Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish has tipped Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart to finish his long and distinguished career at Parkhead.
The Lowdown: Hart excelling at Celtic
The 35-year-old joined the Hoops from Tottenham last summer, with Ange Postecoglou seeing him as someone who could aid their Scottish Premiership charge.
Hart has proven to be a superb signing to date, starting 32 league matches and playing a key role in his side topping the table late in the campaign.
The former England stopper’s current Celtic deal expires in the summer of 2024 and it looks likely that he will stay until at least that point.
Speaking to Football Insider, reacting to news from a Celtic source that the Hoops are on the hunt for a new shot-stopper signing, McLeish claimed that Hart could now see out the rest of his career at Parkhead, given the manner in which he has slotted in there:
“I don’t think he needs the competition. It’s good for the club, of course, but the mentality of Joe Hart means he won’t be affected by someone coming in.
“He’ll be playing for Celtic until he decides to hang his boots up. It’s a big club. Not many come bigger in the world, and the challenge of playing for such a big club has revitalised him. They’ve helped him find his mojo again.
“He’s got a touch of the Allan McGregor genes about him, and I can see him seeing out his career in Scotland.”
The Verdict: Best for all parties
The idea of Hart remaining at Celtic until he calls it a day feels like a no-brainer for all parties, with the Englishman still a force between the sticks, having once been hailed as ‘one of the best goalkeepers in the world’ by legend Gianluigi Buffon.
At 35, he is still far from done as a ‘keeper and his influence for the Hoops can continue to shine through beyond this season, with Buffon himself still playing at the age of 44.
Hart seems to have found a great level of form and confidence again, having lost his way a little in the Premier League, and Postecoglou will be delighted with the impact he has made.
In other news, a financial expert has dropped a key Celtic claim. Read more here.
Liverpool are interested in signing “entertaining” Napoli winger Hirving Lozano this summer amid reports that Napoli are winning to sell the player.
Reports from Italy (via El Futbolero) said the Reds are ‘monitoring’ the situation of the winger with a view to making a move for him ahead of next season.
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Reports in La Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Get Italian Football News) also confirm that Lozano could be sold and that the Napoli president is willing to listen to offers for him. He is rated at £31.5m but is contracted at the club for another two seasons so might fetch a higher fee.
The 26-year-old joined the Italian side in 2019 from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven and has impressed greatly since. He’s made 113 appearances for the club in total and been directly involved in 39 goals.
He told Mexican TV last year that he would like to play for a club “stronger” than Napoli with it seeming as though he has ambitions to win more silverware. However, this season Napoli have been in a title race and currently sit third in Serie A just five points off the top of the table Milan.
Lozano has played a key part in that success, which is why he’s attracted admirers across Europe. With Napoli having now qualified for next season’s Champions League he could be tempted to stick with what he knows, but the prospect of moving to Liverpool would be hard to turn down.
One player he could turn out to be like is Luis Diaz. Similarly to Lozano, the Columbian was relatively unknown before his move to Liverpool but has since proven more than capable of stepping up to the plate. If Lozano moved to Anfield and was able to do the same, then he would be a great signing for Klopp.
If you compare both players, their statistics read pretty similarly, suggesting precisely why he’s been described as “unplayable” when playing for his country.
Lozano has a higher number of goal creating actions per 90 minutes at 0.65 compared to Diaz’s 0.34, which proves his creative ability. However, the Colombian has a higher number of goals per shot on target at 0.45 compared to 0.26.
Ultimately if Lozano signed he would only improve under a coach as good as Klopp, and his ability to create goals alongside Diaz who can score, could see a greater partnership form.
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Manchester City have seen numerous players join the club since Pep Guardiola was appointed as their manager back in 2016.
One of Guardiola’s earliest recruits for the Manchester club was midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who joined the side from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £20m in the summer of 2016.
Since then, the German has gone on to make 249 appearances in a City shirt across all competitions.
In those appearances, the midfielder has scored 47 goals and delivered 33 assists along the way.
To further highlight how prominent the World Cup winner has been for City over the past few years, only Raheem Sterling (288) and Kevin De Bruyne (260) have made more appearances for the club under Guardiola than Gundogan (248).
With the 31-year-old’s current contract at the Etihad Stadium set to expire in the summer of 2023, the midfielder has already spoken about his potential next career step, with a move to America or Turkey in mind.
Taking this into account, the upcoming summer transfer window could give the Citizens an ideal opportunity to bring in a potential long-term replacement for their German midfield star.
Having been recently linked with a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, he could well be the right figure to come in and fill Gundogan’s boots once he calls time on his spell with City.
Since joining the Spanish club back in 2019 from Ajax for a fee of £65m, the Dutchman has gone on to make 137 appearances, scoring 13 goals and delivering 17 assists in the process.
Labelled as a “dynamic” player in the past by his current manager Xavi, the La Liga giants have reportedly put a price tag of £58m on their midfield talent.
To compare him with Gundogan from their individual domestic seasons, while De Jong may not have as many attempts on goal as the City star, he has a higher percentage of shots on target (41.2%) than him (31.9%), meaning he is more clinical in front of goal.
In terms of his passing, the Dutchman also trumps Gundogan with a higher percentage of passes completed.
While De Jong has five more league games under his belt than the German, from a defensive point of view, he’s made more tackles, pressures, blocks, interceptions and clearances this term.
Taking all of this into account, not only could City and Guardiola find their ideal heir for Gundogan with the 24-year-old, but they may also blow the Etihad faithful away by securing the Barcelona star’s signature this summer.
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With Rangers currently fourth in the Scottish Premiership and rock-bottom of the gigantic Europa League table, they need wins and fast.
On Saturday, Danny Röhl’s side will go in search of a fourth successive league victory when last-placed Livingston visit Ibrox.
This is followed by a European clash with Braga and, considering the Gers are currently pointless halfway through the league phase, they really could do with a victory over the Archbishops from Northern Portugal.
However, potentially dealing with something of a defensive injury crisis ahead of Saturday’s game, how could Röhl combat his new injury problems?
Rangers' defensive injury crisis
The news any club supporter and indeed manager fears during an international break is reports that their players may have suffered an injury while away with their countries, but this may be exactly the reality Rangers are facing.
First, ahead of Scotland’s historic World Cup qualifying victory over Denmark at Hampden on Tuesday, mere minutes before kick-off, centre-back John Souttar withdrew from the starting lineup after suffering an injury during the warm-up.
The extent of the injury is currently unknown, but it is always a concern when it comes to Souttar, considering he has ruptured both anterior cruciate ligaments in the past.
This season though, he has been a near-ever-present in Rangers’ back line, starting 23 of the Gers’ 24 matches, rested against Alloa, as well as ten of Scotland’s last 11 competitive fixtures prior to Tuesday night.
Later that day, in the middle of the night UK time, further bad news emerged given that Derek Cornelius was withdrawn just 33 minutes into Canada’s 2-0 friendly victory over Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale.
Since arriving on loan from Marseille, the 27-year-old has cemented himself as a key figure, especially since Röhl has switched to a back three, given the scarcity of alternative centre-back options.
Similar to Souttar, it is not yet publicly known if Cornelius will be available for the weekend, but this has to be a concern.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Nevertheless, given bottom of the table Livingston are the visitors to Ibrox, neither should be risked if not 100% fit, hence why Röhl should entrust his forgotten “colossus” with a start.
How Rangers can solve their defensive injury problems
Of Rangers’ 13 new recruits during the summer, Emmanuel Fernandez is often forgotten and overlooked by supporters.
The 6 foot 4 central defender arrived from Peterborough United in July, having bounced around the lower division in England, representing non-league clubs including Sheppey United and Spalding United.
This move north of the border was supposed to be the 24-year-old’s big breakthrough, but he’s so far been more of a lesser-spotted species than an integral figure.
Fernandez scored on debut against Alloa Athletic, starting at St Mirren the following weekend, but has seen just one minute of action since 24 August, introduced late during the last-gasp, hard-fought victory over Hibernian at Easter Road, an unused substitute on 11 occasions.
This is despite the fact that the Englishman boasted impressive statistics in EFL League One last season, as the table below documents.
Goals
5
2nd
Tackles *
1.24
63rd
Interceptions *
0.91
46th
Clearances *
6.83
19th
Passing accuracy %
85.35%
20th
Passes *
65.93
5th
Aerial duels won *
4
27th
Aerial duels won %
62.24
25th
Ground duels won *
2.87
35th
Note: rankings are defenders only.
These performances for Posh last season led to Peterborough Chairman Darragh MacAnthony describing the central defender as a “colossus”, also noting that he is a “gentle giant” as well as a “great organiser and talker”.
His most spectacular moment came when he scored an astonishing long-range goal against Exeter City.
Also worth highlighting is that, according to Global Football Rankings, EFL League One is the 41st strongest division in the world, just eight places below the Scottish Premiership, suggesting Fernandez would be more than good enough to start, particularly against Livingston at home.
With fixtures coming thick and fast, and a must-win European match against Braga right around the corner, Röhl surely cannot risk either Souttar or Cornelius exacerbating their injury issues, emphasising that he has to trust Fernandez to start as the middle man in his back three at the weekend.
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Liverpool’s summer transfer window was defined by big spending, but also by letting some of their most promising youth talent depart.
While the Anfield hierarchy pursued marquee signings such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Hugo Ekitike, a quieter narrative was simultaneously unfolding.
Several academy graduates, once thought of as future first-team players, left the club in search of regular gametime and development opportunities that Liverpool could not immediately guarantee.
Harvey Elliot went on loan to Aston Villa with a £35m obligation next summer, Jarell Quansah moved to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m, and Ben Doak joined Bournemouth for £25m.
These departures, while financially reasonable, highlight the ongoing challenge Liverpool face in balancing youth development with immediate competitiveness.
Sometimes, trusting homegrown talent pays dividends, as 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha demonstrated with his 100th-minute winner on Premier League debut against Newcastle, reminding the club of the potential locked away in its academy.
For one player, however, leaving Liverpool has opened the door to a role that is allowing him to flourish at one of the European elite in a role that had long been earmarked for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, who ultimately moved to Arsenal for £60m.
The lesson for Liverpool's youth talent
Liverpool’s history of allowing talented youngsters to leave and succeed elsewhere is not new.
Raheem Sterling’s departure is one of the most notable examples.
Former Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling.
Sterling left Anfield in 2015 for Manchester City at just 20 years old in a £44m deal, making him the most expensive English player at the time.
His career trajectory underlines the risks of selling promising youth too early, even at a premium.
Sterling went on to score 131 goals and register 86 assists in 339 appearances for City, winning four Premier League titles and earning inclusion in the 2018/19 PFA Team of the Year.
Sterling’s success serves as a benchmark for evaluating the club’s current youth departures which include the likes of Dominic Solanke, Neco Williams and most recently Jarell Quansah.
Quansah, however, was not the only Kirkby graduate to flee Merseyside for Europe in the summer of 2025.
Where Are They Now
Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.
From Liverpool to Lyon
Tyler Morton, a 22-year-old local talent, joined Liverpool’s academy at just seven years old.
After progressing through the ranks, he experienced loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and Hull City before making his Premier League debut against Arsenal and his Champions League bow against Porto.
During his time at Liverpool, Morton made 14 appearances in all competitions, gaining valuable experience in a squad filled with international stars, while also contributing to the U21 European Championship victory over the summer.
This summer, Morton left Liverpool for Lyon in a £15m deal, a move that has allowed him to start playing consistently in Ligue 1 as a deep-lying playmaker.
This role mirrors the one Martin Zubimendi excelled at in La Liga before his £60m transfer to Arsenal, making Morton’s progression particularly noteworthy.
Liverpool had a bid for the Spain international rejected last summer, even though they may have already have their equivalent in the squad. Ultimately, Zubimendi went elsewhere, and Liverpool lost one of their most promising academy graduates too.
Regardless, Lyon and Morton have started the season strongly, winning three games from three, with the ex-Liverpool midfielder earning praise for his performances.
Against Metz, he played the full 90 minutes, recorded 84 touches, completed 63 of 69 passes (91%), delivered four key passes, three accurate crosses, four long balls – all successfully executed – and won four ground duels.
Bence Bocsák described Morton as a “quality midfielder,” highlighting the attributes Liverpool’s coaching staff have long admired, while Jurgen Klopp labelled him as an “outstanding” player.
His ability to control tempo, execute progressive passes, and contribute defensively makes him a versatile asset, one that Liverpool could have nurtured as in-house but instead allowed to blossom elsewhere.
Statistically, Morton’s style closely mirrors the deep-lying playmaking role that Zubimendi has excelled in.
Matches Played
36
Goals
2
Assists
1
Progressive Carries
38
Progressive Passes
195
Both operate in the transitional midfield zone, blending defensive awareness with progressive passing and the vision to influence play across the pitch.
While Zubimendi’s high-profile switch made headlines, Morton’s development in Lyon represents a potentially missed opportunity for Liverpool to cultivate a similar talent internally.
The youngser’s exit also underscores a recurring theme at Anfield and within the wider Premier League.
Clubs are increasingly letting promising youngsters leave only to see them thrive elsewhere.
Sterling set the precedent; Morton is now another example of Liverpool’s academy producing talent that, for reasons ranging from tactical fit to financial prudence, finds success beyond Merseyside.
While investing in high-profile signings is essential for immediate results, the club continues to face the delicate task of integrating its academy graduates into a star-studded first team.
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Already thinking about the January transfer window, Manchester United are now reportedly eyeing a fresh move to sign an alternative midfielder to Carlos Baleba.
Man Utd complete late Lammens deal
After much deliberation over whether to sign the Belgian or Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, Manchester United finally settled on Senne Lammens in a deadline-day deal for Ruben Amorim. Finally putting their goalkeeper struggles behind them, the Red Devils will be desperate for the 23-year-old to hit the ground running at Old Trafford.
After putting pen to paper, the new shot-stopper told United’s official website: “I am extremely proud to be joining Manchester United; it is a real dream come true. The past few years have been an amazing journey; it’s now ended in an incredible destination and hopefully the beginning of something special.
“You can feel the positive atmosphere that is being created here, and I know that I can make a real impact at the club in the coming years. I cannot wait to get to know my team-mates and begin working with Ruben and the coaching staff. This is the perfect place to keep developing, grow together with this exciting team and achieve my career objectives.”
To say that United needed Lammens’ arrival would also be quite an understatement. Andre Onana’s performance against Grimsby Town as United suffered a shock exit in the Carabao Cup was enough for INEOS to step up their search, whilst Altay Bayindir also failed to impress when offered starting opportunities.
Starts
30
34
Save Percentage
81.4%
69%
Clean Sheets
7
9
Saves P90
4.23
2.59
Even after welcoming Lammens, however, Manchester United are still not satisfied on the transfer front and have already reportedly turned their focus towards another Belgian talent for January.
Man Utd eyeing Romeo Lavia move
According to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, Manchester United are now eyeing a move to sign Romeo Lavia from Chelsea in the January transfer window. The Red Devils’ search for a midfielder was a fairly open secret during the summer window, but they were ultimately priced out of a move for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba.
There’s no guarantee that the African’s price tag changes anytime soon, either, and that could force those at Old Trafford to assess their options. If that does prove to be the case, then Lavia would be an ideal option to turn to in January.
The Chelsea midfielder has been riddled with injuries since arriving at Stamford Bridge, but his quality has been clear every time that he has been fit and firing. Now that Enzo Maresca’s midfield is settled, though, he may struggle for starts and could need Manchester United just as much as they need him.
Dubbed an “elite” prospect by scout Jacek Kulig, Manchester United should take full advantage of Lavia’s Chelsea woes and swoop in when January arrives.
Tottenham Hotspur have a new manager at the helm in Thomas Frank, though he could now have a decision to make on one of his key stars, according to a report.
Tottenham make Tel second signing under Frank
There were plenty of mixed opinions when Ange Postecoglou was relieved of his duties at Tottenham. He delivered on his promise to bring a trophy to North London, but Daniel Levy couldn’t look past the Lilywhites’ dismal form in the top flight.
Frank has since been appointed and arrives as a revered figure among many of his Premier League peers. The former Brentford boss released an emotional statement after swapping Hounslow for N17 as he gets to work ahead of pre-season.
He stated: “I want to extend my profound gratitude to the club for giving me the chance to pursue my dreams and for everyone involved who made the journey such a memorable one.
“For my family and I, it has been a privilege to be allowed to be part of such a special community – it’s an experience and adventure that we will cherish for life. So, thank you.”
Mathys Tel has been announced as a permanent Tottenham star and has signed until 2031, becoming an early signal of the former Brentford man’s transfer intent. Kevin Danso has also joined after his loan spell from RC Lens.
Looking to tempt one of his old flames to work together again, Spurs boss Frank is targeting a move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, who has reportedly changed his stance on potentially swapping the Gtech Community Stadium for Manchester United amid recent talks.
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Jadon Sancho has also been linked with a surprise switch to Spurs. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if the Red Devils would be willing to deal with a direct Premier League rival after his spell at Chelsea.
Making inroads, Frank has now been left with a crucial decision to make after a big-money proposal came to light for one of his established stars.
Tottenham star Son Heung-min has offer to join Fenerbahce
According to reports in Spain, Fenerbahce have tabled a big-money proposal to Tottenham icon Son Heung-min that could see the South Korea international earn around £195,000 per week in Istanbul.
The outlet suggests that a deal between all parties is ‘very close’ despite nothing being fully set in stone, which could mark the end of an era for the 32-year-old after lifting the Europa League trophy last month following a decade-long wait for silverware.
Son Hueng-min – the end of an era at Tottenham Hotspur?
Appearances
454
Goals
173
Assists
101
Trophies won
UEFA Europa League
Admittedly, he did wane during a difficult campaign on a week-to-week basis for the Lilywhites, though he still managed to register 11 goals in 12 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions.
From a personal perspective, Son bowing out with a winners’ medal in-hand would be the perfect way to depart, even if his exit would be an emotional one following his excellent ten years in North London.
Manchester United have now thundered into the race for a “world-class” £84m forward, having expressed a concrete interest in securing his signature in the summer, according to a report.
Man Utd set sights on winger to replace Garnacho
While Man United managed to sign off the 2024-25 campaign on a high note, securing a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford, the Europa League final defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao will remain fresh in the memory for supporters.
As such, it is difficult to be too positive ahead of the summer, with the Red Devils’ summer transfer plans likely to be affected by the lack of Champions League football, and Gary Neville has expressed concerns they may choose to cash-in on some of their young players to raise funds.
Neville said: “I know it’s become a thing now whereby people sell players from their academy to facilitate PSR and financial fair play, but if Manchester United start to sell academy players to raise funds to bring in other players, I think that’s the thin end of the wedge.
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Alejandro Garnacho is one of the youth products that could be on his way out, with Arsenal now being contacted over the possibility of signing the Argentine, and if the 20-year-old does end up being sold, it is likely a replacement will be necessary.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Man United may now have just the player in mind, having thundered into the race for AC Milan star Rafael Leao, who is looking increasingly likely to exit the San Siro this summer, with a £84m fee being touted.
AC Milan's RafaelLeaobefore the match
United have now registered a concrete interest in signing Leao, who could be on his way out due to the lack of European football on offer at Milan, with Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Barcelona also keen.
"World-class" Leao could be Garnacho upgrade
It is unclear whether the 25-year-old would be interested in a move to Old Trafford, given that Ruben Amorim’s side will not be playing in Europe next season either, but the allure of playing for one of the world’s biggest clubs could be tempting for the winger.
Should the Red Devils manage to get a deal over the line, there are plenty of signs he could be an upgrade on Garnacho at left-wing, having outperformed the starlet across a number of key statistics for wingers over the past year. Leao also loves current Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes, having called him a “maestro” in the past while on international duty together.
Statistic per 90
Rafael Leao
Alejandro Garnacho
Non-penalty goals
0.32
0.20
Assists
0.26
0.17
Successful take-ons
2.83
1.31
Having also been lauded as “world-class” by football writer Carlo Garganese in the past, Leao could be a fantastic signing for Man United this summer, but a move to Old Trafford could be a tough sell after the Europa League final defeat.
Arsenal are now leading the race for an “incredible” forward, who could be an ideal fit for Mikel Arteta’s style of play, according to a report.
Gunners set to strengthen attacking options
There have been widespread calls for the Gunners to sign a striker for quite some time, and their reluctance to do so has arguably been costly to their pursuit of the Premier League title and a first-ever Champions League this season.
Arteta was forced to use Mikel Merino in a makeshift striker role in both legs of the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, given that Kai Havertz has been sidelined since February, with the French side ultimately emerging 3-1 winners on aggregate.
The striker shortlist consists of a number of options, with Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins of interest, while an opening offer has been submitted for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.
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Arteta is clearly determined to bring in a new striker this summer, and the manager is also keen to strengthen out wide, given that Gabriel Martinelli has arguably fallen short of expectations this season.
According to a report from Spain, Arsenal are now leading the race for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, but he will not come cheap, with the German club setting an asking price of around €65m (£55m).
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittensin action with Lille's Bafode Diakite
Gittens is viewed as an ideal fit for Arteta’s style of play, with the winger now being identified as the perfect candidate to bolster the manager’s wide options, and talks could be stepped up in the coming weeks.
Dortmund could be willing to sanction a departure, should they receive an attractive offer, but there are some doubts over whether he would be able to adapt to life in the Premier League…
"Incredible" Gittens catching the eye in Germany
The report states the Englishman’s lack of consistency could be viewed as an issue, having scored just one Bundesliga goal in 2025, but there are some signs he could be an excellent addition for Arsenal this summer.
While the 20-year-old has not been at his best as of late, a record of 12 goals and five assists in 46 games is impressive, given his age, while he has also caught the eye with his dribbling ability over the past year, ranking in the top 1% for successful take-ons.
Average per 90
vs other wingers in big 5 leagues
Non-penalty goals
0.40 (83rd percentile)
Progressive carries
5.55 (92nd percentile)
Successful take-ons
3.62 (99th percentile)
The London-born winger shouldn’t be expected to be the finished article just yet, given his age, and the level of some of his performances for Dortmund this season indicate a £55m outlay could be justified.
Lauded as “incredible” by reporter Alex Howell, Gittens clearly has a lot of potential, so it is exciting news that Arsenal are in pole position for his signature.
In search of boosting their frontline once again, Chelsea chiefs are now reportedly ready to match the £60m asking price of one impressive forward having already made their first approach for his signature.
Chelsea's UCL push going down to the wire
Whilst there would have been plenty of relief around Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Brentford in midweek, Chelsea still have it all to do in the race to secure Champions League qualification. Sat fifth on goal difference and in the last remaining Champions League spot, the Blues may need to win all four of their remaining games to finish above the chasing pack of Forest and Aston Villa.
With Premier League champions Liverpool to face this weekend too, it doesn’t get any easier for Chelsea who may be hoping to come up against a side in celebration rather than the ruthless Reds that English football has become accustomed to this season.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca recently had his say on the Champions League race, telling reporters: “How many times in the last two years has Chelsea been in the Champions League [places]? Zero.
“How many times this season? Almost all season. It is an improvement or not? It is already an improvement because we spend all season there. Now, we are going to try our best to finish there no doubt.
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“We want to finish there, no doubt. We are happy to finish there, yes. Is it enough? No, because we want to compete for titles. But compared to the past two years, I think it is quite clear that there is an improvement. Now, if you want to see it, you see it. If you don’t want to see it, you don’t see it. It depends which way. I see it.”
Meanwhile, should the London club go on and confirm their place among Europe’s elite this month, they could be well placed to welcome an impressive Premier League rival.
Chelsea ready to meet Watkins price tag
According to Football Transfers, Chelsea are now ready to match Ollie Watkins’ £60m valuation to welcome the Aston Villa striker this summer, having already made their first approach for his signature.
Watkins was, of course, at the centre of attention in January when Arsenal came calling. Unlike Chelsea, however, the Gunners were reluctant to meet Villa’s asking price and the England international therefore stayed put in the Midlands.
At 29 years old, the Villa star goes against BlueCo’s usual transfer route of young stars, but an established Premier League goalscorer could be exactly what Maresca’s side need if they are to improve this summer.
Starts
27
26
Goals
15
10
Assists
7
5
Expected Goals
14.5
12.2
Dubbed “amazing” by Villa boss Unai Emery earlier this season, Watkins’ numbers compared to Nicolas Jackson highlight the upgrade that he would instantly offer Chelsea and Maresca.