All posts by n8rngtd.top

Despite the Premier League’s PSR deadlines approaching, Aston Villa have now reportedly opened talks to sign a former Championship midfielder in a deal worth £17m this summer.

Aston Villa closing in on PSR deadline

As things stand, Aston Villa have five days to ensure that they comply with the PSR rules on June 30. The Midlands club are already set to sell Philippe Coutinho to Vasco da Gama, but there remain question marks over whether that will be enough to keep them within the PSR guidelines. Of course, if it’s not, then Villa face a hectic few days.

To that end, the Villans still have a number of players who could be sacrificed. Reports have suggested in recent days that the likes of Lucas Digne and even Emiliano Martinez could be among those reluctantly shown the door in a last-ditch attempt to ease their off-pitch troubles.

Martinez’s departure would be particularly frustrating if it is Manchester United that take full advantage. Losing one of Unai Emery’s best players would be an undeniable blow and losing that same player to a Premier League rival would only add salt to that painful wound.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire recently delivered his verdict on Villa’s PSR problems, telling Sky Sports earlier this month: “I think of the 20 Premier League clubs, Villa are the ones who we’re most concerned about.

“Last season, when they did qualify for the Champions League, for every £100 of revenue that Aston Villa brought in, they spent £91 on wages. Those players will have had contract step-ups for qualifying for the Champions League.”

He's Rashford 2.0: Emery wants Aston Villa to sign "special" £42m star

Aston Villa might not be able to resign Rashford next summer

By
Joe Nuttall

Jun 24, 2025

Missing out on Champions League football on the final day of last season could see Aston Villa suffer a major setback if they do not sanction at least one more sale in the coming days. If reports are anything to go by, however, their PSR problems are not standing in the way of any attempt to welcome incomings this summer.

Aston Villa make contact to sign Gabriel Sara

According to Calcio Mercato’s Santi Aouna, Aston Villa have now held talks to sign Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray and have also held separate talks over deals to sell both Digne and Martinez to the Turkish club this summer.

Although separate deals, Aston Villa and Galatasaray could work together to appease all parties involved. Those in the Midlands could get the sales they so desperately need while Galatasaray could receive part of the funding to make such deals happen through the sale of Sara to Villa Park.

The Turkish giants reportedly value their versatile midfielder at around €20m (£17m) in a deal that could finally see Sara receive his Premier League chance one year on from leaving Championship side Norwich City.

Described as “incredible” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, It was during his time at Norwich that Sara impressed the most – scoring 14 goals and creating another 13 in all competitions in his final season at the club.

Liverpool kicked off their pre-season with a 3-1 win over Preston North End. The result didn’t matter. This was an occasion for Diogo Jota, with the two clubs coming together to celebrate and commemorate a wonderful man who will forever be woven into Liverpool’s history, forever a part of Anfield.

The football was secondary, but it was a chance for fans to see the fruits of sporting director Richard Hughes’ labours in the transfer market, with wide duo Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong catching the eye.

Kerkez, signed from Bournemouth for £40m, looks an absolute menace, so lively and sharp. Replacing Andy Robertson, 31, should have been a daunting thing, but the Reds have hit the jackpot here.

Frimpong, too, shone, using his blistering speed and underrated intelligence to great effect, winning three of four duels and completing his one attempted dribble, as per Sofascore.

Giorgi Mamardashvili also exuded control between the sticks, but it wasn’t just the new boys who caught the eye, with Cody Gakpo looking good to continue his rise under Arne Slot’s wing.

Cody Gakpo's performance vs Preston

Last season, pundit Peter Crouch noted that Gakpo had “gone up a level” with Slot at the helm, going from strength to strength as he performed in a fixed attacking role off the left flank, as opposed to the shuffle-about role he had for Jurgen Klopp.

Against Preston, Gakpo continued that impressive role, seeing plenty of the ball and converting a well-taken goal that led to an emotional celebration.

The 25-year-old will be desperate to prove to his manager that he deserves another season in a prominent position at Anfield, having scored 18 goals and provided seven assists across 49 matches last year.

However, with Luis Diaz potentially being sold this summer, Bayern Munich reported to have agreed personal terms with the versatile Colombian forward, Slot is within his rights to want more depth out on the wing.

And the man the Dutch coach has in mind might just have the quality to supersede Gakpo.

Liverpool lining up new forward

According to reports from Spain, Liverpool are planning to make an offer for Real Madrid star Rodrygo this summer, potentially using the non-committal Ibrahima Konate as leverage in a potential one-in, one-out deal.

Rodrygo has been considered among the world’s leading forwards for several years, but he’s struggled of late with Real, having been pushed to the backbenches since Xabi Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti.

Another Spanish outlet, AS, have also chimed in, revealing that Rodrygo has a price tag of €100m (£86m). Los Blancos might be willing to sell their long-serving winger, but only on their terms.

Time will tell whether Hughes and Michael Edwards can engineer a deal that checks out for Liverpool. Arsenal are also keen, though, so swiftness is important here.

Why Liverpool want Rodrygo

Rodrygo would be the first to admit that he endured a frustrating 2024/25 campaign, but having chalked up 14 goals and 11 assists across all competitions, it’s clear he’s got a high bar, which leaves even poor seasons above that of many other forwards across Europe.

His former teammate, Luka Modric, actually called him a “world-class superstar” once, and with a longing for a permanent place on the left wing, Rodrygo could find that Liverpool would be the perfect new home for him, should Diaz be sold in the coming weeks.

Given that the Brazil international was fielded out on the right for the majority of the 2024/25 campaign in spite of his preference to play on the opposite flank, maximising his potency, he did well.

Moreover, he’s a big-game star, something Liverpool will need as they challenge for the biggest prizes once more.

Rodrygo’s arrival wouldn’t prove detrimental for Gakpo; Diaz and the Dutchman cohabited in the Reds first team last year.

But there’s a sense that Liverpool would be signing an upgrade on the former PSV Eindhoven talent, one who could dynamise and expand Slot’s vision as the Reds chase down more success.

Looking at how Gakpo in the Premier League and Rodrygo in La Liga compared last season, you’d have to say that the wide range of qualities leans toward the Brazilian’s favour, even though he flattered to deceive by his standards.

Moreover, he might have only scored six times, but the 24-year-old also missed only one big chance, underscoring his value as a prolific outlet.

Journalist Sam Tighe once backed this up when calling Rodrygo “terrifyingly good” in front of goal, so deadly when fit and on form.

The fact that Rodrygo managed to score six goals and supply six assists from the left side of Real Madrid’s frontline probably tells you all you need to know, for Ancelotti actually gave him just 12 appearances from that flank.

A duo of Gakpo and Rodrygo contesting for the ascendancy in Slot’s system would only be a good thing. But if Rodrygo is given the grounds to grow his confidence, he might just find himself eclipsing Gakpo, bringing athletic completeness to marry into a natural-born bent for goalscoring which has perhaps yet to even be fully realised on the professional stage.

Slot's next Wirtz: Liverpool in contact to sign "the new Haaland" for £78m

Liverpool are planning to sign a new striker in the summer transfer market.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 14, 2025

Manchester United are looking to add to their squad while not overstepping the mark financially, and they have now reportedly made an enquiry for a Brazil international, according to reports.

Man Utd eye shock Dominic Calvert-Lewin deal

The Red Devils and INEOS are looking to add to the pack after Matheus Cunha’s arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers and find themselves pushing to land Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. Diego Leon has also finalised his move to the club.

Reports suggest a deal could be finalised by Monday that would see the Cameroon international head to Old Trafford. At the same time, Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins and Nigeria hitman Victor Osimhen have also been touted as potential offensive recruits.

However, Manchester United could sign free agent Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a squad rotation option. However, journalist Ben Jacobs believes he may need to lower his wage demands before a deal for the ex-Everton striker can become viable.

He stated: “Calvert-Lewin’s wage demands are very high, and therefore it is unlikely that Man United will move in that direction unless the demands decrease or they have a hole in the squad later in the window. As a free agent, the player will be rigid on his demands.”

Premier League experience will become paramount for the Red Devils in their rebuilding phase. Ruben Amorim is likely to have one game a week to manage most weeks, offering the possibility of focusing solely on the club’s league position without external commitments.

INEOS make £320m: AI predicts players Manchester United will sell this summer

It could be a busy summer ahead of Ruben Amorim’s first full season in charge.

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By
Charlie Smith

Jun 21, 2025

Cup football will also present a chance at silverware. Nevertheless, there is plenty of work to be done in the market before Manchester United are back challenging for honours, though their latest pursuit wouldn’t be a bad step in the right direction.

Man Utd make Douglas Luiz enquiry

According to reports relayed by FootballTransfers, Manchester United and therefore INEOS have submitted an enquiry regarding Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz’s availability following a frustrating campaign that has seen the Brazil international be placed on the transfer list.

Everton and Fulham are also in pursuit of the ex-Aston Villa man, who made 27 appearances across all competitions for the Old Lady last season.

He has previously been lauded as a “very underrated” engine room presence by Paul Merson, with the former Arsenal man claiming Luiz was every bit as good as the likes of Declan Rice and Rodri while he plied his trade in the West Midlands.

Earning £138,000 per week in Turin, there is also talk that Luiz could be used as a part of a swap deal that would see Juventus land Jadon Sancho, albeit aforementioned striker Vlahovic is also mentioned, making the saga a possibility and nothing more.

Injury problems hampered the 27-year-old last term, and a return to the English top-flight could now be on the cards, though there would be other considerations to take into account for Manchester United.

Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte are two existing deeper-lying midfield options, while Kobbie Mainoo can also operate in the six, so Amorim would potentially need to think about cutting someone loose to ensure his side had the space to acquire Luiz.

Christian Eriksen remains a free agent after leaving Manchester United, with the Danish midfielder training with Malmo to stay fit. The 33-year-old reportedly turned down Wrexham and has now been criticised by Thomas Gravesen, who called his decisions 'incomprehensible' and questioned whether he still has the ambition to play at the highest level.

• Eriksen slammed for “incomprehensible” choice to train with Malmo
• Ex-Denmark star Gravesen questions midfielder’s ambition and future
• Wrexham's interest was rejected as the free agent continues to wait

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Eriksen’s Manchester United contract expired in the summer, and he has yet to secure a new club. Wrexham and Burnley were linked, but he chose to train with Malmo as he remains a free agent. His future remains unclear as the season progresses, and former Real Madrid and Denmark star Gravesen has revealed his frustration at Eriksen's choices this summer.

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  WHAT GRAVESEN SAID

  Speaking to Danish outlet Fotboll Skanalen, Gravesen said: "It is incomprehensible to me that he chooses Malmo. It is not a club that he can go to because he cannot sign a contract with them and we have some clubs in Denmark that are much, much better than Malmo.

  "This looks like a friendly thing, where Christian Eriksen is over and having fun with some friends. Where is the ambition to play football?

  "We talk about him being without a club for three months, but he has been without a club since January because he has been able to sign a contract with a new club ever since. He has been dragging his feet on it for a long time.

  "If he wants to play for the national team, what signal does this send? What signal does going up and having fun with friends in Malmo send?

  "I don't understand it. It seems frivolous in some ways. If he had ambitions, he would have gone to a higher-level club.

  "For me, it is not ambitious enough to go to Malmo and have fun. Who sees him there?"

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Eriksen has enjoyed an illustrious career with Tottenham Hotspur, Inter and Manchester United, but doubts are now growing about his hunger to continue at the top. Training with Malmo has disappointed Danish fans who expected him to join a more competitive club and secure his spot in the Danish side ahead of the World Cup in 2026. As such, his international future could be at risk if the situation drags on.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ERIKSEN?

  As a free agent, Eriksen can still sign outside the window. His next move will decide whether he extends his career at a high level or fades away. Whether he chooses to return to Denmark, explore opportunities elsewhere in Europe, or consider an unexpected move like Wrexham, remains to be seen. His next step will likely determine if he can continue competing at the international level or fade into the background.

Chelsea could potentially strike an exchange of players pretty soon, as one club open talks over signing a “clinical” Blues ace who’s not thought to be in Enzo Maresca’s long-term plans.

Bayern believe they can sign Chelsea star who Maresca 'loves' for just £35m

The Bavarians sense an opportunity.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 23, 2025

Given Maresca’s desire to continue reinforcing the squad in key areas, combined with Chelsea’s need to sell surplus squad members, there are credible reports that exchanges could be a key transfer method at Stamford Bridge over the coming weeks.

Chelsea are under pressure from UEFA to balance out the squad with exits after they were fined for breaking FFP rules recently (Kaveh Solhekol), but Maresca is believed to want another major attacking signing following his side’s struggles against teams in the low block last season (Simon Phillips).

Therefore, ‘unofficial swap deals’ are something to watch out for, as it would allow Chelsea to accomplish both of those feats simultaneously.

“Unofficial swap deals are something Chelsea and other clubs have done a lot of lately to help balance the books of both clubs and keep within PSR rules,” wrote journalist Simon Phillips, vis his Substack, recently.

“They make sense, really, and help both clubs get deals done. They aren’t swap deals as such, more like favour for a favour separate deals. Chelsea are still weighing up some opportunities for this.”

Earlier in the window, it was believed that this could happen with Christopher Nkunku heading to Man United and Alejandro Garnacho going the other way (Daily Telegraph), but it is now much more likely that another exchange materialises.

Chelsea are in active pursuit of RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons, and it is believed that talks have been held with all sides as BlueCo attempt to make the Dutchman their fourth major signing of the summer after Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro.

Now, as per Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Leipzig’s serious emerging interest in midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka could present an opportunity for Maresca’s side to add Simons whilst trimming their bloated books.

RB Leipzig pushing to sign Carney Chukwuemeka with Chelsea talks opened

Plettenberg, taking to X, states that Leipzig are now “pushing” to sign Chukwuemeka and have opened talks with Chelsea, so it could soon be a case of one in, one out at Cobham.

The former Aston Villa gem spent the second half of 2024/2025 impressing on loan at Borussia Dortmund, with their sporting director, Sebastien Kehl, recently confirming their intention to bring him back for next season.

However, Dortmund now face being hijacked by their Bundesliga rivals, and dealing with Leipzig over Chukwuemeka instead will suit Chelsea down to the ground, especially amid the Premier League side’s attempts to sign their highty-rated forward.

Called a “clinical” player by Marcel Desailly, Chukwuemeka appears destined for a return to the German top flight either way.

Reports have suggested that Chelsea want as much as £40 million for the Englishman, but there’s plenty of reason for BlueCo to ease up on their financial demands in an attempt to sweeten ‘separate’ talks for Simons.

Manchester United are honing in on targets to strengthen under Ruben Amorim and could now turn to a star with top-flight pedigree to put pressure on Andre Onana between the sticks, per a report.

Manchester United narrow down hunt for new additions

Without a doubt, news that Manchester United have narrowed down their striker shortlist to Benjamin Sesko or Ollie Watkins has sparked mass debate among supporters over who would be the best fit for their forward line.

Speaking on the Devils’ Advocate podcast, Gaz Drinkwater believes Sesko would need to prove himself at Old Trafford, albeit he also noted he is a better alternative than Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee to fill the attacking void.

He stated: “He is absolutely better than what we have got, but whether he can transfer what he has done before into the Premier League is a totally different question.

“He is young as well – maybe we need a bit more experience up front. I’m not talking about someone like Jamie Vardy, but someone with a bit more experience I would like.”

Intriguingly, Manchester United had been known admirers of Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani. However, it now appears he won’t be headed for Old Trafford after successful loan spell at Juventus.

Man Utd eye £38m move for rising star who was worth just £600k last summer

United are now among the English teams who have their eye on a defender impressing in Italy.

By
Brett Worthington

Jul 28, 2025

Either way, addressing the need for a striker isn’t the only priority Amorim has to consider, especially when factoring in Andre Onana’s precarious position at the club.

Competition for places is key if Manchester United are to have a revival season after a dismal showing last term, and they may now have identified a candidate to push the Cameroon international for a starting slot.

Manchester United plotting surprise Nick Pope move

According to talkSPORT, Manchester United could turn to Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope in the event Aaron Ramsdale moves from Southampton to St James’ Park this window.

The latter is reportedly close to swapping the South Coast for the North East, leaving Pope ‘vulnerable’ as he enters the last year of his deal under Eddie Howe.

Earning £60,000 per week at Newcastle, the 33-year-old is said to fit the ‘profile’ needed to offer a genuine challenge to Onana. Leeds United were also keen on the England international before they opted to sign Lucas Perri from Ligue 1 outfit Lyon.

Dubbed a “top-class goalkeeper” by Howe, Pope kept nine clean sheets in 32 appearances across all competitions last term, though he has caught fire for his distribution from a section of Magpies’ supporters.

Nevertheless, the former Burnley man is likely an affordable addition for Manchester United and still has plenty to offer in the Premier League should Amorim opt to roll the dice.

Bayer Leverkusen managing director Fernando Carro admitted the club made a mistake in hiring Erik ten Hag, but claims they reacted in a timely manner by sacking the Dutch coach after just two matches. That was followed by the appointment of former Denmark national team manager Kasper Hjulmand, who guided Leverkusen to a 3-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt in his first game in charge.

• Leverkusen's brutal start under Ten Hag

  Ten Hag was sacked after disappointing performances against league rivals Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen. The sacking of the Dutch manager came as a shock, but managing director Carro says the club were right to let him go, reiterating the sentiments of sporting director Simon Rolfes. Reportedly, the club were furious about Ten Hag pushing to sign players from his agency, and they further argued that the coach's tactics and handling of the dressing room didn't inspire confidence in them.

  For his part, Ten Hag blamed his early exit on the extensive overhaul the Bundesliga team has undergone, with a host of star players leaving and many new faces being added to the squad.

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  Leverkusen managing director calls Ten hag's signing a mistake

  In an interview with the program, managing director Carro spoke about sacking Ten Hag, saying: "I would clearly describe this as a mistake on our part. Nevertheless, such things can happen. Anyone who makes personnel decisions knows that. It's annoying, but a normal matter that we handled professionally. It's nothing serious. When a mistake is made, you have to react in a timely manner."

• Nine-man Leverkusen beat Eintracht Frankfurt

  Leverkusen sealed their first win of the season under new boss Hjulmand on Saturday. The German team saw two red cards handed out to midfielder Robert Andrich in the 59th minute and Equi Fernandez in the dying minutes of the game. Left wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo was named the man of the match as he scored two direct free kicks. 

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  Leverkusen to kick off their Champions League campaign next

  Bayer will now be flying to Denmark to face Copenhagen in their opening fixture of the Champions League on September 18.

Tottenham are widely reported to be in talks with Man City over a deal for Brazilian winger Savinho, but Thomas Frank still needs to strengthen other areas of the Spurs squad.

Late Sunday evening, reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano broke the news that Spurs opened club-to-club negotiations with City to sign Savinho – coming soon after they lost club legend Son Heung-min to LAFC.

Son brought an emotional end to his 10-year stay in N17, waving goodbye to the club during an emotional final game against Newcastle in Seoul, with the South Korean since being unveiled to MLS supporters as the division’s most expensive ever arrival.

The 33-year-old was both a standout attacking linchpin on the field and leader behind-the-scenes, but Frank is now forced to cope without Son’s presence ahead of his first full campaign in charge of the north Londoners.

Tottenham quite simply need an out-and-out replacement for the winger, and Savinho fits the bill.

The South American is adept at playing both in Son’s position and on the right-wing, bagging 13 assists in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side last season over 48 appearances.

Savinho helped to set up two goals across two games against north London rivals Arsenal last season as well, and only Jeremy Doku managed more successful dribbles per 90 out of every City player in the Premier League last season.

The former Girona star’s pace and directness could be a major asset to Frank as the Dane looks to compete on four fronts next term, and despite reports of a rumoued Tottenham bid for Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, it appears Savinho is now their priority wide target.

However, given James Maddison will be out for the majority of 2025/2026 after rupturing his ACL, Spurs are also in need of a natural number 10.

Savinho actually played the role for City on two occasions last campaign – against Salford City in the FA Cup and Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup – but he isn’t exactly an experienced, proven playmaker.

Eberechi Eze forced to consider joining Tottenham as Arsenal deal stalls

According to TEAMtalk, £100,000-per-week Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze remains on Spurs’ radar as a potential option.

There are credible reports that Savinho may not be Tottenham’s only late summer deal (Fabrizio Romano), and their glaring need for a CAM means we surely cannot rule out a deal for Eze.

The 27-year-old has been repeatedly linked with a move to Arsenal for the last month, but the Gunners are hesitating to make a formal bid for him – meaning the door is still open for Tottenham to submit an offer of their own.

Despite his eagerness to join Arsenal, TT claim Eze is ‘forced to consider’ other clubs as Mikel Arteta’s side stall – and Tottenham have apparently gained significant momentum as an alternative.

Daniel Levy is also informed of the conditions of a possible deal for the England international, and the club have shown a growing willingness to explore it in recent days.

Eze managed more shots at goal, key passes and successful takes-ons per match than any other Palace player last season, and he’s arguably perfect to fill the void left by Maddison considering he’d also help to fill Tottenham’s ‘locally trained’ Champions League quota.

The ex-QPR sensation would cost in excess of £60m, according to TT, and given Tottenham were once ready to splash a similar amount on Morgan Gibbs-White, it could be a cost that Spurs are open to paying.

The esteemed Golden Ball has been elusive to so many great footballers down the years, but who deserved it the most?

Back in 1995, the Ballon d'Or became eligible to non-European players for the first time, which helped it to become the most sought-after award in the sport. A grand total of 17 players have won it since then, including African icon George Weah, Brazilian quartet Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka, and Argentine maestro Lionel Messi, who has dominated the vote over the last 16 years with a record haul of eight wins.

Meanwhile, Portuguese goal machine Cristiano Ronaldo has brought the Golden Ball back to Europe on five occasions, and Mathias Sammer, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Michael Owen, Pavel Nedved, Andriy Shevchenko, Fabio Cannavaro, Luka Modric, Karim Benzema and Rodri have each claimed the prestigious prize once. All of those players were deserving winners, too, but so were many of the superstars they beat to the top of the podium.

As we edge closer to the 2025 winner being crowned, GOAL has ranked the top 10 greatest footballers to never win the Ballon d'Or, starting with a man who scored a whopping 573 career goals on his way to lifting 34 trophies…

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  10Zlatan Ibrahimovic

  Indeed, only six players in history have won more trophies than Zlatan Ibrahimovic, which is a testament to his insatiable hunger for victory and longevity at the highest level. The indomitable striker won 11 league titles in four different countries, and he is third in the list of the highest scoring players this century behind Messi and Ronaldo, with 62 of his goals coming at international level with an unfancied Sweden team.

  Despite all of that, Ibrahimovic's highest finish in the Ballon d'Or voting was only fourth, which he managed at PSG in 2014. The former Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, AC Milan and Manchester United striker's failure to win the Champions League, or even reach the final, always counted against him, but he did still find the net 48 times across 124 appearances, and is the only player to ever score for six different clubs in the competition.

  Ibrahimovic was also a maverick with a penchant for the spectacular. He made the impossible possible and had a larger-than-life personality that made him pure box office. There were plenty of other contenders for the final spot on the list, including Francesco Totti, Dennis Bergkamp, Alessandro Del Piero, Roberto Carlos, Samuel Eto'o, and Gianluigi Buffon, but Ibrahimovic gets the nod for being a one-of-a-kind genius who set incredible standards of consistency.

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  9Raul

  Raul Gonzalez is regarded as one of the finest players to ever wear the iconic Real Madrid shirt, having scored 228 goals in 550 appearances for the club between 1994 and 2010. The Spanish centre-forward was a deadly finisher with both feet and had unrivalled instincts in and around the box, which were invaluable to Madrid during their runs to Champions League glory in 1997-98, 1999-2000 and 2001-02.

  Real also amassed six La Liga titles with Raul leading the line, including when he was at the peak of his powers in the 2000-21 season. He won the Golden Boot with 24 goals and also finished as top scorer in the Champions League, but narrowly missed out on the 2021 Ballon d'Or to Liverpool frontman Michael Owen.

  Owen was acknowledged for firing Liverpool to an FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup treble, but only hit 24 goals in all competitions compared to Raul's 32. The Real icon, who also racked up 102 appearances and 44 career goals for Spain, was the best player in Europe that year. It could also be argued that Raul didn't always get his due credit in Madrid's Galactico era, despite his quality in the final third never wavering and his underrated leadership skills as captain.

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  8Paolo Maldini

  Only one defender was worthy of a place in these rankings: the elegant, unflappable AC Milan and Italy legend Paolo Maldini. was an expert reader of the game with remarkable stamina and strength, which meant he rarely came off second best in one-v-one situations, and he was versatile enough to operate as both a centre-back and left-back.

  “There are great players and there are world-class players. Then there are those who manage to go beyond that term. Paolo is the perfect example," former Italy international Del Piero once said in what was also a "perfect" assessment of Maldini. There has never been a more complete defender, and probably never will be.

  Maldini's career achievements back that up, with five Champions League crowns and seven Serie A titles amassed across his 25-year stint at Milan, while he also earned runners-up medals with Italy at both the World Cup and European Championship. Few players have left a bigger imprint on the game than Maldini, and he should really have claimed multiple Ballons d'Or, but incredibly, he only made it onto the podium once, on the back of a masterclass in Milan's 2003 Champions League final win over Juventus.

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  7Xavi

  Xavi Hernandez was the heartbeat of the greatest club and international sides ever, a masterful deep-lying playmaker who was always one step ahead of everyone else on the pitch. The diminutive midfielder won the Champions League four times and La Liga on eight occasions during his 17-year career at Barcelona, while also leading Spain to back-to-back European Championships and the World Cup.

  Between 2009 and 2012, Barca and Spain were both unstoppable, and Xavi came third in the Ballon d'Or voting in each of those years behind overall winner Messi. The Argentine prevailed through the strength of his insane number of goal contributions and individual flair, but Xavi was unfortunate not to finish above his Barca team-mate at least once.

  Xavi's work in the middle of the park was never anything less than immaculate, and without him controlling the tempo of games, Barca would not have been nearly so dominant, but it went under the radar. As a team player, Xavi had no equal. As former Spain and Man Utd midfielder Ander Herrera said in a fitting tribute to Xavi after his departure from Barca in 2015: "There won’t be another player like him. The style of Barcelona and the national team was forged through him."

USMNT icons Tim Howard and Landon Donovan have both praised New York City FC's decision to sign goalkeeper Matt Freese to a contract extension through 2030. The 27-year-old shot-stopper, who has established himself as a key player for both club and the U.S. over the past year, reportedly becomes the third-highest paid goalkeeper in MLS with this new deal.

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  'Glad he got paid'

  Howard specifically highlighted the goalkeeper's national team trajectory, stating that Freese has as good a chance as any to be the starting goalkeeper at next year's World Cup.

  “Congratulations, get paid, get paid bro," Howard said on podcast. "That’s a nice long contract, and oh, by the way, he saved another penalty kick this weekend as well. Because, as he says, from his own mouth, 'it’s what he does,' which is incredible. So I’m starting to believe it’s what he does.

  “Look, I’m glad he got paid, it’s actually the right time. I think he’s earned it, I think there’s a good chance, or as good a chance as any that he’ll be No. 1 at the World Cup. Smart by them [NYCFC] because if he then gets sold on or has a good World Cup or whatever the situation is, they’ll be compensated on the back end for that."

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• Strategic benefits for both player and club

  Howard pointed to the multiple advantages the contract extension creates for both Freese and NYCFC. The former USMNT goalkeeper noted how the long-term agreement provides Freese with stability moving forward in his career while simultaneously protecting the club's interests.

  “For Matt, this’ll give him really good stability I’m guessing,” Howard explained. “I haven’t seen the exact numbers yet but it’ll give him good financial stability moving forward. And then again, protects the club because he’s on the rise, right? There’s not a ton of good goalkeepers out there in the world, and if he’s on the world stage playing and does well, people are going to be interested.”

• Donovan celebrates MLS evolution

  Donovan also framed Freese's contract as evidence of MLS's positive development. The former Galaxy star expressed enthusiasm about how the league has transformed from its earlier iterations to now properly rewarding players who perform at a high level.

  “I love this in MLS now…If a guy does well, you reward him and listen, it’s smart business by NYCFC," he said. “If he blows up, if he has a Tim Howard tournament or game like you did in 2014 against Belgium, like the world’s his oyster, and they can sell him for a lot of money. So it’s great for him…I’m just happy that a guy is getting rewarded in the right way, and kudos to NYCFC for taking care of a player who has been good to them.”

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  Road ahead

  Freese and NYCFC will face Inter Miami on Wednesday night,  followed by a derby against New York Red Bulls on Sept. 27.