With the season approaching its business end, a lot of the attention will focus on the race to secure Champions League football. While the title race and relegation battle seem all but over, the makeup of England’s European contingent looks set to go to the wire.

As it stands, it is not set in stone how many English teams will be involved in next season’s Champions League, partly owing to the amount of Premier League teams still left in this year’s European competitions.

That can make the picture for the Champions League spots a rather murky one, but all will become clear in the end. Here, we take a look at the race and which clubs stand a chance of performing on the continental stage in 2025/26.

How many teams will England have in the 2025/26 Champions League?

At present, England will almost certainly have five teams in next season’s Champions League. In addition to the standard four places, English clubs’ performances this year mean that, bar a ridiculous set of results, they will earn a fifth slot via one of UEFA’s European Performance Spots.

With only two out of seven English clubs out at this late stage, they have the best coefficient value for the season, ahead of Spain, who are near-certainties for the other slot, as well as Italy and Germany.

There is a scenario where they have as many as seven in the Champions League alone, though that would rely on some bizarre combinations, one of which includes Spurs winning a trophy.

Joking aside, any team still alive at the quarter-final stage is in with a shout, and with competition winners qualifying automatically, league position would not be a factor. Therefore, Tottenham, Manchester United and Aston Villa could win a European trophy and nab a place regardless of their final league position.

Related Will England get a 5th Champions League place? UEFA's rules explained

Plenty of clubs could be eyeing 5th place if the Premier League earns an extra CL slot.

Posts 1 ByRoss Kilvington Feb 10, 2025 Who will qualify for the 2025/26 Champions League?

For the purpose of this article, let’s assume there will be five Champions League qualifiers, as expected.

With such an open race for all three European competitions, there are only a few certainties with nine games remaining. There will be several Premier League sides targeting a top-five finish, but who is in the best position to claim a Champions League spot?

Below is the current state of play, including every remaining fixture for the teams in contention.

Liverpool (1st, 70 points, +42 GD)

The most likely outcome for this season is Liverpool winning the league, and therefore claiming another Champions League berth for 2025/26.

The Reds were knocked out in the round of 16 this year despite topping the all-new league phase, though with a Premier League title win under their belts, they will surely already be making plans for a deeper run next term.

Only a disaster will plunge Arne Slot’s side out of title contention, even with rivals Arsenal still to visit Anfield.

Liverpool’s remaining fixtures

Date

Competition

Opponent

H/A

2nd April

Premier League

Everton

H

6th April

Premier League

Fulham

A

13th April

Premier League

West Ham

H

20th April

Premier League

Leicester

A

27th April

Premier League

Tottenham

H

4th May

Premier League

Chelsea

A

10th May

Premier League

Arsenal

H

18th May

Premier League

Brighton

A

25th May

Premier League

Crystal Palace

H

Arsenal (2nd, 58 points, +29 GD)

Arsenal may be left to settle for second place once again this term, though their place in next season’s Champions League looks relatively safe.

As it stands, they have an 11-point gap between them and sixth-placed Newcastle United, and Mikel Arteta’s side arguably have a kinder run-in than others. It would be a shock if they require a result of any kind heading into the final day, when they visit a doomed Southampton.

Arsenal’s remaining fixtures

Date

Competition

Opponent

H/A

1st April

Premier League

Fulham

H

5th April

Premier League

Everton

A

8th April

Champions League

Real Madrid

H

12th April

Premier League

Brentford

H

16th April

Champions League

Real Madrid

A

20th April

Premier League

Ipswich

A

26th April

Premier League

Crystal Palace

H

3rd May

Premier League

Bournemouth

H

10th May

Premier League

Liverpool

A

18th May

Premier League

Newcastle

H

25th May

Premier League

Southampton

A

Nottingham Forest (3rd, 54 points, +14 GD)

Only Nottingham Forest’s inexperience throws their Champions League credentials into doubt, as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side remain on the verge of completing a historic campaign.

Six clear of fourth-placed Chelsea as we approach April, Forest are in what would be a pretty strong position for a seasoned European contender.

But off the back of escaping relegation last year, Forest have confounded critics all season, and will need to dig deep to return to Europe’s premier club competition next term.

Still navigating an FA Cup run, the Reds have a decent stretch of fixtures to end the season – though all eyes could well be on the City Ground on the final day, when they take on a Chelsea side potentially needing to fulfil European ambitions of their own.

Nottingham Forest’s remaining fixtures

Date

Competition

Opponent

H/A

29th March

FA Cup

Brighton

A

1st April

Premier League

Man Utd

H

5th April

Premier League

Aston Villa

A

12th April

Premier League

Everton

H

21st April

Premier League

Tottenham

A

26th April

Premier League

Brentford

H

5th May

Premier League

Crystal Palace

A

10th May

Premier League

Leicester

H

18th May

Premier League

West Ham

A

25th May

Premier League

Chelsea

H

Chelsea (4th, 49 points, +16 GD)

Title contenders earlier in the year, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea are now set to settle for a Champions League place at best.

Their place in that competition is far from certain, though, as the Blues are now just six points ahead of 10th-placed Bournemouth. Four of their last nine opponents this term are top-half rivals and must also face Spurs and Man Utd before the season’s end.

Chelsea may yet get Europa League football back at Stamford Bridge as they seek Conference League glory later this year.

Chelsea’s remaining fixtures

Date

Competition

Opponent

H/A

3rd April

Premier League

Tottenham

H

6th April

Premier League

Brentford

A

10th April

Conference League

Legia Warsaw

A

13th April

Premier League

Ipswich

H

17th April

Conference League

Legia Warsaw

H

20th April

Premier League

Fulham

A

26th April

Premier League

Everton

H

4th May

Premier League

Liverpool

H

10th May

Premier League

Newcastle

A

18th May

Premier League

Man Utd

H

25th May

Premier League

Nottingham Forest

A

Man City (5th, 48 points, +15 GD)

Manchester City’s title defence is going down with a whimper, so much so that it is still unclear which European competition they will qualify for next term.

As it stands, they are poised to take England’s fifth Champions League spot, though a positive end to the year could still see them qualify more comfortably.

But City have shown their vulnerabilities all too often this term, and with the Citizens in the midst of a tight race for European football, they could just as easily plummet further down the table if they are unable to see of the challenges of Newcastle et al.

Man City’s remaining fixtures

Date

Competition

Opponent

H/A

30th March

FA Cup

Bournemouth

A

2nd April

Premier League

Leicester

H

6th April

Premier League

Man Utd

A

12th April

Premier League

Crystal Palace

H

19th April

Premier League

Everton

A

28th April

Premier League

Aston Villa

H

2nd May

Premier League

Wolves

H

10th May

Premier League

Southampton

A

18th May

Premier League

Bournemouth

H

25th May

Premier League

Fulham

A

Newcastle United (6th, 47 points, +9 GD)

Newcastle United are guaranteed some form of European football thanks to their EFL Cup triumph in March, though they will be hoping to return to the Champions League having got a taste for it last season.

While they currently trail the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, they have played a game fewer than all their main rivals, meaning a top-four place is in their hands.

However, with trips to Aston Villa, Brighton and Arsenal still to come, they will have to pull out all the stops to secure Champions League football for 2025/26.

Newcastle’s remaining fixtures

Date

Competition

Opponent

H/A

2nd April

Premier League

Brentford

H

7th April

Premier League

Leicester

A

13th April

Premier League

Man Utd

H

16th April

Premier League

Crystal Palace

H

19th April

Premier League

Aston Villa

A

26th April

Premier League

Ipswich

H

4th May

Premier League

Brighton

A

10th May

Premier League

Chelsea

H

18th May

Premier League

Arsenal

A

25th May

Premier League

Everton

H

Brighton & Hove Albion (7th, 47 points, +6 GD)

Having been left in 10th place after an eighth Premier League game without a win in early January, Brighton hardly looked like making a success of Fabian Hurzeler’s first campaign in charge.

But a chastening 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest appeared to transform the Seagulls’ season, with the south coast side winning six of their following seven in all competitions, with their only failure coming in a draw against reigning champions City.

Suddenly, European football is on the cards once again, and a route via the FA Cup is also still possible.

Brighton’s remaining fixtures

Date

Competition

Opponent

H/A

29th March

FA Cup

Nottingham Forest

H

2nd April

Premier League

Aston Villa

H

5th April

Premier League

Crystal Palace

A

12th April

Premier League

Leicester

H

19th April

Premier League

Brentford

A

26th April

Premier League

West Ham

H

4th May

Premier League

Newcastle

H

10th May

Premier League

Wolves

A

18th May

Premier League

Liverpool

H

25th May

Premier League

Tottenham

A

Fulham (8th, 45 points, +5 GD)

Fulham have been consistently impressive all year, and stand a chance of a top-seven finish which would mark a first return to Europe since the 2011/12 season.

Also still in the FA Cup, there are a number of routes available to Marco Silva’s side, though the cup may be their most realistic given that they must still face four of the current top five in the run-in, including Manchester City on the final day.

A Champions League slot therefore looks like a longshot, but finishing 8th could yet mean a European place if an English club takes home one of the European trophies.

Fulham’s remaining fixtures

Date

Competition

Opponent

H/A

29th March

FA Cup

Crystal Palace

H

1st April

Premier League

Arsenal

A

6th April

Premier League

Liverpool

H

14th April

Premier League

Bournemouth

A

20th April

Premier League

Chelsea

H

26th April

Premier League

Southampton

A

3rd May

Premier League

Aston Villa

A

10th May

Premier League

Everton

H

18th May

Premier League

Brentford

A

25th May

Premier League

Man City

H

Aston Villa (9th, 45 points, -4 GD)

Aston Villa have had a year to remember, with the Villans into the Champions League quarter-finals having been a Championship outfit just six years ago.

However, the destiny of next season is still undetermined, as they have been unable to maintain the levels that saw them finish fourth last term.

That said, a solid run in the league should secure European football of some kind, while the only way they can guarantee Champions League football at this stage is going all the way – which likely means defeating PSG, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Unfortunately, cup opponents Preston North End and Southampton are the only two sides they will face that are not involved in the race for Europe, meaning every single clash is crucial as far as their European hopes are concerned.

Aston Villa’s remaining fixtures

Date

Competition

Opponent

H/A

30th March

FA Cup

Preston

A

2nd April

Premier League

Brighton

A

5th April

Premier League

Nottingham Forest

H

9th April

Champions League

PSG

A

12th April

Premier League

Southampton

A

15th April

Champions League

PSG

H

19th April

Premier League

Newcastle

H

28th April

Premier League

Man City

A

3rd May

Premier League

Fulham

H

10th May

Premier League

Bournemouth

A

18th May

Premier League

Tottenham

H

25th May

Premier League

Man Utd

A

Bournemouth (10th, 44 points, +12 GD)

Perhaps the biggest outsiders for Champions League football in the Premier League are Bournemouth, who had been floating around fifth place until losing three of their last four top-flight games.

However, Andoni Iraola’s Cherries are still well within a shout of securing a European place, with England’s likely fifth Champions League slot providing a slim chance of the ultimate prize.

Trips to Arsenal and Man City look ominous, but they have upset the big boys before this season, and a strong run-in will almost certainly be enough for a first European campaign in their history.

Bournemouth’s remaining fixtures

Date

Competition

Opponent

H/A

30th March

FA Cup

Man City

H

2nd April

Premier League

Ipswich

H

5th April

Premier League

West Ham

A

14th April

Premier League

Fulham

H

19th April

Premier League

Crystal Palace

A

27th April

Premier League

Man Utd

H

3rd May

Premier League

Arsenal

A

10th May

Premier League

Aston Villa

H

18th May

Premier League

Man City

A

25th May

Premier League

Leicester

H

Teams with an outside chance Manchester United (Europa League quarter-finalists)

While the route to the Champions League via the league is closed off to the vastly underperforming Red Devils, Manchester United could yet be mixing it with the big boys again next year by taking home the Europa League.

Ruben Amorim’s side are into the last eight after seeing off Real Sociedad in the last 16, and a tie with Lyon has them just five matches away from another European trophy.

Sitting 11 points off fifth, winning the Europa League is the only way to salvage what has been a tumultuous campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur (Europa League quarter-finalists)

Also in desperate need for success are Tottenham Hotspur, who may yet turn a terrible domestic campaign into one of continental glory with victory in the Europa League.

The Lilywhites are set to face Eintracht Frankfurt for a place in the last four, and with Ange Postecoglou’s side languishing in 14th place at the time of writing, a Europa League triumph is the only way into the Champions League next season.

Of course, it would also mark a first major trophy in nearly two decades.

Everton now haven’t lost in the Premier League since the middle of January having collected a 1-1 draw away at relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.

Only one victory has come the Toffees’ way over the course of their last five top-flight outings – with the draws continuing to pile up and up – but David Moyes’ men will be loving how secure they feel in the division all the way up in 14th spot.

Still, the Scotsman now occupying the Goodison Park dug-out once more will want some improvements from Beto after he barely got going at Molineux, despite being his side’s joint top scorer in league action.

Beto's poor display vs Wolves

Indeed, the Portuguese attacker might well boast six Premier League strikes this campaign so far, but he looked way off his usual best in the West Midlands.

His clinical edge was nowhere to be seen as two big chances were spurned, whilst the ex-Udinese man found himself way off the pace when trying to get involved in general play away from being unleashed in-front of goal, with only three accurate passes registered from his meagre 25 touches of the ball.

Amazingly, the out-of-sorts number 14 wasn’t hauled off at any point by Moyes during the 1-1 draw, which is likely due to the fact his other striker options on the substitutes bench weren’t plentiful owing to Dominic Calvert-Lewin being sidelined through injury.

Therefore, to shake things up away from over-relying on Beto to deliver the goods, the ex-West Ham United boss could be prepared to give an electric young star a chance in the first-team picture, with Moyes perhaps unearthing his next Wayne Rooney in the process.

Moyes' next Rooney lying in wait at Everton

All those years ago, Moyes was the main man at the Toffees helm when Rooney initially made his breakthrough on Merseyside.

He handed a spritely teenager his professional debut at the tender age of 16 years, nine months and 24 days.

The rest ended up being history for the now-retired Toffees great after he stunned Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman only a couple of games into his fledging senior career, with 17-year-old hot prospect Braiden Graham now aiming to replicate Rooney’s blistering entry onto the first-team scene.

1. Thierry Small

16 years, five months + 23 days

Carlo Ancelotti

2. Jose Baxter

16 years, six months + 9 days

Moyes

3. Jake Bidwell

16 years, eight months + 26 days

Moyes

4. James Vaughan

16 years, eight months + 27 days

Moyes

5. Joe Royle

16 years, nine months + 7 days

Harry Catterick

Staggeringly, there have been five younger debutants at Goodison than the much-talked-about Rooney, with three of the top five above handed their first-ever chances in the senior game under Moyes’ watchful eye.

Therefore, the aforementioned Graham will surely fancy his chances at breaking into the men’s team soon, with the Northern Irish teenager already breaking records back at his previous side in Linfield when he was launched into the senior picture aged just 15.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Since then, the Ballygowan-born sensation has made quite the impression on Merseyside, with Graham picking up eight strikes from 18 games representing both the U18s and U21s.

Unfazed by being thrown into the U21 set-up, Graham could fancy his chances very soon of being second-in-command to Beto, with the 17-year-old keen to etch his name into Toffees folklore as another exciting and raw youngster who took to the first-team swimmingly.

Indeed, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s contract coming to an end in the summer, there will be an opening for either a new signing or young hero to make the mark inside the new stadium.

Much like Rooney too, the “incredible” starlet – as he was once labelled by his ex-Linfield boss in David Healy – can play as a number ten if needed, away from leading the line with venom.

Arguably, Everton do need some freshening up in the striker spots, with Graham perhaps the next bold pick by Moyes to get the Goodison masses out of their seats.

Outscoring Beto: Everton must rue selling star now better than Richarlison

Everton could do with this former “menace” in their ranks this season.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 7, 2025

Beth Mooney cemented her spot as Australia’s opener for the women’s Ashes Test after scoring a dominant century against England A.Mooney scored 107 from 133 balls at Leicester on Thursday, as Australia were all out for 284 and had their English rivals 2-135 in reply at stumps on day one.With Meg Lanning out of the tour with illness and Rachael Haynes having retired since their last red-ball match, Australia gave their strongest indication yet of their line up for next week’s Test in Nottingham.Captain Alyssa Healy moved down the order to No. 5, after indicating last month she did not want to shoulder the load of wicketkeeping and opening.That prompted Phoebe Litchfield and Mooney to open, in an entirely new-look combination after Healy and Haynes opened in Australia’s last Test.Litchfield fell for 19, but still looks likely to earn a Test debut at the top of the order at Trent Bridge next week.Mooney, however, had no such trouble ahead of the one-off Test against England that kicks off the multi-format series. She was dominant square of the wicket and punished an England A attack that was sometimes too wayward.Mooney has opened previously in Test cricket, but has traditionally batted at No. 3 or in the middle order before Haynes’ retirement. Her score was the only Australian one above 40, as others fell to loose shots around her.”I seem to do that in warm-up games and not transfer that to the real thing,” Mooney said. “Hopefully next week I can. The first few days in England it’s nice to hit a few off the middle.”Kim Garth then pushed her case for a Test debut for Australia as she took 2 for 24 late in the day. Veteran seamer Megan Schutt was not used, with Australia likely to leave her out of the Test attack and play former Irish international Garth instead.”Kimmy G is a ripper, she has contributed hugely to this group off the field and it’s nice to see her getting some games on the field,” said Mooney. She presents a real threat to the England top order, so it’s nice to see her get a couple in this game.”

Leicestershire bowled out for 99, Steven Croft anchors simple chase for hosts

ECB Reporters Network25-May-2023Lancashire’s star-studded line-up gave Liam Livingstone the perfect start to his spell as Lightning’s Vitality Blast captain with a landslide eight-wicket win over Leicestershire at Emirates Old Trafford.A team with seven internationals blitzed the Foxes early on thanks to Luke Wood’s pace in the powerplay after the visitors had elected to bat, limiting them to a measly 99 all out inside 19 overs.Livingstone didn’t bat or bowl in this lunchtime fixture, with his England white-ball team-mate Wood setting the tone with two wickets in the third over. He got openers Sol Budinger and Nick Welch caught pulling as the score fell to 17 for 2.Left-armer Wood finished with 3 for 11 from four overs, while another England quick Saqib Mahmood finished with 3 for 17 from 3.5 before the chase was completed inside 12 overs thanks to Steven Croft’s unbeaten 46 off 34 balls.Lancashire have started their bid for what could be a record-breaking 10th Finals Day appearance – Hampshire have also previously qualified for nine – by winning two from two at the start of the North Group.Wood’s fiery new-ball spell seemed to scramble the minds of Leicestershire’s batters, with nine of the 10 wickets falling to catches in their first game of the competition. Wiaan Mulder’s 25 was the only score above 20.When the easier-paced seam of Colin de Grandhomme was introduced in the fourth over, Arron Lilley chipped to midwicket and later Colin Ackermann was bowled aiming a big heave at a slower ball from the former New Zealand allrounder – leaving Leicestershire 35 for 4 after seven.Wickets continued to fall, three in four overs, as Leicestershire slipped deeper into trouble at 74 for 7 in the 14th. Matthew Parkinson struck with his third ball in the 11th when Rishi Patel tried to break the shackles and miscued to Wood at long-on before Mahmood had Mulder caught at deep midwicket pulling in the next.Wood then returned to get Rehan Ahmed caught behind trying to uppercut a short ball in the 14th over, the England allrounder falling for 6.That brought about a battle of the Parkinson twins, Matthew and Callum, the latter attempting to retrieve what already looked a lost cause. Callum survived against his brother, picking up a couple of singles off him on the way to 9. But he then fell caught behind off a top edge against Lancashire’s other New Zealand allrounder Daryl Mitchell.As the Foxes fell to 94 for 8 in the 18th over, Parkinson became the fourth batter out attempting to pull.Mahmood then wrapped up the innings – Leicestershire’s fifth-lowest in Blast history – with two more wickets caught off miscues in the 19th over, Pakistan debutant fast bowler Naseem Shah and Will Davis falling.South African Mulder took the new ball for the Foxes and struck in the second over when Luke Wells followed a number of visiting batters by falling caught on the pull, leaving Lancashire at 8 for 1.Croft and Phil Salt then shared 60 inside six overs for the second wicket, both hitting sixes. Salt was then superbly caught at backward point by a diving Patel off Ahmed’s legspin for 28, but it was nothing more than a consolatory wicket at 68 for 2 in the seventh.Mitchell later hit a six off Davis over backward square-leg to seal victory and finish 25 not out.Such is the strength of the Red Rose county’s team, captain Livingstone’s contribution was limited to captaincy alone upon his return from IPL duty. And England limited-overs skipper Jos Buttler will be added to the mix in time for next Thursday’s Roses clash at Headingley.

de Klerk stars with ball as Vipers are restricted to 118 in their 20 overs

ECB Reporters Network29-May-2023

Tammy Beaumont anchored the Blaze run-chase•Getty Images

The Blaze 119 for 5 (Beaumont 49*) beat Vipers 118 (de Klerk 2-10) by five wicketsThe Blaze made it four wins from four matches in the Charlotte Edwards Cup as they squeezed home by five wickets against holders Southern Vipers in a low-scoring match at the Incora County Ground in Derby.The East Midlands representative side, who had never beaten the Vipers in their previous guise as Lightning, made it home with two balls to spare thanks to an unbeaten 49 from England opener Tammy Beaumont.Batting first, Vipers were all out for 118 in 19.3 overs, skipper Georgia Adams top scoring with 31 as Nadine De Klerk, Kathryn Bryce and Sophie Munro took two wickets each.The Vipers attack made sure an apparently easy chase was anything but for The Blaze, but Beaumont used all her know-how to ensure her side did not miss out.Vipers were without key duo Charlie Dean and Lauren Bell, rested ahead of their upcoming England commitments, but The Blaze lost Nat Sciver-Brunt for the same reason and suffered a further blow when another of their England internationals, Sarah Glenn, had to pull out after suffering a back spasm in the warm-ups.Put in on a slow, dry surface, Vipers were 40 without loss in the powerplay after Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt had profited from hitting the ball in the air over the fielders in the circle, aided by a quick outfield.Yet wickets lost in each of the next three overs changed the tenor of the innings as Bouchier, Wyatt and Australian wicketkeeper-batter Nicole Faltum departed in quick order.Bouchier, having pulled Kathryn Bryce for four, connected with a leading edge attempting to do the same, Bryce herself taking a well-judged catch. Wyatt drove left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon’s second ball straight to extra cover and Faltum lost her middle stump as Bryce claimed a second success.From 44 without loss, Vipers were suddenly 49 for three and never recovered that early momentum, Adams unable to find a partner able to stick with her long enough to put any sustained pressure on the Blaze bowlers.Freya Kemp, making her first appearance of the campaign, slog-swept Gordon for six but misjudged Lucy Higham’s off-spin and was bowled, before Georgia Elwiss handed 18-year-old leg-spinner Josie Groves a Blaze debut wicket somewhat unluckily, an inside edge hitting her foot and rolling on to the stumps.Sophie Munro, whose sole powerplay over had cost 15 runs, came back well at the death, claiming the important wickets of Adams and Emily Windsor, while Nadine De Klerk, who went down so heavily in the field a few minutes earlier it seemed for a moment she would not continue, recovered so fully she was able to bowl Alice Monaghan middle stump and pin Mary Taylor in front, in between which Linsey Smith was run out at the non-striker’s end by an impressive direct hit by Beamont at mid-off, the last five Vipers wickets falling in the final four overs for 17 runs.After that, Vipers needed a good powerplay if they were to put The Blaze under pressure and achieved it, restricting the home side to 31 runs and removing two key batters in Marie Kelly, who clipped left-arm spinner Smith straight to square leg, and Georgie Boyce, who chipped a return catch that Elwiss grabbed at head height.Beaumont and Kathryn Bryce looked a combination that might take the game away from Vipers but against bowling that rarely offered easy runs were falling behind the required rate when the latter went down the pitch to off-spinner Adams and failed to connect, paying the price.A tight over from third seamer Taylor left The Blaze needing 72 from 54 balls but a contrastingly costly over from Monaghan then tilted the balance back in the home side’s favour as the fourth-wicket pair plundered 25 runs, helped by a couple of no-balls, Beaumont ending it with three consecutive fours.Smith claimed a second wicket when she beat Sarah Bryce’s swing but with Beaumont still there as a calm, experienced competitor The Blaze were able to edge home.

New Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti has hailed Chelsea-bound Estevao Willian as a potentially "important player" for the Selecao's future.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Estevao Willian heading to ChelseaBlues signed youngster for £56mWill join the club this summerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ancelotti, the new Brazil boss, has hailed Estevao as a potentially huge player for Brazil's future. The Palmeiras winger has agreed to join Chelsea in a blockbuster £56 million ($76m) deal, and only turned 18 in April. He has already won four caps for his country, and has played 78 times for the Brazilian club, scoring 26 goals and laying on 15 assists.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ancelotti was asked about the teenager ahead of his move to England, and the ex-Real Madrid boss has made a big claim about just how good he can be. Brazil are next in action on Friday against Ecuador.

WHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID

Ancelotti said: "Estevao, I already knew about. I hadn’t seen him in person, only through videos and on TV, but I see what everyone sees: that he is a player with extraordinary, special talent, very young, and who still has things to learn.

"Estevao is a talented player, humble, has drive and personality. He has immense creativity, a ton of qualities." He added: "Obviously, he has all the characteristics to be a very important player for the future of the national team."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPWHAT NEXT?

Estevao is set to join Chelsea this summer and will hope to make a significant impression once he makes the move to the Premier League. He is expected to start against Ecuador.

Kyle Walker has congratulated Scott McTominay for his Serie A triumph with Napoli, following his exit from Manchester United.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• McTominay enjoyed sensational season
• Wins Scudetto with Napoli
• United endure nightmare season without him

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Walker, who played in Serie A in 2024/25, having joined AC Milan on loan, has congratulated his rival McTominay for inspiring Napoli to a sensational Serie A title triumph. The midfielder left Manchester United last summer for a €30 million (£25m/$34m) fee, and went on to score 12 goals and register six assists as Napoli won only their fourth Italian title.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  McTominay had spent almost his entire life at United, having joined the club at the age of five, before deciding to make the switch to Italy, and Walker has revealed his admiration for the Scotland international, as his call to leave has been more than vindicated. Indeed, the midfielder scored the decisive goal that saw Napoli confirmed as champions.

• WHAT KYLE WALKER SAID

  Walker, speaking on his podcast, said: "To leave Manchester United, when you've been at Manchester United for so long, to make that jump, I'm so happy for him. I think even, Napoli, the fans are very intense, but for what he's done, the goal that sealed it in the last game…"

  He added: "When you play with confidence you can do anything. If I showed you that picture one year ago, and said 'who's that', you would never go 'Scott McTominay'. So congratulations both to Scott and his family and everyone associated with him. I'm very happy for you."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Scotland play Iceland in an international friendly on Friday before taking on Liechtenstein on Monday.

وصل البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا، المدير الفني المنتظر لفريق نادي الزمالك، إلى القاهرة، منذ قليل، للاتفاق مع مسؤولي القلعة البيضاء.

وكان مجلس الزمالك أعلن رحيل الجهاز الفني للفريق بالكامل، بقيادة أيمن الرمادي، بشكل رسمي.

وكان أيمن الرمادي تولى تدريب فريق الزمالك بشكل مؤقت، عقب رحيل البرتغالي جوزيه بيسيرو، بعد خروج الفارس الأبيض من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية.

طالع| خاص.. “بطولات” يكشف تشكيل الجهاز الفني الجديد لـ الزمالك

وسيعقد يانيك فيريرا جلسة نهائية مع إدارة الزمالك للاتفاق على الرتوش الأخيرة، وإعلان توليه المهمة الفنية للفريق الكروي، حسبما علم بطولات.

ويحظى يانيك فيريرا بسمعة طيبة كأحد أبرز المدربين الشباب في بلجيكا، إذ سبق له قيادة نادي ستاندارد لييج، إلى جانب عمله كمساعد مدرب في أندية أوروبية مرموقة، كما خاض تجربة ناجحة في المنطقة العربية مع الفتح السعودي بين 2019 و2022، حيث قدم مستويات مميزة استمرت لعدة مواسم. تشكيل الجهاز الفني الجديد لـ الزمالك

ومن المتوقع أن يكون تشكيل الجهاز الفني الجديد لـ الزمالك، كالتالي:

– المساعد الأول: فرنسي بيير بارلي.

– مدرب الأحمال: الإسباني رؤول لوبيز.

– مدرب حراس المرمى: البلجيكي چوجوسلاف لازيتش.

– محلل الأداء: فرنسي.. چوليان لاچوكس.

– حازم إمام: مدرب مساعد.

For everything he has got wrong at Tottenham Hotspur, Ange Postecoglou has made plenty of brilliant signings.

For example, the likes of Micky van de Ven, Dominic Solanke and James Maddison all improve the starting lineup when fit, while Kevin Danso and Antonín Kinský look like more than adequate deputies.

Moreover, the Australian has also signed some sensationally talented youngsters like Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, who will surely be key members of the team for years to come.

However, not every signing has been perfect, and it would be fair to say that during his time at the club, Timo Werner has not been good enough, but in good news, another of the team’s youngsters will be the perfect replacement next season, and no, we aren’t talking about Mikey Moore.

Timo Werner's Spurs nightmare

Okay, calling Werner’s time in N17 a nightmare is likely overdoing it, but we don’t think we are all that far off if you look at his performance and impact since last January and consider the fact he’s making £165k-per-week.

At the end of last season, the former Chelsea flop had racked up a reasonable enough tally of five goal involvements in 14 games, and while that’s really not too bad, it certainly wasn’t good enough to warrant the club re-signing him for another season.

Unfortunately, Postecoglou’s gamble has not worked out in the slightest this year, as, despite being given more of a role, the Stuttgart-born forward has fared even worse.

Appearances

14

27

Goals

2

1

Assists

3

3

Goal Involvements per Match

0.35

0.14

For example, in 27 appearances across all competitions, the 29-year-old has scored just a single goal and provided three assists, which means he’s averaged a goal involvement every 6.75 games – talk about ineffective.

On top of lacking to contribute to the attack, the RB Leipzig loanee has also missed 11 games through injury, and while that is not his fault, it is a downside when he’s only at the club for a short spell, and based on reports from earlier in the season, it’s a spell that won’t be extended again.

Now, the good news is that when he leaves, the club will already have an up-and-coming talent who could step into his role as a squad player, and it’s not Moore.

Spurs' perfect Werner replacement

So, when we are talking about the perfect replacement for Werner next season, we are talking about a winger who will play the odd game here and there but ultimately act very much as the third or fourth choice, which is why we don’t consider this to be Moore.

The Hotspur Way gem has already shown in flashes this season that he’s going to be good enough to genuinely challenge the likes of Wilson Odobert and Son Heunng-min for more regular football next season.

So, where does that leave us? Even if they are not going to be playing loads and loads of football next year, Postecoglou and Co are still going to want their Werner replacement to be good enough to make an impact when called upon, and for our money, the perfect candidate for that is Yang Min-hyeok.

The South Korean winger joined the club from Gangwon FC last summer but remained with the K League side until the new year, as their seasons run from February to November.

Moreover, despite being so young, he was a seriously important player for them.

Appearances

38

Goals

12

Assists

6

Goal Involvements *

0.47

He managed to rack up an impressive tally of 12 goals and six assists in just 38 appearances, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.11 games.

When he arrived in England, the North Londoners made the wise decision to send the “underrated” teenager, per analyst Joel Kim, out on a short-term loan to Queens Park Rangers, where he has since provided one assist in eight appearances, four of which have been starts.

On top of being capable of scoring and assisting goals, the Gwangju-born phenom is blessed with “power and pace”, according to Kim, which makes him sound like the perfect player to bring off the bench toward the end of games.

Finally, while some might consider loaning him out again next season, there is a strong argument that with him still being quite young, a campaign in which he’s in the first team and making substitute appearances in the Premier League might be just as beneficial for his development.

Ultimately, Spurs will need someone to fill in for the departing Werner next season, and while he’s unproven in the top-flight, Yang Min-hyeok seems like the perfect candidate.

Imagine him & Gray: Spurs are brewing "Dembele-esque" star in teen gem

The Spurs prospect could be a real star in the future.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 28, 2025

Celtic were left disappointed on Sunday when their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table was cut down to 13 points by their rivals at Parkhead.

The Hoops came from 2-0 down to draw the game level at 2-2 in front of their home fans, hoping to then push on for a winner to send them 19 points clear of Rangers.

Unfortunately, however, Morocco international Hamza Igamane hammered in a thunderous volley into the top corner of Kasper Schmeichel’s goal in the 88th minute to secure all three points for the away team.

It was a bad day at the office for the Hoops, who are still on course to win the Premiership title with ease, as several of their key players failed to step up and perform.

For example, Nicolas Kuhn was substituted at half-time after he failed with three of his four dribble attempts in the first half, and did not contribute to any goals.

Jota, who returned to Parkhead after an 18-month absence in the January transfer window, did do his best to make a difference at the top end of the pitch, though.

Jota's form since returning to Celtic

The Portuguese forward was shifted out on to the right flank for the second half against Rangers, after playing on the left in the opening 45, and made an almost instant impact by beating Ridvan Yilmaz down the line and delivering a brilliant cross for Daizen Maeda to score.

Jota managed one goal and one assist in ten matches for Rennes during the first half of the season before his return to Parkhead, which meant that the Hoops were signing a player in poor form and struggling with confidence in front of goal.

As you can see in the graphic above, the winger was full of confidence in the final third during his first spell in Glasgow, and he has tapped into that once again to thrive on the pitch for Brendan Rodgers this year.

The assist for Maeda’s goal against Rangers on Sunday was his fifth goal contribution in seven appearances in the Premiership in 2025, with three goals and two assists to his name.

Appearances (starts)

7 (four)

Goals

3

Conversion rate

27%

Big chances created

3

Assists

2

Successful dribbles

1.1

As you can see in the table above, Jota has been incredibly productive, despite only starting four times, with three goals and three ‘big chances’ created.

Market Movers

Despite his impressive form on the pitch for the Scottish giants this season, the former Benfica starlet is only the seventh-most valuable player in the Celtic squad, as per Transfermarkt, with a value of £7.6m.

Where Jota ranks among Celtic's most valuable players

The Hoops have built a valuable squad that has six other players who are currently worth even more than the Portuguese sensation, who was bought for £25m by Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad just 18 months ago.

One of those players is Maeda, who scored from Jota’s assist, as the Japan international has been in phenomenal form for the Hoops so far this term.

The Japanese marksman has racked up 28 goals and nine assists in all competitions for Celtic, whilst operating on the flank or through the middle as a striker, and he is currently the fourth-most valuable player at the club.

Cameron Carter-Vickers

£11.6m

Arne Engels

£10.1m

Nicolas Kuhn

£10.1m

Daizen Maeda

£9.3m

Reo Hatate

£9.2m

Alistair Johnston

£8.4m

Jota

£7.6m

Auston Trusty

£6.3m

Greg Taylor

£5.5m

Callum McGregor

£5.5m

As you can see in the table above, Nicolas Kuhn, Arne Engels, and Cameron Carter-Vickers are the three most valuable stars at Parkhead at this moment in time.

Celtic signed Engels from Bundesliga outfit Augsburg last summer and have already hit the jackpot with the Belgian star, who has hit the ground running in Glasgow this season.

Why Celtic have hit the jackpot with Arne Engels

Firstly, his market value has soared during his short time at Parkhead to date. Transfermarkt valued the central midfielder at €9m (£7.5m) at the time of his move from Germany last year.

He is now worth £10.1m, as per Transfemarkt, and this suggests that the Hoops have landed a young talent, at the age of 21, who is improving week-in-week-out and now worth even more than both Jota and Maeda.

Celtic have also struck gold with Engels because of his performances on the pitch for the Hoops this season. He has not taken much time to adapt to life in Scotland, as the youngster has emerged as a star performer in the middle of the park.

Engels, despite his age and inexperience, has been relied upon by Rodgers as the go-to penalty taker, scoring eight of his nine spot-kicks for Celtic this term.

The Belgium international has outscored Jota, with ten goals in all competitions, and has offered a creative presence at the top end of the pitch, with 12 assists for the Scottish giants.

Appearances

10

Goals

1

Big chances created

3

Assists

3

Tackles + interceptions

2.4

Duel success rate

59%

As you can see in the table above, Engels also excelled in the club’s run to the last 16 in the Champions League, thanks to his ability in and out of possession in midfield.

The Belgian starlet, who was described as “fantastic” by captain Callum McGregor, has the defensive awareness and mobility to win the majority of his duels and disrupt opposition attacks on a regular basis, whilst also having the composure and creativity on the ball to make things happen for his side.

Overall, Celtic have already hit the jackpot with the former Augsburg star because they have unearthed a midfield talent who can score crucial goals and create chances for his teammates on a regular basis, whilst also offering defensive quality on the European stage.

Worse than Schlupp: 4/10 dud had his worst game in a Celtic shirt

The Celtic defender was even worse than Crystal Palace loanee Jeffrey Schlupp.

ByDan Emery Mar 17, 2025

The 21-year-old talent’s soaring market value also shows that Celtic have signed a player who has the potential to be sold on for a healthy profit in the future, as his value continues to rise alongside his fantastic performances on the pitch for the club.