As Kobbie Mainoo’s contract negotiations continue to stall, Manchester United have reportedly set their sights on signing a young midfielder who’s shown more creativity than their academy graduate.

Man Utd eyeing impressive midfielder

The Red Devils have it all to do this summer if they are to make significant improvement under Ruben Amorim. On course for a mid-table finish in the Premier League, whether INEOS have the funds available to rebuild their side is another question, but that hasn’t stopped the rumours from arriving.

The likes of Matheus Cunha and Chris Rigg have both been among the headlines this week, with Manchester United reportedly targeting moves to sign the impressive duo. Cunha would particularly offer Amorim a much-needed upgrade in attack, putting an end to the blunt nature of a frontline centred around Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

Meanwhile, Rigg represents one of the most talented young players that English football has to offer. The 17-year-old has become one to watch at Sunderland and could yet find himself on his way to Old Trafford at the same time that Mainoo’s future is thrown into doubt.

The Carrington graduate is yet to sign a new deal and previous reports suggested that he could seek a move abroad, potentially forcing the Red Devils to turn towards a Champions League-level replacement.

According to Calcio Mercato, Manchester United are now readying a move to sign Ardon Jashari, who Club Brugge value at around €35m (£29m) this summer. The Premier League giants aren’t alone in their interest, with Juventus, Atalanta, AC Milan and AS Roma all chasing the midfielder’s signature, but they are ready to ‘go on the attack’.

Related Man Utd star was ahead of Amad, but then Ten Hag sold him for just £15m

Manchester United may have made a huge mistake offloading one player in recent years.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Mar 27, 2025

Still just 22 years old, Jashari has impressed throughout the current campaign, performing well in the Champions League against the likes of Aston Villa and interested party Juventus. Now, as a hectic race begins to form, he may have a decision to make.

"Great" Jashari is more creative than Mainoo

Two players who would sit in a deeper role in Amorim’s system rather than the advanced roles, Jashari has proven to be more influential going forward than Mainoo this season and could yet offer Manchester United an instant upgrade.

Despite sitting deep, the 22-year-old has had a hand in as many as nine goals – scoring three and assisting a further six in all competitions. Mainoo, meanwhile, in a season full of injury frustrations, has managed just one goal and one assist.

As both Zirkzee and Hojlund struggle for consistency in front of goal too, any help from the midfield alongside Bruno Fernandes’ output certainly wouldn’t go amiss at Old Trafford.

Praised for his “great technical ability” by analyst Ben Mattinson before he even earned a move to Club Brugge, Jashari has only improved since those days and now looks destined for a big move.

Quick earns call-up ahead of Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt set for maiden Test cap

Valkerie Baynes21-Jun-2023Lauren Filer, the fast bowler described by England Women’s head coach Jon Lewis as bowling “with more pace than probably anyone in the country” will make her international debut in this week’s Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.At the opposite end of the career spectrum Danni Wyatt, who has played 245 white-ball matches for England, will earn her maiden Test cap against the Australians starting on Thursday.Filer, 22, was one of two uncapped players named in England’s initial squad of 15 for the Test alongside allrounder and Western Storm team-mate Danielle Gibson, who was overlooked for the final XI, as was Filer’s fellow quick Issy Wong, who made her international debut in the Test against South Africa in Taunton a year ago.Upon announcing the initial squad, Lewis also highlighted Filer’s ability to swing the red Dukes ball. Filer went wicketless during England’s three-day, red-ball warm-up match against Australia A on a slow, lifeless pitch in Derby last week, conceding 27 runs from eight overs in the first innings as left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone took 5 for 38 to reduce the opposition to 221 all out in the first innings. Australia A were 361 for 7 in their second innings, with Filer returning figures of 11-1-40-0 as the match ended in a draw.Kate Cross, who has played six Tests during her 73-match England career will spearhead the hosts’ seam attack, which has lost stalwarts Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Anya Shrubsole over the past 18 months, and now includes Lauren Bell, who made her international debut alongside Wong last year.Despite being part of the original Test squad, Wyatt played for England A last week during their warm-up against a senior Australian side and reached 37 off 46 balls before she was trapped lbw by Australia quick Darcie Brown.Alice Capsey and Alice Davidson-Richards were released from the Test squad on Monday to play for England A in their first T20 against Australia A at Loughborough today.England Women Test team: Tammy Beaumont, Emma Lamb, Heather Knight (capt), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, Danielle Wyatt, Amy Jones (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell

MatériaMais Notícias

Amigo leitor, eu sei que você veio pela análise da partida, e eu te juro que ela estará aqui. Mas, antes, não tem como não abordar a resposta do técnico Vítor Pereira na entrevista coletiva após o revés do Corinthians para o Palmeiras, no último sábado (13), pela 22ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansDerrotas para Flamengo e Palmeiras aumentam a responsabilidade do Corinthians contra o Atlético-GOCorinthians14/08/2022CorinthiansRecomposição, encaixe e confiança: veja porque Guedes e Yuri ainda não engrenaram juntos no CorinthiansCorinthians14/08/2022CorinthiansVítor Pereira mostra confiança na Copa do Brasil e avalia protestos da torcida do Corinthians: ‘Cobrança é importante’Corinthians13/08/2022

+ATUAÇÕES: dupla entra no segundo tempo e vai mal em derrota do Corinthians no Dérbi

Para mim, o problema nem está na referência que ele fez sobre o saldo na conta bancária, mas o desprendimento aparente em relação ao Timão.

Você pode até questionar a qualidade da pergunta. Da minha parte, digo que foi pertinente. Ela não serviu para fomentar coisa alguma, mas em uma realidade onde a média de permanência dos treinadores em clubes da elite do futebol brasileiro é de seis meses, e o Corinthians vem de uma eliminação na Libertadores e perdeu um ‘jogo de seis pontos’ para o maior rival, o que comprometeu, e muito, a busca pelo título brasileiro, é natural que o comandante da equipe viva uma pressão. Situação essa que fica ainda mais clara nos protestos vindo das arquibancadas e na porta da Neo Química Arena após o Dérbi.

+ Confira a tabela do Brasileirão e simule os próximos jogos

Quando Vítor Pereira diz que pode trabalhar em outro lugar, onde e quando quiser, demonstra desprendimento a um clube gigante como é o Timão. E, na boa, está aí algo que dinheiro algum no mundo compra: a possibilidade de entrar para a história dessa equipe tão tradicional.

PAPO DE FUTEBOL

Dito isto, vamos falar sobre campo e bola.

O Corinthians foi melhor que o Palmeiras, sim, como o próprio VP salientou na entrevista coletiva depois do jogo, mas não foi muito. Algo longe de fazer com que o revés deste fim de semana estivesse no naipe de grande representação da injustiça do futebol.

O Timão teve mais a bola na maior parte dos dois tempos. No primeiro, porém, voltou a ter muitas dificuldades de criação, mesmo com Renato Augusto em campo.

O camisa 8 só entrou na partida na etapa final, quando o Coringão criou as melhores jogadas, mas ainda sem conseguir pisar muito na área palmeirense. Os momentos de maior perigo corintiano foram em finalizações de média e longa distância.

Soma-se isso a diversos erros técnicos. Foram muitos passes errados, decisões equivocadas e falhas nas definições de jogadas.

E foi um desses momentos que ocasionaram o gol da vitória palmeirense.

Aos 27 minutos do segundo tempo, Fagner tentou cruzar uma bola da direita para a esquerda, na altura do meio-campo, e cedeu o contra-ataque ao Verdão. E todo mundo sabe que o time palmeirense é PhD nesse tipo de jogada. Dudu, então, arrancou, serviu Piquerez, que cruzou baixo, e Roni mandou contra uma bola que, caso o meia corintiano não tocasse, chegaria limpa para Flaco López empurrar para a rede.

A derrota corintiana no Dérbi é doída. Ainda mais do que um revés contra o maior rival, que já machuca demais o corintiano, isso porque ela vem em um momento de baixa autoestima por parte do Coringão.

O Timão vem de uma eliminação na Libertadores e está às vésperas de um jogo onde necessita reverter dois gols. Nesta quarta-feira (17), o clube alvinegro encara o Atlético-GO, na Neo Química Arena, pela volta das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. Na ida, o Time do Povo perdeu por 2 a 0, em Goiânia.

MUDANÇA DE ESPÍRITO

No mês passado falávamos sobre o espírito corintiano, maloqueiro e sofredor adquirido pelo técnico Vítor Pereira com a classificação épica contra o Boca, na Bombonera, pela Libertadores, somado à promoção sem grande sustos às quartas da Copa do Brasil, contra o Santos, e a manutenção de uma boa colocação no Campeonato Brasileiro. Mês seguinte e parece que o time colocou tudo a perder. Reflexo, também, de um treinador que não conseguiu aplicar as suas ideias quando teve em mãos um elenco mais reforçado do que outrora.

E aí, não há saldo na conta bancária que faça com que o conjunto compre a sua ideia. Do campo à arquibancada, o Corinthians estava com Vítor Pereira, mas em meio aos episódios recentes, que culminou nessa declaração infeliz do treinador corintiano após perder o clássico contra o Palmeiras, o técnico português trouxe sobre si um problema mais difícil de reverter do que o duelo deste meio de semana contra o Dragão.

continua após a publicidade

Warwickshire have a firm grip at the halfway stage of their LV= Insurance County Championship match at Trent Bridge as they bid to cut Surrey’s lead in the Division One table.As an approaching electrical storm persuaded umpires Peter Hartley and Steve O’Shaughnessy to take the players off just before five o’clock, Nottinghamshire were in deep trouble at 82 for 5 in their first innings, still 489 runs behind after Warwickshire declared at 571 for 0.Pakistan international Hasan Ali had taken two wickets in addition to his quickfire 54 with the bat, with wicketkeeper Michael Burgess grabbing two catches to go with his unbeaten 77 earlier.Nottinghamshire, last season’s Division Two champions, need to score 340 more runs just to avoid being asked to follow on. No further play was possible but eight of the 22.2 overs lost will be added to the schedule for day three.Burgess and Hasan shared an 80-run partnership in a productive morning session for Warwickshire, who added 163 to their overnight 361 for 5 in that time. They lost nightwatchman Danny Briggs, who became a third victim for Jake Ball via a sharp return catch, and allrounder Ed Barnard, who tried to reverse-sweep a Calvin Harrison full toss and was bowled.But eighth-wicket pair Burgess and Hasan plundered runs at 6.5 per over, the Pakistan fast bowler smiting five sixes, starting as he meant to go on after Barnard’s dismissal by lofting Harrison’s legspin over the fence at wide long-on first ball.Michael Burgess attempts something unorthodox•Getty Images

He repeated the feat twice more against Harrison and a couple of times off Steven Mullaney’s medium pace before mistiming one off Harrison in the first over after lunch that Matt Montgomery caught falling backwards at deep midwicket. He had faced only 36 balls in making his highest first-class score for Warwickshire so far.”I try not to tell Hasan what to do: I know he’s going to whack it,” Burgess said. “I was actually struggling getting it away there, and he made it look very easy and put some time back into the game, which was great.”The visitors declared shortly after Chris Rushworth had fallen for 20 off 17 balls, caught at extra cover as Harrison increased his haul to four wickets from a marathon 30-over shift.The declaration left Nottinghamshire to face 22 overs before tea, which they would have hoped to navigate with perhaps one loss, preferably none. In the event, it was three.The first 14 of those overs were largely uneventful, with the quota of plays-and-misses and edges no bigger than is normal with fresh bowlers and a new ball. It all started happening once Hasan entered the fray.The skiddy right-armer, only just recovered from an ankle injury that sidelined him for three weeks at the start of the Vitality Blast, bowled Haseeb Hameed off a bottom edge with this second delivery only to hear the umpire call ‘no-ball’. Two balls later he overstepped again as Hameed clipped him for four. Yet it was the two openers whose equilibrium appeared to be disturbed more than the bowler.Related

• Ollie Robinson, David Bedingham tons put Durham in front

• Haider Ali, Leus du Plooy stun Yorkshire with breathless counter-attack

• Notts feel the heat from Hain again

Ben Slater, pushing forward defensively, edged Barnard to first slip before Hameed, driving, was caught behind off a thin edge from the third ball of Hasan’s second over. When Hasan then produced a beauty to bowl a bemused Joe Clarke, Nottinghamshire had gone from 51 without loss to 54 for 3, seemingly in the blink of an eye.The pause for tea was probably welcome, yet things only worsened for the home side soon afterwards as Montgomery, having been patient to that point, went to pull Rushworth but connected poorly, giving Hasan an easy catch at mid-on, leaving Nottinghamshire in dire trouble at 58 for 4, still 513 runs behind.Mullaney did connect as Rushworth began to drop short to him, pulling two meaty sixes back to back, but if this was an attempt to put a little pressure back on the bowlers it did not work. The fifth Nottinghamshire wicket fell two balls later as Lyndon James pushed at one outside off stump from Olly Hannon-Dalby, Burgess snapping up his second catch.

Chelsea are approaching the all-important run-in, with nine Premier League games left to play for Enzo Maresca’s side, as they look to regain their top form when it matters most and secure UEFA Champions League football. This would be the Blues’ first time back in the competition after missing out the last two years.

This will also be mixed in with their UEFA Conference League run, currently in the quarter-finals of that competition, set to face Legia Warszawa in a two-legged tie on April 10th and April 17th.

03/04/2025

Tottenham (H)

06/04/2025

Brentford (A)

13/04/2025

Ipswich (H)

20/04/2025

Fulham (A)

26/04/2025

Everton (H)

04/05/2025

Liverpool (H)

10/05/2025

Newcastle (A)

18/05/2025

Manchester United (H)

25/05/2025

Nottingham Forest (A)

18 days since their last game, Chelsea will take on Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, starting their bid for that top four spot, as they currently sit 4th on 49 points, just one point ahead of Manchester City in 5th. But this run-in isn’t just important for the club itself, as one player in particular will be playing for his future at the club.

Jadon Sancho's last chance

Some breaking news over the international break was around Chelsea’s Jadon Sancho loan deal, a move they made in the summer to acquire the English winger from Manchester United on a loan with an obligation to buy.

However, it has been revealed this week that the 25-year-old forward could be sent back to Manchester United if Chelsea decide to pay a £5m compensation fee, in order to get out of their obligation to buy for around £25m.

Therefore, this final stretch in an attempt to qualify for Champions League football will be even more important, as Sancho’s form in that time could determine whether he is at the club next season or not. The Blues could be regretting one of their summer sales, who has played a mixture of roles on the left-hand side this season, finding some fine form over in France.

Chelsea's superb regret

Chelsea made plenty of sales in the summer, one of which saw Diego Moreira move to sister club Strasbourg, for a fee of around £1.7m, as Maresca ditched him from the squad.

The 20-year-old has made 28 appearances for the French outfit this season, scoring once, providing six assists and totaling 2,221 minutes played.

The Portuguese left-sided player has been used in a multitude of positions by manager Liam Rosenior, starting as a left-back 11 times, as a left-midfielder/left-winger 11 times, and even through the middle twice and on the right twice, showing his versatility.

Goals

0.04

0.10

0.14

Assists

0.24

0.31

0.08

xAG

0.26

0.20

0.07

Progressive Carries

3.46

5.22

1.16

Progressive Passes

2.91

4.47

3.60

Shots Total

1.06

1.09

0.64

Key Passes

1.03

1.82

0.56

Shot-Creating Actions

2.35

3.52

1.48

Tackles + Interceptions

2.70

0.63

2.76

Ball Recoveries

4.91

4.84

4.12

When looking at Moreira’s underlying metrics, and comparing him to both Chelsea’s left-back, Marc Cucurella, and left-winger, Sancho, you can see the creativity he could offer from both areas, whilst also fitting the man-to-man pressing scheme, making tackles and interceptions, whilst also having the most ball recoveries among the trio.

Jacek Kulig has praised the amazing form of Moreira playing for Strasbourg this season, labeling the youngster as “superb”. The 20-year-old star could have been an excellent depth piece for the Blues, being able to play as an overlapping fullback in the absence of Cucurella, whilst also being a natural winger through the youth ranks, making him an option to replace Sancho on the left, who has been out of form for some time now.

On the bright side, Moreira has developed nicely being a part of this young and expansive Strasbourg project, growing as a player. Chelsea are said to have a buy-back clause which was inserted into the deal when he was sold in the summer, so one day he could return to play a role for the Blues.

As it stands, though, Maresca messed up by brutally ditching him from Stamford Bridge last year because he could have been the Italian’s own hybrid of Cucurella and Sancho’s best qualities down the left flank.

Harry Maguire is looking to unwind on the back of a disastrous 2024-25 campaign, with the Manchester United defender joining his brother's stag do.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Red Devils endured nightmare seasonLooking to reset during summer breakPlayers are soaking up sun on vacationsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

England international Maguire formed part of the Red Devils squad that stumbled its way to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League. Ruben Amorim’s side also suffered defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final – leaving them without continental football for 2025-26.

AdvertisementGettyDID YOU KNOW?

Maguire, who has 64 caps to his name, was left out of the latest Three Lions squad – as Thomas Tuchel readies his troops for a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Andorra and a friendly date with Senegal.

THE GOSSIP

With Maguire’s schedule being cleared, he has been freed to link up with brother Laurence for a "boozy stag do" in Croatia. A group of 30-plus revellers have been soaking up the sunshine while visiting the iconic Zrce Beach party island.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

TELL ME MORE

Older Maguire brother, Joe, also formed part of the ‘Spring Break’ island parties. Laurence, who plays his club football for League Two outfit MK Dons, is preparing to tie the knot with long-term partner Amelia Johnson.

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly is said to be personally planning an offer to sign an in-form midfielder for Enzo Maresca this summer, with BlueCo’s transfer plans starting to take shape ahead of the 2025/2026 campaign.

BlueCo set to invest in new Chelsea midfield signing this summer

Maresca has been left short in the engine room at points throughout this season, with Roméo Lavia in particular suffering from various injury problems, resulting in the Belgian making just 10 Premier League appearances for Chelsea.

Chelsea constantly watching £66m "generational talent" who's at London club

The Blues have set their sights on a Premier League star…

ByDominic Lund Mar 10, 2025

Chelsea put pen to paper on a January deal for Mathis Amougou from Saint-Étienne to temporarily come in and hand Maresca another option in midfield, but the 19-year-old won’t be at Stamford Bridge for long, as the club plan to loan him out to sister club Strasbourg later this year (Fabrizio Romano).

Arsenal (away)

March 16th

Tottenham (home)

April 2nd

Brentford (away)

April 5th

Ipswich Town (home)

April 12th

Fulham (away)

April 19th

With Amougou set for a temporary stint back in Ligue 1 next term, Chelsea are planning to invest in the signing of a first-team midfielder, with Barcelona’s Gavi among their key targets for the role, according to some reports.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are also believed to remain keen on Man United starlet Kobbie Mainoo (CaughtOffside), after they weighed up a swoop in the January window. The England international’s contract expires in 2027, and he is currently lightyears behind United’s top earners in terms of salary.

There has still been no agreement over fresh terms at Old Trafford, with BlueCo sensing an opportunity to lure the teenage sensation to London. Chelsea reached out to Mainoo’s agents in the winter to express their interest, and it appears they still have the midfielder on their agenda.

That being said, a deal for him could still be tricky to pull off given his importance to the Red Devils, and they’re very unlikely to let him go for anything less than a high marquee transfer fee.

Chelsea are doing their homework on alternative targets as a result, with The Sun’s Alan Nixon revealing that Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham is turning heads at Cobham.

Todd Boehly lining up Chelsea bid to sign Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland

According to Nixon in The Sun, as quoted by TNT Sports, Chelsea chief Boehly is personally “lining up a bid” to sign Bellingham from Sunderland.

However, they could face stiff competition from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and last year’s Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund, who are both actively monitoring the younger brother of Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham.

Chelsea appear determined to win the race for his services, though, and are willing to top any bids made for the 19-year-old. The west Londoners are apparently looking to sign more domestic players for Maresca as well, and Bellingham fits the profile.

Sunderland could sell their star midfielder, who has racked up four goals and three assists in 32 Championship starts in their bid for promotion, but it is believed they value Bellingham at around £40 million.

Bellingham has been called a “powerful” player by Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris, and clubs are taking serious note of his form this campaign.

أعرب نادي برشلونة عن حزنه العميق لوفاة نجم ليفربول ديوجو جوتا وشقيقه أندريه سيلفا، في حادث سير مأساوي وقع في الساعات الأولى من صباح الأربعاء، بمحافظة زامورا الإسبانية.

وجاء في بيان مختصر نشره برشلونة عبر حساباته الرسمية: “يود نادي برشلونة أن يُعرب عن أحر تعازيه لوفاة لاعب ليفربول ديوجو جوتا وشقيقه أندريه، رحمهما الله”.

ويُعد هذا البيان لفتة إنسانية من النادي تجاه الحادث المفجع الذي هز الوسط الرياضي في أوروبا والعالم، في ظل الصدمة التي خلفها نبأ رحيل أحد أبرز نجوم ليفربول ومنتخب البرتغال في السنوات الأخيرة.

اقرأ أيضًا | برشلونة لا يمانع رحيل لاعبه في الميركاتو الصيفي.. وفليك يحسم الأمر

El FC Barcelona vol expressar el seu més sincer condol per la mort del futbolista del Liverpool Diogo Jota, i el seu germà André. Descansin en pau. — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) July 3, 2025

وكانت الشرطة الإسبانية قد كشفت، في بيان نقله هيئة الإذاعة البريطانية “BBC”، أن السيارة التي كان يستقلها جوتا وشقيقه، وهي من طراز لامبورجيني، خرجت عن الطريق واشتعلت فيها النيران بعد انفجار إطار أثناء عملية تجاوز لسيارة أخرى.

وتوفي اللاعبان في موقع الحادث، بينما تواصل السلطات التحقيق في الأسباب الكاملة للحادث، وسط حالة من الحزن الشديد التي خيمت على الأندية والجماهير وزملاء اللاعب في مختلف أنحاء العالم.

ديوجو جوتا، البالغ من العمر 28 عامًا، تُوج مؤخرًا بلقب دوري الأمم الأوروبية مع البرتغال، واحتفل بزفافه قبل عشرة أيام فقط من الحادث، قبل أن يختتم رحلته الحياتية بصورة مأساوية أثارت تعاطفًا عالميًا واسعًا.

Celtic progressed through to the last four of the SFA Cup on Sunday after they claimed a 2-0 victory over Hibernian in the quarter-final clash at Parkhead.

Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah found the back of the net in either half to secure the victory for the Hoops, who are in search of a domestic treble under Brendan Rodgers.

The Bhoys are 16 points clear of Rangers in the Scottish Premiership title race and won the League Cup earlier this term, which means that they are, essentially, only the SFA Cup away from clinching all three trophies.

Idah, as you can see in the clip above, made certain of the victory on Sunday with his flicked finish from close range after he came off the bench in the second half.

There was also yet another goal for Celtic’s Japanese dynamo at the top end of the pitch, as Maeda scored his fifth goal in three SFA Cup appearances this term.

Daizen Maeda's goalscoring form this season

The Japan international has racked up a staggering 27 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants so far this season, as he closes in on his first 30-goal season in a Celtic shirt.

His improvement at the top end of the pitch has been a joy to watch from a Hoops perspective this term, after his return of just ten goals and four assists in 36 matches in the 2023/24 campaign.

Maeda has already scored more than twice as many goals as he managed last season and has proven himself to be a reliable presence for Rodgers in the final third, whether he has operated on the left flank or in the middle as a centre-forward.

The 27-year-old star, who is currently valued at £6.7m by Transfermarkt, has vastly improved his output in front of goal in the Premiership, after he only managed a return of six goals in the top-flight last term.

Daizen Maeda (Premiership)	23/24	24/25
Appearances	28	26
Goals	6	12
Goals per 90	0.3	0.6
Big chances created	5	8
Assists	3	7
Key passes	15	32
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Maeda has played two fewer league games than he did last season, but has already scored more goals, created more ‘big chances’, and recorded more assists.

This shows that Rodgers has got the best out of the Japan international and helped him to be more ruthless and creative at the top end of the pitch, which speaks to the player’s desire to improve and the manager’s ability to develop his squad.

The Northern Irish head coach also helped Matt O’Riley to explode as a goalscoring threat after he arrived at Parkhead in the summer of 2023.

O’Riley scored three goals in 38 league matches under Ange Postecoglou in the 2022/23 campaign, before racking up an exceptional 18 goals in 37 Premiership matches from midfield under Rodgers last season.

The former Liverpool and Leicester boss knows how to unlock the goalscoring touch for his players and he may already have his next project, his next Maeda and O’Riley, brewing in Hyun-jun Yang.

Hyun-jun Yang's Celtic potential

The South Korean youngster came off the bench against Hibernian and got himself into a good position to score for the Hoops, but scuffed his effort and failed to find the back of the net.

Chalkboard

67HailHail described him as a ‘supersub’, handing him a rating of 6/10 for his cameo, and it has been clear to see the improvement in his play in the final third this season, even if he did not take his opportunity to score on Sunday.

The 22-year-old, who arrived from Gangwon in the summer of 2023 for just £2m, endured a fairly difficult first season in Glasgow, but has adjusted to football and life in Scotland brilliantly now.

Yang racked up just one goal and three assists in his 31 appearances in all competitions for the Premiership giants, which is far from an impressive return for a winger who is expected to contribute at the top end of the pitch.

Hyun-jun Yang (Celtic)	23/24	24/25
Appearances	31	27
Minutes	1,278	1,041
Goals	1	5
Assists	3	6
Minutes per goal/assist	320	95
Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, the South Korea international’s form has vastly improved in the current campaign, after having a year to settle in, as he has racked up 11 goal contributions in 27 matches.

A goal or an assist every 95 minutes is a mind-blowing improvement on his return of one every 320 minutes in the 2023/24 campaign and shows that the young attacker is heading in the right direction.

It shows that Rodgers and his coaching team have done a terrific job with him on the training pitch over the last 18 months or so, whilst also showing that Yang is determined to improve and develop as a player by working hard and taking his opportunities when they come.

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph described the forward as a “raw” player with “real potential” last month, which is a good way to sum up where he is at in his Celtic career right now.

Yang is behind the likes of Nicolas Kuhn, Jota, and Maeda in the wide areas but he still has plenty of time on his hands, at the age of 22, and his statistics show that the winger is heading in the right direction.

Rodgers has shown, with Maeda and O’Riley, that he can improve attackers and knows when and when not to unleash them at the right times, which is why patience is required with Yang.

It may not happen this season, or even next season, but if the Hoops are patient and allow the South Korean gem the time he needs to develop and thrive at Parkhead, the club could have their next attacking sensation on their hands.

Worth more than Tierney: Celtic must regret losing "amazing" star for £0

The former Celtic youngster is now worth even more than Kieran Tierney.

1

By
Dan Emery

Mar 10, 2025

Of course, it is now down to Yang to continue on his path of improvement and ensure that he takes his chances when they come his way, so that Rodgers can trust him in important moments and matches moving forward.

Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly "monitoring" Antony as Erik ten Hag plots a reunion with the Manchester United flop who thrived at Real Betis.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Antony joined Man Utd for over £80m
• Struggled to find his feet at Old Trafford
• Likely to be sold in the summer

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Brazilian, who arrived at Old Trafford under Ten Hag's leadership in 2022 for a fee exceeding £80 million, is now being evaluated as a potential addition by his former manager in the Bundesliga, as revealed by While Leverkusen's interest in Antony is still at an early stage, the Dutchman's familiarity with the 24-year-old could be a decisive factor should talks progress.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Antony's stint in Spain, however, reignited interest in his talent. The winger netted nine goals in 24 starts across all competitions, establishing himself as a reliable contributor in Betis' campaign, firing them to the final of the Conference League.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Leverkusen's interest in Antony is, in part, due to the growing uncertainty surrounding the future of Florian Wirtz. The Germany international has emerged as one of the most sought-after young midfielders in Europe, with Liverpool leading the race to sign him. The Merseyside club recently tabled a £105m ($143m) offer for Wirtz, although Leverkusen are holding out for closer to €150m (£126m/$171m). Should that deal go through, Leverkusen will need to act swiftly to fill the creative void Wirtz would leave behind.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ANTONY?

  Adding to the competition for Antony’s signature, Italian giants Juventus are also believed to be weighing a formal move. The Serie A club placed the winger on their radar earlier in 2025 and are reportedly mulling over whether to escalate their interest with a concrete bid.