad.