Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developmen...

Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points to emerge from the slate of matches. Below, we dissect Matchweek 25 of the 2024-25 season.<h3>What's behind rise in goalkeeper assists?</h3>Ederson became the goalkeeper with the most assists in Premier League history (six) and broke the record for the most in a single campaign (three) when his searching ball culminated with the first of Omar Marmoush's three goals in Manchester City's 4-0 win over Newcastle United. Brighton &amp; Hove Albion's Bart Verbruggen got an assist Friday when his whack upfield was excellently tamed by Kaoru Mitoma and then steered into the bottom corner of Chelsea's net.Brentford's Mark Flekken, Fulham's Bernd Leno, and Everton's Jordan Pickford have also supplied assists this season.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Taking such a direct route to goal appears to be a trend rather than an anomaly. The current number of assists by a goalkeeper this season is seven, which is the most since eight were tallied over the full 2007-08 campaign. The season average was just two over the 10 years preceding this term.It's not hit-and-hope, ugly, mid-1900s English hoofball, though. Goalkeepers playing it short rose in popularity after Pep Guardiola dumped Joe Hart for the ill-fated Claudio Bravo at City in 2016, and that tactic remains popular in the Premier League. However, modern goalkeepers now have the ability and vision to pick their moments to send raking, and often accurate, passes toward their attackers.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770705/cropped_GettyImages-2199064338.jpg?ts=1739639419" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770705/w220xh124_GettyImages-2199064338.jpg?ts=1739639419 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770705/w320xh180_GettyImages-2199064338.jpg?ts=1739639419 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770705/w640xh360_GettyImages-2199064338.jpg?ts=1739639419 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770705/w768xh432_GettyImages-2199064338.jpg?ts=1739639419 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770705/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2199064338.jpg?ts=1739639419 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Ball-playing 'keepers aren't the only factor behind the rise in route-one assists. Long balls would be aimed at physical, but not necessarily quick, target men in the more traditional form of English football; now, teams are trying to catch out the high defensive lines regularly deployed in the top flight with deliveries over the top that pacey and technically gifted forwards can race onto and control.Perhaps this trend is also a byproduct of the congested schedule: There's less time on the training ground to compose intricate playing patterns. As a result, more balls are simply being pinged from goalkeeper to attacker, quickly toward the wingers (like at Nottingham Forest), or, at the other end of the scale, straight to the other team or out of play (Crystal Palace). And, obviously, direct passing can be an effective way to prey on the mental and physical fatigue of opponents.The rise of goalkeeper assists is a modern take on an English classic. Somewhere, Sam Allardyce is patting himself on the back.<h3>Quick free-kicks 📝</h3>Arsenal holding it togetherThe "how" doesn't matter right now for Mikel Arteta. Injury-ravaged Arsenal need wins any way they can secure them to keep pace with Liverpool. Some days that'll mean getting a late brace off the bench from makeshift striker Mikel Merino to beat one of the league's worst teams. Three points is three points. It's fair to question and critique Arsenal's decision not to sign another No. 9 in January, but any team would struggle to score with all four of its best forwards sidelined simultaneously with long-term ailments. That the Gunners labored in their 2-0 win over Leicester City wasn't a surprise. At this point in the season, and with a title on the line as Liverpool start to show the first signs of vulnerability, the process is largely irrelevant. Just win, baby.... but Liverpool pulled off the same trickWolverhampton Wanderers were much better than Liverpool after the interval Sunday. The visitors pulled a goal back through Matheus Cunha's beautiful curler from the edge of the area and had nine more shots in the second half as they tried to level. Liverpool didn't record a single shot after the break - the first time that's happened to the Reds in a Premier League fixture since Opta started tracking efforts on goal in the 2006-07 campaign. But aside from the morale boost that a positive display can give Wolves for the rest of their survival mission, nothing else matters aside from a 2-1 win that maintained Liverpool's seven-point lead at the summit. "It says a lot (that) we kept fighting and kept going and got the three points," captain Virgil van Dijk told <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c78w071g71gt?post=asset%3Aec82f650-fe31-48d5-b31b-3b44925ed00a#post">BBC Sport</a> post-match.'Light at the end of the tunnel'<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767178/cropped_GettyImages-2195299774.jpg?ts=1737835587" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767178/w220xh124_GettyImages-2195299774.jpg?ts=1737835587 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767178/w320xh180_GettyImages-2195299774.jpg?ts=1737835587 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767178/w640xh360_GettyImages-2195299774.jpg?ts=1737835587 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767178/w768xh432_GettyImages-2195299774.jpg?ts=1737835587 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767178/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2195299774.jpg?ts=1737835587 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Yui Mok - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</figcaption></figure>After three wins in 19 matches, Everton were sitting just one point clear of the relegation zone when David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche in January. What a turnaround he's engineered upon returning to the club. Saturday's win over Crystal Palace gave the Toffees 13 points since "The Moyesiah" took over. No team in the Premier League has more in that time. Moyes' tally of four wins is already more than Dyche managed to procure this season. Previously braced for a nervous race to avoid the drop, Everton supporters can instead look ahead to next season and the promise of greener pastures in their new stadium. The outlook has flipped entirely. "Everton have had a difficult period, but I certainly think there's light at the end of the tunnel now," Moyes said.Traore revives Fulham's European bidFulham used Nottingham Forest's specialty against them to reignite their bid for European football. Entering the weekend as the lowest-scoring Premier League side from set-piece situations, the Cottagers nodded in one sublime delivery and another corner kick to earn back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since November. The 2-1 result also gave them their first home win in six league matches. Fulham are now four points behind the European places and could close the gap if Adama Traore continues to energize their attack. Traore whipped in the cross for Emile Smith Rowe's opener, and his runs down the right flank put defenders in danger. He accounted for nine of Fulham's 33 crosses, and it's that kind of direct game that's won Fulham points this season.Spurs must kick on from hereAnge Postecoglou promised over and over that Tottenham would turn a corner once their best players returned from injury. While they didn't always look their best during Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester United - allowing the kind of chances a more polished opponent would've put away - Spurs were able to get a result thanks in part to the performances of fit-again Guglielmo Vicario and James Maddison. Vicario made six saves, including a couple of difficult diving efforts, to keep Tottenham's first clean sheet at home in the Premier League since August. Maddison, of course, scored the winner off a rebound, but most importantly, he gave Spurs a level of confidence and creativity on the ball that they'd missed in the five games he sat out. Tottenham still have six key players out injured but have enough back to make it three Premier League wins in a row when they face Ipswich Town next Saturday. They haven't put three league wins together since December 2023.<h3>Star performer 🌟</h3>Omar Marmoush (Manchester City)Marmoush joined Manchester City at the most difficult period of Guardiola's reign - and that dour spell still isn't over - so it was no surprise that the Egyptian's first goal (and second, and third) didn't come until his fifth appearance.There were glimpses of how dangerous Marmoush could be before Saturday's visit from Newcastle. He had some promising link-ups with Erling Haaland in his debut against Chelsea and provided a team-high three key passes in the otherwise disastrous 5-1 defeat at Arsenal.But a hat-trick crammed into 14 first-half minutes truly announces Marmoush's arrival. He opened the scoring with a sumptuous lob after latching onto Ederson's missile and shrugging off Kieran Trippier, followed that goal with a deflected finish, and tapped home Savinho's cutback to complete his treble. Marmoush should take a lot of the scoring burden off Haaland's shoulders; he'll explore areas all around the attacking third, but his positioning on the penalty spot for his third goal clearly showed he's comfortable taking up spaces usually occupied by No. 9s.<h3>Best XI 😎</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=643228:Palmer,1400227:Minteh,263653:Stones,877401:Bassey,894803:Spence,439369:Christie,1280132:Gonz%C3%A1lez,493647:Traor%C3%A9,1128965:Alcaraz,839204:Marmoush,574645:Merino&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2025" srcset="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=643228:Palmer,1400227:Minteh,263653:Stones,877401:Bassey,894803:Spence,439369:Christie,1280132:Gonz%C3%A1lez,493647:Traor%C3%A9,1128965:Alcaraz,839204:Marmoush,574645:Merino&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2025 220w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=643228:Palmer,1400227:Minteh,263653:Stones,877401:Bassey,894803:Spence,439369:Christie,1280132:Gonz%C3%A1lez,493647:Traor%C3%A9,1128965:Alcaraz,839204:Marmoush,574645:Merino&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2025 320w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=643228:Palmer,1400227:Minteh,263653:Stones,877401:Bassey,894803:Spence,439369:Christie,1280132:Gonz%C3%A1lez,493647:Traor%C3%A9,1128965:Alcaraz,839204:Marmoush,574645:Merino&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2025 640w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=643228:Palmer,1400227:Minteh,263653:Stones,877401:Bassey,894803:Spence,439369:Christie,1280132:Gonz%C3%A1lez,493647:Traor%C3%A9,1128965:Alcaraz,839204:Marmoush,574645:Merino&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2025 768w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=643228:Palmer,1400227:Minteh,263653:Stones,877401:Bassey,894803:Spence,439369:Christie,1280132:Gonz%C3%A1lez,493647:Traor%C3%A9,1128965:Alcaraz,839204:Marmoush,574645:Merino&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2025 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> </figcaption></figure>(Source: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)<h3>Stat of the weekend 🔢</h3>Ay, caramba! Brighton goalkeeper Verbruggen's assist strengthened Barts' creativity superiority over footballing Simpsons like Danny, Fitzroy, and Paul.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
players with Bart in their name now have four times as many PL assists as those with Simpson in theirs— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) <a href="https://twitter.com/oilysailor/status/1890520645001216445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Social media moment 📱</h3>No matter where they are, Evertonians continue to savor the thrilling midweek result in the Merseyside derby.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Went the ice cream museum in New York earlier… couldn’t resist 🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/EEdCtKJXo3">pic.twitter.com/EEdCtKJXo3</a>— Neilo (@Neilo_m) <a href="https://twitter.com/Neilo_m/status/1890551542433886468?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Played</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+36</td>
<td>60</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2.</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+29</td>
<td>53</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3.</td>
<td>Nottingham Forest</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+12</td>
<td>47</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4.</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+17</td>
<td>44</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5.</td>
<td>Bournemouth</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+15</td>
<td>43</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6.</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+14</td>
<td>43</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7.</td>
<td>Newcastle</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+9</td>
<td>41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8.</td>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9.</td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>38</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10.</td>
<td>Brighton</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11.</td>
<td>Brentford</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+1</td>
<td>34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12.</td>
<td>Tottenham</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+13</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13.</td>
<td>Crystal Palace</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14.</td>
<td>Everton</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15.</td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>29</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16.</td>
<td>West Ham</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-18</td>
<td>27</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17.</td>
<td>Wolves</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-19</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18.</td>
<td>Ipswich Town</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-27</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19.</td>
<td>Leicester City</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-30</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20.</td>
<td>Southampton</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-38</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>View more stats <a href="thescore:///epl/leaders">here</a>.

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EPL Review: Goalkeeper assists, winning ugly, and Bart Simpson

Pep Guardiola is optimistic that star striker Erling Haaland avoided a knee injury during Saturda...

Pep Guardiola is optimistic that star striker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/159222" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/159222">Erling Haaland</a> avoided a knee injury during Saturday's 4-0 win over Newcastle United and is hopeful the Norwegian will be available for Wednesday's big Champions League match against Real Madrid.Haaland was favoring his right knee in the closing stages of the victory after going down on the pitch and grimacing in discomfort following an apparent non-contact injury.The 24-year-old walked off the pitch under his own power and watched the rest of the match from the bench, where he didn't receive any immediate medical attention. He didn't seem to be in any obvious pain while shaking hands after the final whistle, either.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"When he went down, everyone was scared," Guardiola told reporters after the match, per <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43859711/erling-haaland-pep-guardiola-hopeful-man-city-striker-face-real-madrid">Mark Ogden of ESPN</a>. "But he walked off smiling and the doctor didn't tell me bad news so hopefully he is fine."I have not spoken to the doctor. Maybe it's not bad as it could be."Manchester City meet Real Madrid on Wednesday in the second leg of their Champions League knockout playoff tie. Guardiola's men will be looking to overturn a 3-2 deficit in the Spanish capital after losing the first leg at home, a contest in which Haaland scored both of his team's goals.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Erling Haaland of Manchester City reacts after an injury during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Newcastle United FC at Etihad Stadium on February 15, 2025 in Manchester, England.

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Guardiola hopes Haaland will be fit for Madrid clash after knee issue

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing his hamstrin...

Arsenal forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/86595" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/86595">Kai Havertz</a> is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing his hamstring during the team's training camp in Dubai, report <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6129812/2025/02/12/kai-havertz-hamstring-injury-arsenal/">David Ornstein and James McNicholas of The Athletic</a>.It's unclear if the German international will require surgery, but his focus has already switched to getting fully fit for the start of the 2025-26 campaign, according to Ornstein and McNicholas.The injury is the latest in a series of significant blows to Arsenal's title bid.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Gunners sit second in the Premier League and six points behind leaders Liverpool while being tormented by ailments to various players, particularly up front. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/106844" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/106844">Bukayo Saka</a> is expected to be out until March after having hamstring surgery in December. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/161088" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/161088">Gabriel Martinelli</a> is likely to miss a month while nursing a hamstring issue of his own, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/68695" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/68695">Gabriel Jesus</a> is out long term after damaging his left ACL last month.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/85895" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/85895">Leandro Trossard</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/13749" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/13749">Raheem Sterling</a>, and teenager <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/190386" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/190386">Ethan Nwaneri</a> are the only recognized forwards currently available for Mikel Arteta. Trossard, who's played in a central role before, is the most likely option to take up that position if Arteta opts to stick with his preferred 4-3-3 formation.Havertz, though himself not a natural No. 9, was fulfilling that role admirably for Arteta this season, scoring 15 goals and registering five assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.The 25-year-old has played more minutes than any Arsenal forward since the start of the 2023-24 season."Genetically, he is a powerhouse. He is so well-built," Arteta told reporters earlier this month when asked if Havertz could potentially start every remaining game this season. "He is a player that anything you ask him, he is happy to do: to run in zone six, to be very robust, to make long distances. His body absorbs everything. And then he really looks after himself."Arsenal attempted to sign another forward during the January transfer window but ultimately came up empty. They <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3204200" href="https://thescore.com/news/3204200">reportedly</a> submitted a £60-million bid for Aston Villa's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/35483" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/35483">Ollie Watkins</a> but didn't make any progress beyond that point.Arsenal, after a rare weekend off, return to Premier League action Saturday against Leicester City.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Kai Havertz of Arsenal reacts to missing his penalty in the shoot-out during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 12, 2025 in London, England.

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Report: Arsenal's Havertz out for season after hamstring tear in training

Vinicius Junior got the last laugh.  The Real Madrid superstar said a banner unfurled by Manchest...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/101248" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/101248">Vinicius Junior</a> got the last laugh.The Real Madrid superstar said a banner unfurled by Manchester City fans ahead of Tuesday's anticipated Champions League playoff match served as extra motivation for him to deliver a standout performance in the Spanish club's thrilling 3-2 comeback victory.Fans at the Etihad Stadium unveiled a tifo prior to the first-leg encounter featuring <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/67114" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/67114">Rodri</a>, who beat Vinicius to last year's Ballon d'Or award, with the Oasis song title "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" on it.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770077/cropped_GettyImages-2198959764.jpg?ts=1739316579" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770077/w220xh124_GettyImages-2198959764.jpg?ts=1739316579 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770077/w320xh180_GettyImages-2198959764.jpg?ts=1739316579 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770077/w640xh360_GettyImages-2198959764.jpg?ts=1739316579 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770077/w768xh432_GettyImages-2198959764.jpg?ts=1739316579 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770077/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2198959764.jpg?ts=1739316579 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Regan / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Vinicius and the entire Real Madrid delegation boycotted the Ballon d'Or ceremony in October after learning that Rodri would take home the coveted individual trophy over the Brazilian winger."I saw (the banner)," Vinicius told Movistar, as translated by <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43800152/vinicius-junior-man-city-ballon-dor-banner-gave-more-strength">ESPN</a>. "But when opposition fans do things, it always gives me more strength to play a great game, and here I did that. ... (Manchester City) know our history and everything we've done in this competition."Vinicius was named UEFA's Man of the Match on Tuesday after causing consistent havoc for Manchester City's defense and setting up <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/161381" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/161381">Jude Bellingham</a>'s 92nd-minute winning goal."I don't know if Vini saw it," Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti told reporters during his post-match news conference. "But having seen the game, if he saw it, it was a big motivation for him."Real Madrid, the reigning champions and record 15-time tournament winners, will try to finish the job next week and advance to the round of 16 when they welcome Manchester City to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid C.F. at Manchester City Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Manchester, England.

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Vinicius: Man City fans' Ballon d'Or tifo was extra motivation

Cristiano Ronaldo is staying in Saudi Arabia.  The Portuguese megastar reached an agreement with ...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguefnl/players/1310" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguefnl/players/1310">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> is staying in Saudi Arabia.The Portuguese megastar reached an agreement with Al-Nassr to extend his contract until 2026, a source within the club told <a href="https://www.barrons.com/news/ronaldo-reaches-deal-with-saudi-club-al-nassr-to-extend-contract-source-9d2b6d52">Agence France-Presse</a>. His current deal is set to expire in June. The one-year extension reportedly hasn't been signed yet but will be confirmed in the coming days.Ronaldo, who turned 40 last week, said last year that he'll "most likely" finish his career with Al-Nassr, the team he joined in January 2023 after ending his second spell with Manchester United.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 82 goals in 90 matches with the Riyadh-based side, where he's reportedly earning around €200 million per season, including commercial deals.Ronaldo's move to the Middle East opened the floodgates for a cavalcade of notable players, many also in the twilight of their respective careers, to follow him to the Saudi Pro League, which continues to spend freely in an attempt to establish itself as a growing force in global soccer.Saudi Arabia was awarded the 2034 World Cup in December, strengthening its ties with FIFA and president Gianni Infantino.Though a World Cup title has likely eluded him, Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in men's international soccer, continues to chase records. He's been open about his desire to reach the 1,000-goal mark before retiring; he currently has 924 career goals in official matches for club and country.Ronaldo is still seeking his first major trophy with Al-Nassr. The club has yet to win a Saudi or continental title since his arrival, lifting only the Arab Club Champions Cup in that time.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 7: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr FC celebrates scoring their third goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Nassr and Al-Fayha at Al Awwal Park on February 7, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Report: Ronaldo to extend Al-Nassr contract until 2026

Canada's Denis Shapovalov captured the biggest title of his career Sunday, defeating World No. 5 ...

Canada's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///atp/players/9350" href="https://thescore.com/atp/players/9350">Denis Shapovalov</a> captured the biggest title of his career Sunday, defeating World No. 5 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///atp/players/9373" href="https://thescore.com/atp/players/9373">Casper Ruud</a> to win the Dallas Open.Shapovalov, who fired 13 aces en route to a 7-6 (5), 6-3 victory at the ATP 500 event, now has three tour-level titles, all on indoor hard courts."There's a lot to be happy about," the 25-year-old <a href="https://www.atptour.com/en/news/ruud-shapovalov-dallas-2025-final">said</a>. "Of course it's the biggest title of my career. I had a good chance against (Daniil) Medvedev a couple years ago (in Vienna in 2022), but he played a terrific match after losing the first. I'm really happy to stay strong this time and get the win."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Sunday's victory caps an outstanding week for Shapovalov, who also defeated top-10 players <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///atp/players/9298" href="https://thescore.com/atp/players/9298">Taylor Fritz</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///atp/players/9285" href="https://thescore.com/atp/players/9285">Tommy Paul</a> in Dallas. Fritz, Ruud, and Paul were the top three seeds in the tournament. Entering the event, Shapovalov had a career record of 11-33 against opponents inside the top 10.Shapovalov will now rise to No. 32 in the ATP rankings, his highest position since 2023. A three-time major quarterfinalist who broke into the top 10 early in his career, Shapovalov's ascent was derailed by a 2023 knee injury. His subsequent struggles saw him fall all the way to No. 140 last year.Prior to his opening match of the tournament in Dallas, the hard-serving left-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3207029" href="https://thescore.com/news/3207029">told theScore</a> that he's focusing on his "own journey" as he tries to work his way back to the upper echelons of the sport."There were a lot of tough days and a lot of moments where I doubted that I'll ever be able to return to the court pain-free," the Canadian said during a virtual media availability with reporters.After an "emotional" triumph at the Belgrade Open in November, Shapovalov continued to turn the corner in Dallas, culminating in his first-ever win over Ruud in Sunday's final.

FRISCO, TX - FEBRUARY 09: Denis Shapovalov (CAN) kisses the trophy after winning the Dallas Open on February 9, 2025 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, TX.

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Canada's Shapovalov wins Dallas Open to claim biggest title of career

With the January transfer window officially shut, theScore ranks the 10 best moves made across th...

With the January transfer window officially shut, theScore ranks the 10 best moves made across the game's top leagues.<h3>10. Neymar ➡️ Santos</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768912/cropped_GettyImages-2196376675.jpg?ts=1738694765" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768912/w220xh124_GettyImages-2196376675.jpg?ts=1738694765 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768912/w320xh180_GettyImages-2196376675.jpg?ts=1738694765 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768912/w640xh360_GettyImages-2196376675.jpg?ts=1738694765 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768912/w768xh432_GettyImages-2196376675.jpg?ts=1738694765 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768912/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2196376675.jpg?ts=1738694765 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Sports Press Photo / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Details: Signed as free agent following release from Al-HilalNeymar was one-third of arguably the greatest strike force in club football history at Barcelona, remains the most expensive player of all time, and is the leading scorer of Brazil's men's team. But you probably knew that stuff already. So let's look at this from Santos' perspective: The once proud club isn't the power it once was, suffering a relegation in 2023 that added to the city's gloom following Pele's death the previous year. But now the club has recovered from the misery of its only spell outside the top flight, and Neymar has miraculously returned to provide hope of better times ahead.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>9. Cesare Casadei ➡️ Torino</h3>Details: Signed from Chelsea for reported €15M feeOne of the most intriguing deals of the window. Casadei, 22, was a genuine phenom at various youth levels, but his career totally stalled out after moving to Chelsea - not an uncommon sentiment in recent years. For just €15 million, Torino are getting a midfielder who still has enormous potential, and a familiar environment might just be the key to unlocking it. It also represents shrewd planning by sporting director Davide Vagnati, who now has an in-house replacement should budding star Samuele Ricci depart in the summer.<h3>8. Enzo Le Fee ➡️ Sunderland</h3>Details: Loan from Roma until end of seasonLe Fee's virtuoso performance in Monday's 3-2 Championship win at Middlesbrough shouldn't be too surprising. He created two goals, glided past players, and conducted play from the left flank in a manner you should expect from a playmaker who cost €23 million only last summer. His connection with Wilson Isidor, a former teammate in France's youth ranks, promises to be extremely fruitful. Well, perhaps there was one surprise about Le Fee's Teesside outing: Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris' ominous claim that the loanee is only 70% fit.<h3>7. Randal Kolo Muani ➡️ Juventus</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768911/cropped_GettyImages-2197069441.jpg?ts=1738694691" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768911/w220xh124_GettyImages-2197069441.jpg?ts=1738694691 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768911/w320xh180_GettyImages-2197069441.jpg?ts=1738694691 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768911/w640xh360_GettyImages-2197069441.jpg?ts=1738694691 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768911/w768xh432_GettyImages-2197069441.jpg?ts=1738694691 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768911/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2197069441.jpg?ts=1738694691 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Marco Canoniero / LightRocket / Getty</figcaption></figure>Details: Loan from Paris Saint-Germain until end of seasonJanuary isn't the time for total squad overhauls. The winter window is all about being wise to market opportunities. Juventus' business in recent years has been patchy overall, but plucking Kolo Muani off PSG's bench was a savvy move for a team that struggles to score goals and relies too heavily on streaky striker Dusan Vlahovic. Kolo Muani, who already has three goals in his first two Juve appearances, is an established French international with a proven track record of production when given the opportunity to play.<h3>6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ➡️ Paris Saint-Germain</h3>Details: Signed from Napoli for reported €70M feeParis Saint-Germain landed the biggest fish available in the pond, and they did it for a very reasonable fee, especially considering Kvaratskhelia was widely viewed as a €100-million player just six months ago. In a vacuum, this was an excellent deal. The reason it's not higher on the list is simple: PSG are already well-stocked with wide forwards. They didn't really need him. He was a luxury signing, which is what the club seemed to be veering away from.<h3>5. Romain Esse ➡️ Crystal Palace</h3>Details: Signed from Millwall for reported £12M feeEberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, and Michael Olise proved Crystal Palace are a good next step for players starring in the Championship. Esse, a rare success story for Millwall's academy, is next in line. The 19-year-old is immense in one-on-one situations but needs to work on his decision-making to truly make the Premier League grade. A goal with the first touch on his debut - and just 25 seconds after being introduced off the bench - ensured a strong start to his Palace career.<h3>4. Santiago Gimenez ➡️ AC Milan</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768910/cropped_GettyImages-2195985841.jpg?ts=1738694602" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768910/w220xh124_GettyImages-2195985841.jpg?ts=1738694602 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768910/w320xh180_GettyImages-2195985841.jpg?ts=1738694602 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768910/w640xh360_GettyImages-2195985841.jpg?ts=1738694602 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768910/w768xh432_GettyImages-2195985841.jpg?ts=1738694602 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768910/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2195985841.jpg?ts=1738694602 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> SAMEER AL-DOUMY / AFP / Getty</figcaption></figure>Details: Signed from Feyenoord for reported €30M initial feeA prolific Eredivisie striker doesn't necessarily work out in one of Europe's top leagues. For every Luis Suarez or Ruud van Nistelrooy there's a Vincent Janssen or Afonso Alves. But there's a lot to like about Gimenez's move to Italy, especially the affordable fee and how the Mexican's qualities seem to be a neat fit for Milan's lone striker role. "He's as strong as Ibra, on another level," said club adviser Zlatan Ibrahimovic, predictably referring to himself in the third person.<h3>3. Marcus Rashford ➡️ Aston Villa</h3>Details: Loan from Manchester United with reported £40M optionAston Villa are taking a calculated gamble that Unai Emery can help Rashford rediscover the form that once made him look like a future Manchester United legend. The talent is still there - he scored 17 Premier League goals in 2022-23 - but it needs to be reawakened. Rashford will be supremely motivated to silence his doubters and should fit in well playing together with Ollie Watkins. If it doesn't work out for any reason, Villa can simply send him back to Old Trafford. Low risk, big reward.<h3>2. Stefanos Tzimas ➡️ Brighton &amp; Hove Albion</h3>Details: Signed from Nurnberg for reported €25M feeBrighton have protected themselves from the potential disappointment of Evan Ferguson never realizing his huge potential with the signing of Tzimas. Like Ferguson, the 19-year-old striker is blessed with strength, deceptive pace, and composure in front of goal. He crammed in 10 goals for a distinctly average Nurnberg before his transfer was confirmed and will stay with the German side, learning under head coach and iconic marksman Miroslav Klose, for the rest of the season.<h3>1. Mathys Tel ➡️ Tottenham Hotspur</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768909/cropped_GettyImages-2165706083.jpg?ts=1738694506" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768909/w220xh124_GettyImages-2165706083.jpg?ts=1738694506 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768909/w320xh180_GettyImages-2165706083.jpg?ts=1738694506 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768909/w640xh360_GettyImages-2165706083.jpg?ts=1738694506 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768909/w768xh432_GettyImages-2165706083.jpg?ts=1738694506 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768909/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2165706083.jpg?ts=1738694506 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bradley Collyer - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</figcaption></figure>Details: Loan from Bayern Munich with reported €55M optionThis was an exercise in persistence. Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou persevered, working hard to convince Tel that he should join the club after the teenager rejected their initial advances amid interest from other suitors. The Frenchman, 19, can play multiple positions across the front line, a trait that's particularly valuable for a Spurs side ravaged by injuries all year. The option to make the move permanent puts this signing over the top. Tel, Bayern's youngest-ever scorer, was widely coveted, but Spurs won a fierce race.

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Ranking the 10 best transfers of the January window

Atlanta United signed Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough on Tuesday, completing what is repor...

Atlanta United signed <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engch/players/85601" href="https://thescore.com/engch/players/85601">Emmanuel Latte Lath</a> from Middlesbrough on Tuesday, completing what is reportedly the most expensive transfer in Major League Soccer history.The MLS side paid an initial $22 million for the Ivorian striker, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43690374/atlanta-united-break-mls-record-sign-emmanuel-latte-lath">ESPN</a>, surpassing the reported $16.2-million fee that FC Cincinnati paid to land <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/160973" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/160973">Kevin Denkey</a> in November.The 26-year-old signed a Designated Player contract until 2028 with Atlanta.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Latte Lath scored 29 goals in 67 appearances for English Championship club Middlesbrough over the past two seasons. His arrival is the second big splash made by Atlanta in quick succession after the club brought fan favorite <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/59535" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/59535">Miguel Almiron</a> back from Newcastle earlier in the winter window."We're excited to sign Latte Lath and look forward to welcoming him to the club and the city of Atlanta," sporting director Chris Henderson <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/atlanta-united-acquire-emmanuel-latte-lath-in-mls-record-deal">said</a>. "He's a forward with excellent pace and good goal-scoring instincts. His ability to stretch the field will add another dimension to our attack."At 26 years old, he's entering the prime years of his career and has already shown his goal-scoring ability in multiple leagues in Europe."Latte Lath immediately fills the void up front that was created when striker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fmf_cl/players/95969" href="https://thescore.com/fmf_cl/players/95969">Giorgos Giakoumakis</a> left for Mexican outfit Cruz Azul, giving new head coach Ronny Deila a recognized No. 9 going into the 2025 season.

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 04: Emmanuel Latte Lath of Middlesbrough celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough FC and Cardiff City FC at Riverside Stadium on January 04, 2025 in Middlesbrough, England.

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Atlanta signs Latte Lath for reported MLS-record $22M fee

Another eventful transfer window is officially in the books for Europe's top leagues and clubs. B...

Another eventful transfer window is officially in the books for Europe's top leagues and clubs. Below, theScore picks out the biggest winners and losers from the January signing period.<h3>Winners: Marcus Rashford, Aston Villa</h3>He's free.Rashford probably isn't faultless here. Ruben Amorim exiled him from the squad and then proceeded, aggressively and publicly, to lambaste him multiple times, so it's fair to wonder if the 27-year-old was mailing it in during training sessions. Manchester United lack talent, depth, and scoring prowess; they're 13th in the Premier League for a reason. It would behoove them to keep Rashford - and to actually play him. Instead, he hasn't seen the field since Dec. 12. So, yes, he surely bears some responsibility.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768569/cropped_GettyImages-2197291656.jpg?ts=1738534822" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768569/w220xh124_GettyImages-2197291656.jpg?ts=1738534822 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768569/w320xh180_GettyImages-2197291656.jpg?ts=1738534822 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768569/w640xh360_GettyImages-2197291656.jpg?ts=1738534822 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768569/w768xh432_GettyImages-2197291656.jpg?ts=1738534822 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768569/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2197291656.jpg?ts=1738534822 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Neville Williams / Aston Villa FC / Getty</figcaption></figure>But he still comes out looking better than his boyhood club. Rashford, who wisely kept showing public support for his teammates throughout this ordeal, now gets to escape a team in tumult for one that's both in contention for a top-four spot and already in the round of 16 of this season's Champions League. Unai Emery, who campaigned hard for the move, is a huge admirer of Rashford and will give him every opportunity to succeed. Aston Villa also offer him a better stylistic fit: Rashford can play off and support Ollie Watkins at Villa Park instead of being the primary scoring option surrounded by a collection of misfiring forwards at Old Trafford.This is the ideal environment for the former superstar to rejuvenate his career. Aston Villa, on the whole, conducted excellent business this window. Rashford was the biggest piece of a fun puzzle that also included Marco Asensio, Donyell Malen, Axel Disasi, Andres Garcia, and a boatload of cash from several sales - highlighted by Jhon Duran's departure - that immediately alleviated any concerns about meeting Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules.<h3>Losers: Manchester United</h3>Now, back to Manchester United. The way they've mismanaged the Rashford situation is bad enough. Amorim himself admitted the Englishman would help his plodding side, but by that point, he'd already dug his heels in too far. There was no going back. If he and the club really wanted to reconcile with Rashford, it could have been done. Instead, the reported existence of a £40-million purchase option in the loan deal means it's entirely possible Rashford, once the homegrown face of the club, has played his last match for the Red Devils despite being in his prime at 27. That's just bad asset management.Patrick Dorgu could end up being an excellent signing for £25 million if given time to acclimate and grow. But Amorim's underwhelming squad has holes everywhere, and, aside from the left wing-back spot with the young Dane, none of them were addressed. They also couldn't find someone to take Casemiro off their hands and got only a temporary reprieve from Antony, who'll return, to the delight of nobody, at the end of the season.There's something to be said for not panicking in the transfer window, especially in January when premiums are higher and overreactions can be more costly. But even then, not acting immediately to sign another left-footed center-back after Lisandro Martinez suffered a serious knee injury over the weekend was a bizarre choice. PSR concerns are real, but considering how many other defenders moved on loan, surely a solution could've been found. Fast-tracking 18-year-old Ayden Heaven, just signed from Arsenal, could do more harm than good, as this club simply isn't a healthy environment conducive to the success of young players right now.<h3>Winner: Jhon Duran</h3>If history tells us anything, it's that the average player who heads to the Saudi Pro League for one final, enormous check is effectively saying goodbye to their time as an elite footballer. There's nothing wrong with that, but we can call a spade a spade.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768777/cropped_GettyImages-2197457887.jpg?ts=1738629940" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768777/w220xh124_GettyImages-2197457887.jpg?ts=1738629940 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768777/w320xh180_GettyImages-2197457887.jpg?ts=1738629940 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768777/w640xh360_GettyImages-2197457887.jpg?ts=1738629940 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768777/w768xh432_GettyImages-2197457887.jpg?ts=1738629940 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768777/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2197457887.jpg?ts=1738629940 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Abdullah Ahmed / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Duran's situation is a bit different, though. The Colombian striker is 21 years old, and he's only a few years removed from playing in Major League Soccer, where his last <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/mlspa/2023-Salary-Report-as-of-Sept-15-2023.pdf?mtime=20231018173909">documented</a> salary was $167,000 for the entire 2022 season. He'll reportedly make double that each week during his time at Al-Nassr, who are said to be paying him over $20 million per season to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Nobody is turning that down.Duran, who signed a contract until 2030, can cash in for five years, and then, if he so desires, return to Europe when he's about to hit his prime. He almost certainly won't be able to walk back into a Champions League-level team like he had at Aston Villa, but, again, time would be on his side to get back there.<h3>Losers: Manchester City</h3>Manchester City knew they had to act during the January window. They lost Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, the lynchpin of Pep Guardiola's entire system, in late September, and promptly saw their season spiral out of control. An injection of life was needed for a team that suddenly looked old, slow, and often unmotivated. In that sense, City were smart to bring in four young players who all have room to grow and develop. Omar Marmoush, 25, is the oldest and most established of the quartet. Hugo Viana, who will formally take over as the club's new director of football this summer, had his fingerprints all over these deals, adopting a similar approach that he takes in the same role at Sporting CP by signing emerging talents instead of established ones.It's a sustainable way to build a squad for the future, sure. But are City demonstrably better than they were a couple of weeks ago? They spent over €200 million and were responsible for four of the window's nine most expensive signings. Only Chelsea, in 2023, have ever spent more in a single winter window, according to the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cn8yz3e5jw7o">BBC</a>.That outlay got City two backup defenders, a forward who was significantly outscoring his expected goal production in the Bundesliga this season - which should always generate at least a little skepticism - and a midfielder who seemingly wasn't on the club's radar until a few days ago and will now be asked to immediately rectify the issues plaguing Guardiola's team. For a club with almost unmatched resources, you'd expect a little more of an immediate impact. "Losers" may be harsh, but this was no slam dunk.<h3>Winner: Nostalgia</h3>Romantic reunions were popular during the winter window. Miguel Almiron, the beloved Paraguayan who helped Atlanta United lift the MLS Cup in 2018, returned to the American side six years after he left for Newcastle. He said he was elated to be going back "home." Portuguese forward Jota, whose career veered off course after leaving Celtic two years ago, rejoined the Scottish giants, saying he was "delighted" about the move.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767568/cropped_GettyImages-1656972847.jpg?ts=1738024889" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767568/w220xh124_GettyImages-1656972847.jpg?ts=1738024889 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767568/w320xh180_GettyImages-1656972847.jpg?ts=1738024889 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767568/w640xh360_GettyImages-1656972847.jpg?ts=1738024889 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767568/w768xh432_GettyImages-1656972847.jpg?ts=1738024889 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767568/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1656972847.jpg?ts=1738024889 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Xinhua News Agency / Xinhua News Agency / Getty</figcaption></figure>But no transfer was more emotional than Neymar's switch from Al-Hilal to boyhood club Santos. The Brazilian, greeted by thousands of adoring fans who were eager to welcome their "Prince" back to his homeland, was in literal tears as he pulled on the familiar white shirt and stepped on the pitch for his unveiling. The 32-year-old left millions on the table by terminating his contract with the Saudi Arabian club, but there didn't appear to be an ounce of regret.<h3>Loser: Aurelio De Laurentiis</h3>Napoli's owner has built a reputation as a hard-nosed negotiator who never gets pushed around and only makes deals, especially high-profile sales, on his own terms. When Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's entourage went public about their desire to engineer the Georgian sensation's move to another club in the summer, Napoli, almost certainly at the behest of the outspoken owner, replied sharply on social media. "It is not the agents or the fathers who decide the future of a player under contract at Napoli, but the club SSC Napoli. End of story," the 2023 Serie A champions <a href="https://x.com/sscnapoli/status/1802471922954801483">said</a>.Kvaratskhelia, one of the protagonists of that Scudetto triumph, was being touted as a €100-million player. Instead, De Laurentiis was forced to yield for less than his market value, eventually sanctioning his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain for €70 million upfront, plus potential bonuses. Financially, this was a sensational move for Napoli, who paid roughly €13 million to sign "Kvaradona" from Dinamo Batumi in 2022.But this wasn't quite the way it was supposed to go for De Laurentiis. He was always going to make a massive profit, but it didn't happen on his own terms, which will absolutely bother him. It's even debatable whether PSG were outright winners here, considering Kvaratskhelia is likely going to take minutes away from budding superstar Bradley Barcola, but they did get the best player available on the market.<h3>Other winners and losers</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754214/cropped_GettyImages-2182086090.jpg?ts=1731074206" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754214/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182086090.jpg?ts=1731074206 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754214/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182086090.jpg?ts=1731074206 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754214/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182086090.jpg?ts=1731074206 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754214/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182086090.jpg?ts=1731074206 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754214/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182086090.jpg?ts=1731074206 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Rob Newell - CameraSport / CameraSport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Ange Postecoglou: Injury-ravaged Tottenham would've been a clear loser after getting rejected by multiple players, but Postecoglou saved face by convincing Mathys Tel to join the club in a deal that, crucially, could become permanent. For a manager fighting to keep his job, that could go a long way to convincing the brass that he deserves to stick around and build something.Arsenal: Only Liverpool have scored more Premier League goals than Arsenal this season, and the Gunners are coming off a 5-1 destruction of Manchester City. But surely, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus still sidelined, another forward to help Kai Havertz would've been welcome. Mikel Arteta now needs the youngsters to keep shining to challenge the Reds.Lens: Abdukodir Khusanov joined Lens in 2023 from Belarusian club Energetik-BGU for less than €500,000. After just 24 appearances, the French club have turned around and flipped him for €40 million. Whatever way you slice it, that's a huge win. Lens remain relatively well-stocked in central defense even without the Uzbekistan international.

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Biggest winners and losers of the January transfer window

Mathys Tel had a change of heart.  The French forward joined Tottenham Hotspur on deadline day af...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/184462" href="https://thescore.com/bund/players/184462">Mathys Tel</a> had a change of heart.The French forward joined Tottenham Hotspur on deadline day after the Premier League side and Bayern Munich agreed to a loan until season's end. Spurs have an option to make the move permanent this summer. The purchase option is for €55 million, reports <a href="https://x.com/David_Ornstein/status/1886539768424431652">David Ornstein of The Athletic</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>It was <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43642190/bayern-munich-mathys-tel-rejects-chance-join-tottenham-sources">reported</a> last week that the 19-year-old rejected a move to Spurs after the two clubs had come to an agreement on a €60-million permanent transfer, but Tel has now opened up to the idea of playing for the north London outfit.Manchester United and Chelsea both expressed interest in the teenager in recent weeks, and Tel appeared to be holding out for one of those clubs, but neither move materialized.Tel, Bayern Munich's youngest-ever scorer, has made 83 appearances for the German club, scoring 16 times.He'll immediately help a Tottenham side that's been hammered by injuries and sits 14th in the Premier League.

29 January 2025, Bavaria, Munich: Soccer: Champions League, Bayern Munich - Slovan Bratislava, preliminary round, match day 8 at the Allianz Arena. Mathys Tel from Munich during his substitution. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa

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Tel changes his mind, joins Spurs on loan with reported €55M option

Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone left Marseille on transfer deadline day to join fellow Ligue 1 si...

Canadian midfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/184447" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/184447">Ismael Kone</a> left Marseille on transfer deadline day to join fellow Ligue 1 side Rennes on an initial loan, the club announced.The deal is for €1 million up front, and Rennes have the option to make the move permanent for an additional €14 million this summer, reports transfer insider <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1886370277694575043">Fabrizio Romano</a>.That clause is contingent on Rennes avoiding relegation, according to TSN's <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/kone-finalizing-loan-to-french-club-stade-rennes-as-time-with-marseille-coming-to-an-end-1.2245668">Matthew Scianitti</a>. They're currently 15th in France's top flight.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Kone, capped 25 times by Canada, was linked with the likes of Fiorentina and Valencia during the transfer window. Premier League outfit Southampton also inquired, but he turned down a potential move, <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/kone-finalizing-loan-to-french-club-stade-rennes-as-time-with-marseille-coming-to-an-end-1.2245668">Scianitti</a> adds.The 22-year-old, who only joined Marseille from Watford last summer, was unable to establish himself as a regular contributor in his first season at the club. He started just three league matches and compiled 360 minutes.He was also publicly rebuked by Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi."We wanted this player, he's very strong, he's a good lad, but … over the last few months, he hasn't shown me that he's capable of being part of this project," De Zerbi said last month. "He's got a lot of competition."He'll face competition for playing time at Rennes, who have been one of France's most active teams in the January window. The club's biggest move thus far saw it sign <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/49724" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/49724">Seko Fofana</a>, a veteran midfielder who can occupy the same role as Kone, from Al-Nassr for a reported €20 million.Kone will be the first Canadian international to play for Rennes.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JULY 13: Ismael Kone of Canada reacts during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 third place match between Uruguay and Canada at Bank of America Stadium on July 13, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Canadian midfielder Kone leaves Marseille for Rennes

Aston Villa confirmed the signing of Marcus Rashford on Sunday, adding the forward from Mancheste...

Aston Villa confirmed the signing of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/66886" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/66886">Marcus Rashford</a> on Sunday, adding the forward from Manchester United on loan for the remainder of the season.Villa will reportedly cover the majority of the 27-year-old's salary during his loan spell, and the deal includes a £40-million purchase option, sources told <a href="https://x.com/David_Ornstein/status/1886025535257477359">David Ornstein of The Athletic</a>."I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision - I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the manager's ambitions," Rashford <a href="https://www.premierleague.com/news/4239452">said</a>. "I just want to play football and am excited to get started. I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Rashford has the opportunity to rebuild his career at Villa Park after it was derailed by a curious saga that saw him exiled by his boyhood club. The versatile forward, who made over 400 appearances and scored 138 goals for Manchester United after coming through the academy, hadn't played since Dec. 12, often being left out of the squad entirely by manager Ruben Amorim.The Portuguese tactician publicly called out Rashford and questioned his work ethic multiple times, including last week when he <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3201678" href="https://thescore.com/news/3201678">said</a> he'd rather give minutes to 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital than someone who isn't giving the "maximum" in training.Rashford previously said he was ready for a "new challenge" after being dropped by Amorim for the Manchester derby in December.There were strong links to both AC Milan and Barcelona, but Rashford's salary, which reportedly saw him earn £300,000 per week at Old Trafford, proved prohibitive for both clubs.Villa emerged as a late suitor after the sale of Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr.In Rashford, a player with a point to prove, manager Unai Emery will have someone capable of playing with primary striker Ollie Watkins as Villa navigate both their Premier League top-four push and their continued participation in the Champions League.Villa, currently sitting eighth in England's top flight, secured automatic passage to the round of 16 in Europe's premier club competition. Manchester United, 13th in the Premier League, are struggling mightily for goals, finding the net just 28 times in 24 league matches so far this season. The two sides meet at Old Trafford on May 25, the final day of the Premier League campaign.Rashford has seven goals in 24 appearances this season. He registered a career-high 30 tallies during the 2022-23 campaign.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Marcus Rashford of Aston Villa signs on loan for Aston Villa pictured with Damian Vidagany and Monchi at Bodymoor Heath training ground on February 02, 2025 in Birmingham, England.

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Rashford joins Aston Villa on loan to end Man United saga

Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points to emerge from the slate of matches. Below, we dissect Matchweek 24 of the 2024-25 season.<h3>Arsenal have flipped Man City rivalry</h3>Arsenal didn't just beat Manchester City on Sunday - they conquered a demon. The Gunners have truly eclipsed their rivals, leaving them behind after trailing them for years. The only tragedy is that Arsenal may finally finish above City in the table but once again miss out on the Premier League title.We all know how far Mikel Arteta and his staff have gone to find the antidote to City's sting. He hired pickpockets to test his players' mental sharpness in a casual setting. He brought an olive tree into a team meeting and described his players as branches and his staff as the roots. He adopted a dog named Win and tried as hard as he could to identify the margins City seemed to have cornered for so long.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>City beat Arsenal in 15 of 16 matches from the start of the 2017-18 season to the end of the 2022-23 campaign. Arsenal failed to score in many of those games. It was complete annihilation.But the rivalry changed at the start of last season. A 1-0 win in October 2023 ended City's dominant run. Back-to-back Premier League draws followed, including the 2-2 result that John Stones salvaged with a late header in September.If those last three contests closed the gap for Arsenal, Sunday's 5-1 win flipped the script entirely, leaving City with a gap of their own.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
5 - Mikel Arteta is now unbeaten in five games against Manchester City (W2 D3); the joint-longest run by a manager against Pep Guardiola, after Thomas Tuchel (2016-2021) and Jürgen Klopp (2021-2022). Equals. <a href="https://t.co/tUVbtRs3jH">pic.twitter.com/tUVbtRs3jH</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1886121487381241877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>While Pep Guardiola's players have looked unrecognizable this season - worlds apart from the slick-passing team that won four straight league titles - they were downright bullied at the Emirates. No one could make a pass or a good decision under pressure. Arsenal forced the issue by pressing high and asking questions of City's fragile defenders. The response was usually some kind of giveaway.Above all, City's buildup play lacked reason. Take, for example, the lunacy that led to Arsenal's first goal. Manuel Akanji wouldn't have coughed up possession if Stones had built up play using the free man on his left instead of the one teammate crowded by opponents.Arsenal didn't relent and dunked on City whenever they had a chance. It may have looked like they were beating a dead horse, but they were really proving to themselves that the tables have indeed turned.<h3>Quick free-kicks 📝</h3>Liverpool ride their luck"We weren't unlucky, let's put it this way." That was Arne Slot's refreshingly honest <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3206896" href="https://thescore.com/news/3206896">assessment</a> of his team's performance following Saturday's 2-0 win over Bournemouth. Liverpool didn't have it all their own way. The Cherries, riding an 11-match unbeaten run, made it tricky. Margins were fine. Liverpool were on the right side of match-swinging offside calls in either direction, while Bournemouth were thwarted by the post twice. Call it what it was: Liverpool got a little lucky. That's okay. Every team that goes on to win a title gets some fortuitous bounces along the way. They just happen to be magnetized when dealing with a title race, which gives off the illusion that every call is going the way of the leaders. Liverpool are excellent, and they're getting the slices of luck you need to hold off the chasing pack. That's a tough combo to beat.Tempering expectationsRuben Amorim could have been right when he said last month that this may be the "worst" Manchester United team in club history - a statement he later admitted to regretting. Against that backdrop, and on the back of another humbling home loss Sunday, this time to Crystal Palace, there will be an obvious desire to anoint any new signings as the singular savior who can help turn things around. That would be a disservice to Patrick Dorgu, the 20-year-old Danish international who arrived Sunday from Lecce for an initial £25 million. And, should the club make an 11th-hour move for another central defender in the wake of Lisandro Martinez's seemingly serious knee injury, they'll get hit with the same label, too. But no one player can turn this around fully, and certainly not immediately. This rebuild is going to take time. Being patient is hard, but it's the only sustainable path back to success for Manchester United and their dejected fan base.Cunha's mind finally clear<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768549/cropped_GettyImages-2197125631.jpg?ts=1738528936" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768549/w220xh124_GettyImages-2197125631.jpg?ts=1738528936 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768549/w320xh180_GettyImages-2197125631.jpg?ts=1738528936 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768549/w640xh360_GettyImages-2197125631.jpg?ts=1738528936 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768549/w768xh432_GettyImages-2197125631.jpg?ts=1738528936 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768549/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2197125631.jpg?ts=1738528936 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Naomi Baker / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Matheus Cunha has been on a whirlwind ride during the January transfer window. He was initially tabbed as an option for some of Europe's elite clubs looking for more scoring punch, then reportedly had an agreement in place to extend his contract with Wolves, then got called out publicly by his manager, inciting a new round of rumors about the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United being interested, and then, finally, put everything to bed Sunday by inking the aforementioned extension, not long after scoring to seal a 2-0 win over Aston Villa. Transfer speculation can absolutely have a tangible negative impact on player performance, though few admit it. With the window closing and his immediate future decided, Cunha can now focus exclusively on his play. Until we start doing this all over again in the summer, of course.Aston Villa's secondary scoringOllie Watkins needs help in the wake of Jhon Duran's transfer to Al-Nassr. Strictly financially, getting €77 million upfront for a player who was in Major League Soccer just two years ago was a masterstroke. Offered that deal, you take it every single time, especially at a time when financial rules are always top of mind. On the pitch, though, losing the Colombian marksman puts a lot of pressure on Watkins, whose 10 league goals this season make him the club's leading scorer. Morgan Rogers has six tallies, but nobody else has more than three. Duran had seven. Villa need more from Leon Bailey, while January signing Donyell Malen has to get up to speed quickly. Unai Emery will hope that Marcus Rashford can hit the ground running and recapture some of his early-career scoring form.<h3>Star performer 🌟</h3>Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, and Alexander Isak unsurprisingly occupy the top three spots in the Premier League's Golden Boot race. The top two, especially, were to be expected. Not many would have predicted Wood would be right in the mix, though. The imposing 33-year-old's renaissance since joining Nottingham Forest has been inspiring as it has been unexpected. Wood joined Forest in January 2023 when he was on the wrong side of 30 and had scored only seven Premier League goals since the start of the 2021 season.He's gone on an almighty tear since then, scoring 32 league goals for Forest. His hat-trick in Saturday's 7-0 annihilation of Brighton brought him to 17 on the current campaign, including seven in his last six league outings. For a team that likes to attack directly and at pace using different combinations of wing-backs and more traditional wingers, the New Zealander is a perfect fit as the target man in the middle. It's working like a dream for Nuno. <h3>Best XI 😎</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=319784:Alisson,894803:Spence,243138:Tarkowski,950485:Lacroix,1406436:Lewis-Skelly,769166:Bellegarde,654096:Rice,292462:Salah,1050166:Elanga,706297:Mateta,169719:Wood&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2024" srcset="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=319784:Alisson,894803:Spence,243138:Tarkowski,950485:Lacroix,1406436:Lewis-Skelly,769166:Bellegarde,654096:Rice,292462:Salah,1050166:Elanga,706297:Mateta,169719:Wood&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2024 220w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=319784:Alisson,894803:Spence,243138:Tarkowski,950485:Lacroix,1406436:Lewis-Skelly,769166:Bellegarde,654096:Rice,292462:Salah,1050166:Elanga,706297:Mateta,169719:Wood&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2024 320w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=319784:Alisson,894803:Spence,243138:Tarkowski,950485:Lacroix,1406436:Lewis-Skelly,769166:Bellegarde,654096:Rice,292462:Salah,1050166:Elanga,706297:Mateta,169719:Wood&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2024 640w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=319784:Alisson,894803:Spence,243138:Tarkowski,950485:Lacroix,1406436:Lewis-Skelly,769166:Bellegarde,654096:Rice,292462:Salah,1050166:Elanga,706297:Mateta,169719:Wood&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2024 768w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=319784:Alisson,894803:Spence,243138:Tarkowski,950485:Lacroix,1406436:Lewis-Skelly,769166:Bellegarde,654096:Rice,292462:Salah,1050166:Elanga,706297:Mateta,169719:Wood&amp;formation=4-2-2-2&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2024 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> </figcaption></figure>(Source: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)<h3>Highlight of the weekend 🎥</h3>If you look up "defense-splitting" pass in the dictionary, you'll find this gorgeous assist from James Garner during Everton's dominant 4-0 win over Leicester City.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The perfect pass does not exi- <a href="https://t.co/xHFB9tB375">pic.twitter.com/xHFB9tB375</a>— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/1885812873353470295?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Stat of the weekend 🔢</h3>The "Theatre of Dreams" is giving Manchester United nightmares nowadays.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
13 - Since the beginning of last season only Wolves (16) have lost more Premier League home games than Manchester United (13). Pantomime. <a href="https://t.co/55zP2PohoY">pic.twitter.com/55zP2PohoY</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1886081657762980044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Social media moment 📱</h3>Time to get a green piece in there after Southampton's win this weekend.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
southampton’s past 14 matches : <a href="https://t.co/jXw23QCpIw">https://t.co/jXw23QCpIw</a>— TWTDcorey 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🚜 (@CoreySh1elds) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoreySh1elds/status/1885321873921060975?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Played</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>+35</td>
<td>56</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2.</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>+27</td>
<td>50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3.</td>
<td>Nottingham Forest</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>+13</td>
<td>47</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4.</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>+13</td>
<td>41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5.</td>
<td>Newcastle United</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>+13</td>
<td>41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6.</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>+15</td>
<td>40</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7.</td>
<td>Bournemouth</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>+13</td>
<td>40</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8.</td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9.</td>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>+4</td>
<td>36</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10.</td>
<td>Brighton</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11.</td>
<td>Brentford</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12.</td>
<td>Crystal Palace</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13.</td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>29</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14.</td>
<td>Tottenham</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>+11</td>
<td>27</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15.</td>
<td>West Ham United</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>-16</td>
<td>27</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16.</td>
<td>Everton</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17.</td>
<td>Wolves</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>-18</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18.</td>
<td>Leicester City</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>-28</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19.</td>
<td>Ipswich Town</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>-27</td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20.</td>
<td>Southampton</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>-36</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>View more stats <a href="thescore:///epl/leaders">here</a>.

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EPL Review: Arsenal flip script, Man City crumble, Liverpool ride luck

The January transfer period closes Monday night for Europe's top leagues. Here's a look at 20 of ...

The January transfer period closes Monday night for Europe's top leagues. Here's a look at 20 of the most interesting names that could move in the final hours of the window. Tap on each player's name for more analysis.Note: Several players listed below have been resurfaced from our transfer preview that was originally published ahead of the window opening. Estimated values are provided by <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.com/">transfermarkt.</a><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Value</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Victor%20Osimhen">Victor Osimhen</a></td>
<td>Galatasaray</td>
<td>€75M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Marcus%20Rashford">Marcus Rashford</a></td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>€55M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Christopher%20Nkunku">Christopher Nkunku</a></td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>€50M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Evan%20Ferguson">Evan Ferguson</a></td>
<td>Brighton</td>
<td>€40M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Antonio%20Silva">Antonio Silva</a></td>
<td>Benfica</td>
<td>€38M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#David%20Hancko">David Hancko</a></td>
<td>Feyenoord</td>
<td>€35M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Mathys%20Tel">Mathys Tel</a></td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
<td>€30M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Axel%20Disasi">Axel Disasi</a></td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>€30M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Joao%20Felix">Joao Felix</a></td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>€30M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Rayan%20Cherki">Rayan Cherki</a></td>
<td>Lyon</td>
<td>€30M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Tomas%20Araujo">Tomas Araujo</a></td>
<td>Benfica</td>
<td>€28M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Angel%20Gomes">Angel Gomes</a></td>
<td>Lille</td>
<td>€25M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Fikayo%20Tomori">Fikayo Tomori</a></td>
<td>AC Milan</td>
<td>€22M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Marco%20Asensio">Marco Asensio</a></td>
<td>PSG</td>
<td>€20M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Ben%20Chilwell">Ben Chilwell</a></td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>€20M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Nicolo%20Fagioli">Nicolo Fagioli</a></td>
<td>Juventus</td>
<td>€20M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Nico%20Gonzalez">Nico Gonzalez</a></td>
<td>FC Porto</td>
<td>€18M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Aymeric%20Laporte">Aymeric Laporte</a></td>
<td>Al-Nassr</td>
<td>€18M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Allan%20Saint-Maximin">Allan Saint-Maximin</a></td>
<td>Fenerbahce</td>
<td>€17M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="#Tyrell%20Malacia">Tyrell Malacia</a></td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>€15M</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><a id="Victor Osimhen" name="Victor%20Osimhen">Victor Osimhen</a> (Galatasaray)<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Age: 26 Position: Striker Suitors: Manchester United, ChelseaOsimhen's stunning loan move to Galatasaray in September was a good indication of just how bitter his relationship with parent club Napoli had become. They were happy to simply ship him off for the time being and work on a permanent solution down the road.<a id="Marcus Rashford" name="Marcus%20Rashford">Marcus Rashford</a> (Manchester United)Age: 27 Position: Forward Suitors: Aston VillaRashford, who publicly declared that he's ready to leave his childhood club, is clearly being pushed out by Manchester United. After links with AC Milan and Barcelona, a loan to Aston Villa looks imminent. The potential deal is expected to include a £40-million purchase option.Update: Aston Villa confirmed the signing of Rashford on loan until the end of the season.<a id="Christopher Nkunku" name="Christopher%20Nkunku">Christopher Nkunku</a> (Chelsea)Age: 27 Position: Forward/attacking midfielder Suitors: Bayern Munich, Manchester UnitedUntimely injuries have largely derailed what should have been a prosperous move for both Chelsea and Nkunku. The Frenchman remains one of the most skilled players in the entire squad, but he's fallen behind several other forwards in the pecking order.<a id="Evan Ferguson" name="Evan%20Ferguson">Evan Ferguson</a> (Brighton &amp; Hove Albion)Age: 20 Position: Striker Suitors: West Ham, Bayer LeverkusenFerguson hasn't kicked on after exploding onto the Premier League scene in 2022-23, when he looked like the game's next great prospect. The big Irishman has just one league goal in very limited action so far this season. The raw talent remains undeniable, though.<a id="Antonio Silva" name="Antonio%20Silva">Antonio Silva</a> (Benfica)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/608566/cropped_GettyImages-1810983308.jpg?ts=1703771244" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/608566/w220xh124_GettyImages-1810983308.jpg?ts=1703771244 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/608566/w320xh180_GettyImages-1810983308.jpg?ts=1703771244 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/608566/w640xh360_GettyImages-1810983308.jpg?ts=1703771244 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/608566/w768xh432_GettyImages-1810983308.jpg?ts=1703771244 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/608566/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1810983308.jpg?ts=1703771244 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Age: 21 Position: Center-back Suitors: Manchester United, JuventusJorge Mendes did everything in his power to engineer a transfer to Juventus, publicly putting pressure on Benfica to sell. A move didn't materialize, but never count out the possibility of a last-second agreement. Clubs seeking defensive help will get desperate as the clock ticks down.<a id="David Hancko" name="David%20Hancko">David Hancko</a> (Feyenoord)Age: 27 Position: Center-back Suitors: JuventusLeft-sided central defenders have been a hot commodity all window, and Hancko's ability to slide over and also play left-back makes him all the more desirable. Feyenoord are already expected to lose striker Santiago Gimenez, which could make them hesitant to sanction a last-second Hancko sale.<a id="Mathys Tel" name="Mathys%20Tel">Mathys Tel</a> (Bayern Munich)Age: 19 Position: Forward Suitors: Manchester United, Arsenal, ChelseaTel has been one of the most intriguing names to watch in the final weeks of the transfer window. He reportedly rejected a move to Tottenham after the clubs struck a €60-million agreement and is seemingly holding out for one of Manchester United or Arsenal.<a id="Axel Disasi" name="Axel%20Disasi">Axel Disasi</a> (Chelsea)Age: 26 Position: Center-back Suitors: TottenhamTottenham, who already swooped in and hijacked Wolves' deal for center-back Kevin Danso this weekend, aren't done bolstering their defense. Disasi has started just four Premier League games this season under Enzo Maresca and could be a good fit for Ange Postecoglou's team.<a id="Joao Felix" name="Joao%20Felix">Joao Felix</a> (Chelsea)Age: 25 Position: Forward Suitors: AC MilanChelsea could be very busy saying goodbye to players on Monday. Felix was strongly linked with Aston Villa and Unai Emery, but as they shift their focus to other targets, AC Milan are emerging as a concrete option. Manager Sergio Conceicao is a huge admirer of his compatriot.<a id="Rayan Cherki" name="Rayan%20Cherki">Rayan Cherki</a> (Lyon)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/559961/cropped_GettyImages-1247089910.jpg?ts=1676262767" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/559961/w220xh124_GettyImages-1247089910.jpg?ts=1676262767 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/559961/w320xh180_GettyImages-1247089910.jpg?ts=1676262767 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/559961/w640xh360_GettyImages-1247089910.jpg?ts=1676262767 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/559961/w768xh432_GettyImages-1247089910.jpg?ts=1676262767 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/559961/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1247089910.jpg?ts=1676262767 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / AFP / Getty</figcaption></figure>Age: 21 Position: Attacking midfielder Suitors: Borussia DortmundIn an ideal world, Lyon would prefer to keep hold of Cherki until the summer, when they could incite a more extensive bidding war for the rising young star. But the club's dire financial situation could force them to sanction a January move for around €22 million.<a id="Tomas Araujo" name="Tomas%20Araujo">Tomas Araujo</a> (Benfica)Age: 22 Position: Center-back Suitors: Manchester UnitedRumblings of a move to Manchester United, which coincided with Ruben Amorim's arrival at the club, quieted down in recent weeks. But after Lisandro Martinez suffered what appears to be a serious knee injury, a last-minute revival of this pursuit wouldn't surprise anybody.<a id="Angel Gomes" name="Angel%20Gomes">Angel Gomes</a> (Lille)Age: 24 Position: Midfielder Suitors: TottenhamA member of the expiring-contract brigade, which seems to grow every year as more players recognize the benefits of running down their deals and picking their next destination on their own terms. Gomes appears ready to return to England after his spell in France.<a id="Fikayo Tomori" name="Fikayo%20Tomori">Fikayo Tomori</a> (AC Milan)Age: 27 Position: Center-back Suitors: TottenhamHaving lost his place as one of Milan's starting central defenders, Tomori has been consistently linked with a move away from the club. Juventus' approach failed - the Englishman didn't want to leave for Turin - but Tottenham are exploring a late deal to bring him back to the Premier League.<a id="Marco Asensio" name="Marco%20Asensio">Marco Asensio</a> (Paris Saint-Germain)Age: 29 Position: Forward Suitors: Aston VillaAsensio has only started eight Ligue 1 matches for PSG this season. He wasn't seeing much of the pitch even before the club splashed a huge fee to sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian's arrival will only further limit his opportunities, and Aston Villa is on alert.<a id="Ben Chilwell" name="Ben%20Chilwell">Ben Chilwell</a> (Chelsea)Age: 28 Position: Left-back Suitors: Crystal PalaceWhen it comes to Chelsea's (gigantic) squad, Chilwell's firmly on the periphery. He's played a mere 45 minutes this season, and that came in a League Cup match against a fourth-tier opponent back in September. It might as well have been a friendly. A move will be welcomed by everyone.<a id="Nicolo Fagioli" name="Nicolo%20Fagioli">Nicolo Fagioli</a> (Juventus)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/629955/cropped_GettyImages-2153883224.jpg?ts=1716471400" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/629955/w220xh124_GettyImages-2153883224.jpg?ts=1716471400 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/629955/w320xh180_GettyImages-2153883224.jpg?ts=1716471400 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/629955/w640xh360_GettyImages-2153883224.jpg?ts=1716471400 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/629955/w768xh432_GettyImages-2153883224.jpg?ts=1716471400 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/629955/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2153883224.jpg?ts=1716471400 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ciancaphoto Studio / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Age: 23 Position: Midfielder Suitors: Fiorentina, MarseilleJuventus need to generate cash to offset their January additions and years of questionable financial decisions that have set the club back. Fagioli, an academy product who isn't getting much playing time under Thiago Motta, would represent pure profit on the books.<a id="Nico Gonzalez" name="Nico%20Gonzalez">Nico Gonzalez</a> (FC Porto)Age: 23 Position: Midfielder Suitors: Manchester CityManchester City, who have tried to reload on the fly with a trio of expensive moves during the January window, still need help in midfield. The Barcelona academy product appears to be the target they have landed on after much searching. Will they trigger his €60-million release clause?<a id="Aymeric Laporte" name="Aymeric%20Laporte">Aymeric Laporte</a> (Al-Nassr)Age: 30 Position: Center-back Suitors: Real MadridAs noted, central defenders, especially left-footed ones, are in high demand. Few players have returned to Europe after moving to Saudi Arabia, but Laporte, linked with Real Madrid early in the window, could do exactly that, especially after the untimely injury just suffered by Antonio Rudiger.<a id="Allan Saint-Maximin" name="Allan%20Saint-Maximin">Allan Saint-Maximin</a> (Fenerbahce)Age: 27 Position: Winger Suitors: NapoliNapoli have searched far and wide to replace Kvaratskhelia following his move to PSG. Karim Adeyemi and Alejandro Garnacho were high-profile targets, but now Saint-Maximin is the prime candidate. He's currently on loan at Fenerbahce from Al-Ahli, though, which complicates matters.<a id="Tyrell Malacia" name="Tyrell%20Malacia">Tyrell Malacia</a> (Manchester United)Age: 25 Position: Left-back Suitors: Anybody who'll take himManchester United are trying to ship Malacia off and appeared to have a loan deal in place with Benfica. But that move collapsed after the clubs couldn't agree on the loan fee and purchase option. Will another suitor emerge at the 11th hour and give the Dutchman a chance to get his career back on track?

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20 players who could move on transfer deadline day

Villarreal signed Canadian international Tajon Buchanan on loan from Inter Milan, the Italian clu...

Villarreal signed Canadian international <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/148092" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/148092">Tajon Buchanan</a> on loan from Inter Milan, the Italian club announced Saturday.The loan will cost €1 million, and the Spanish club will have an option to make the signing permanent for an additional €13 million, according to <a href="https://x.com/DiMarzio/status/1884630466998755613">Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport Italia</a>.Buchanan didn't start a Serie A match for Inter this season prior to his departure.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 25-year-old fractured his tibia last summer during a training session while on international duty with Canada at the Copa America and found playing time limited since returning. The versatile wide player made six league appearances off the bench this season, for a total of 95 minutes, as wing-backs <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/102358" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/102358">Denzel Dumfries</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/37388" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/37388">Federico Dimarco</a> continue to be key pillars of Simone Inzaghi's team.Buchanan's serious injury came just months after he moved to Italy from Club Brugge in a deal worth an initial €7 million.Buchanan, who can play as a wing-back or a more traditional winger, has made 43 appearances for Canada. He started all three of the nation's group matches at the 2022 World Cup.He'll likely compete for minutes at Villarreal with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/168028" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/168028">Yeremy Pino</a> on the right side of the team's four-man midfield.Villarreal sit fifth in La Liga.

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 6: Tajon Buchanan of Canada dribbles with the ball during the international friendly match between Netherlands and Canada at De Kuip on June 6, 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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Canada's Buchanan joins Villarreal on loan from Inter

Mohamed Salah scored both goals in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Bournemouth to strengthen the Reds' g...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17673" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a> scored both goals in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Bournemouth to strengthen the Reds' grip on top spot in the Premier League.Not even Bournemouth, flying high and unbeaten in 11 matches going into Saturday's contest, could slow down the league's top scorer. The Egyptian broke the deadlock at the Vitality Stadium from the penalty spot in the first half and then bagged his 21st marker of the campaign with an exquisite curling effort to ensure Arne Slot's team collected all three points.(Available to view in U.S. only)<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
THAT IS A DAZZLING MO SALAH STRIKE. 💥 📺 USA Network | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BOULIV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BOULIV</a> <a href="https://t.co/0EwYKnjkzr">pic.twitter.com/0EwYKnjkzr</a>— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1885729740943745454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>(Available to view in Canada only)<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Mohamed Salah SCORES!! ⚽ 0-2 AFC Bournemouth vs Liverpool FC WATCH EVERY GOAL 👉 <a href="https://t.co/2w98QqADfX">https://t.co/2w98QqADfX</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PremierLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PremierLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/hSZSXQdIvs">pic.twitter.com/hSZSXQdIvs</a>— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) <a href="https://twitter.com/fuboTVCanada/status/1885729466116100520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"It feels good to be scoring goals, to be winning, but my main target this season is to win the Premier League with the team so we must keep going," said Salah, whose future at Anfield remains unclear with his contract set to expire this summer.Liverpool are now nine points clear of second-placed Arsenal ahead of the Gunners' big match against Manchester City on Sunday.Salah, meanwhile, moved into sixth place on the Premier League's all-time scoring chart Saturday, leapfrogging Chelsea legend Frank Lampard.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on February 01, 2025 in Bournemouth, England.

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Watch: Salah seals victory over Bournemouth with sublime curler

Here we go again.  Real Madrid and Manchester City were pitted against one another in Friday's dr...

Here we go again.Real Madrid and Manchester City were pitted against one another in Friday's draw for the Champions League playoff round, marking the fourth consecutive season the heavyweights will meet in the knockout stages of Europe's premier club competition.It's also a matchup between the last two Champions League winners.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Pep Guardiola's men, who avoided elimination in the inaugural league phase by winning on Matchday 8 and jumping to 22nd in the table, knew going into Friday's draw that they'd be paired with either Madrid or Bayern Munich."In two weeks will be better than we are (now)," Guardiola <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3204041" href="https://thescore.com/news/3204041">said</a> after City narrowly escaped a humbling exit by beating Club Brugge this week. "Against these two giants, one of them we are going to play, we'll see how we arrive. ... Sometimes it is impossible today, but tomorrow the mindset, the vibes change."In the end, they were handed a familiar opponent with the record 15-time champions, who knocked Man City out of last season's competition with a shootout victory in the quarterfinals.Bayern, meanwhile, were paired with Scottish champions Celtic, who are back in the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time in 12 years.The playoff round features the teams that finished between ninth and 24th place in the opening stage of the revamped tournament. Here's how the draw unfolded in full:<ul>
<li>Brest vs. Paris Saint-Germain</li>
<li>Club Brugge vs. Atalanta</li>
<li>Manchester City vs. Real Madrid</li>
<li>Juventus vs. PSV Eindhoven</li>
<li>Monaco vs. Benfica</li>
<li>Sporting CP vs. Borussia Dortmund</li>
<li>Celtic vs. Bayern Munich</li>
<li>Feyenoord vs. AC Milan</li>
</ul>The first legs of the knockout playoffs will be played on Feb. 11 and 12, with the return fixtures slated for the following week, on Feb. 18 and 19.Friday's draw also helped clarify the path each of the 24 teams remaining in the competition will take to reach this season's final.The eight winners of the playoff matchups will be drawn against the eight highest-placed sides from the league phase after the latter earned automatic berths to the round of 16. Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, and Aston Villa have the luxury of sitting back and watching the knockout playoffs unfold before returning to action.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The road to Munich mapped out 🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLdraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLdraw</a> <a href="https://t.co/BbVxl80dhD">pic.twitter.com/BbVxl80dhD</a>— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1885300134830916024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>That draw, which will crystallize the entire knockout bracket, will take place Feb. 21, two days after the playoff round is complete.This season's Champions League final takes place at the Allianz Arena on May 31.

NYON, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 31: A detailed view of the UEFA Champions League trophy on stage during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Knockout Round Play-offs Draw at the UEFA Headquarters, The House of the European Football, on January 31, 2025, in Nyon, Switzerland.

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Champions League draw: Real Madrid meet Man City in playoff round

The opening round of this season's Champions League came to a thrilling conclusion Wednesday. We ...

The opening round of this season's Champions League came to a thrilling conclusion Wednesday. We review the league phase of Europe's premier club competition by picking out the biggest winners and losers after a chaotic slate of matches closed things out.<h3>Winner: UEFA</h3>If you listen closely enough, you can hear Aleksander Ceferin and the UEFA bigwigs patting each other on the back right now. The revamped "Swiss" format was one of the standout stars of the opening round. It isn't perfect, and it's pretty transparently rooted in the greed of Europe's wealthy elite - more matches, more money, and less risk of outright failure were the primary motivations behind forcing the governing body into this change.And yet, it was a clear success for UEFA, even if it did it mainly to stave off the threat of a breakaway Super League.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Wednesday's league phase finale, when all 36 teams played at the same time, was the crown jewel of the "new" Champions League so far. Scott Hanson, the face of "NFL RedZone," the world's preeminent sports whip-around show, praised the potential of "Matchday Mayhem" on social media. It was a spectacle built for a TV and mobile audience that can become a staple of the soccer calendar, similar to transfer deadline day, for years.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761250/cropped_GettyImages-2186540632.jpg?ts=1734534031" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761250/w220xh124_GettyImages-2186540632.jpg?ts=1734534031 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761250/w320xh180_GettyImages-2186540632.jpg?ts=1734534031 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761250/w640xh360_GettyImages-2186540632.jpg?ts=1734534031 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761250/w768xh432_GettyImages-2186540632.jpg?ts=1734534031 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761250/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2186540632.jpg?ts=1734534031 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Nick Potts - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</figcaption></figure>On the pitch, all but two of the 18 games had ramifications for the knockout stage. Teams that had already secured a playoff berth going into Matchday 8 wanted to slingshot up the standings and squeeze into the top eight, while others, like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, needed results to reach the playoffs at all. The stakes were tangible. Even though there weren't any truly stunning eliminations in the end - City, most notably, escaped - the movement of clubs up and down the table, often back-and-forth within minutes as goals flooded in all across the continent, was a rush. Events in one country directly impacted a match in another, with both partisan and neutral fans trying to keep up for two frantic hours as the live table changed and the knockout bracket shifted along with it.There was some luck involved here, of course. Throughout the opening round, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, and other perennial powers oscillated between highs and lows, rising and falling in the standings, sometimes drastically, with each result. That created intrigue as underdogs like Brest, Lille, and Atalanta took advantage. That won't happen every season, but the format helped create that reality thanks to the wider variety of matchups. Detractors claim that there's no true jeopardy, and Man City, for instance, didn't face any real consequences for playing so poorly and winning just three times. That's not entirely true, though. They advanced, yes, but their lowly position will result in a playoff matchup against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the next round, and the very real threat of not even reaching the last 16. Seems plenty consequential.Meanwhile, teams that otherwise wouldn't even sniff the knockout stage under the old system have a chance to make history and memories."I really like it, and I think tonight the people watching on TV and in the stadiums must have really enjoyed it," Brest coach Eric Roy said. "There was a lot of suspense. It gives a chance to the smaller teams like us."The old format, which often had groups decided after just four games and the favorites kicking their feet up to close out the round, had grown stale after two decades. The new one isn't flawless - eight matches is probably too many - but it's rejuvenated the early stage of the competition. For now, at least.<h3>Loser: FIFPro</h3>So, about those issues. The most glaring is the added workload. It seems new competitions are being added all the time, and existing ones are being expanded at both the club and international levels - hello, Gianni Infantino. Against that backdrop, giving every Champions League side two additional matches in the tournament's opening round and then adding a playoff round before the last 16 only contributes to the valid concerns about increased injury risk and player welfare.It's <a href="https://x.com/FIFPRO/status/1882746340226351564?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">not uncommon</a> for players to make 65 appearances (or more) in a calendar year if there's an international tournament in the summer. The "offseason" doesn't exist anymore. No wonder knees are buckling and hamstrings are tearing all over the place. And yet, FIFPro, the union that "defends the working rights of over 60,000 men's and women's footballers," appears increasingly powerless to stop the bloat. A player strike, while eye-catching whenever it's discussed, is unlikely because consensus will be impossible to reach among FIFPro's vast player body; what might make sense for the elite Champions League star won't work for the League Two player. The former gets all the attention, but the latter is just as important.If the supersized Champions League format continues to generate interest and excitement each season, how can FIFPro combat it? Clubs and fans are ravenous - one for revenue, the other for entertainment. Good luck telling either group that the tap needs to be turned off now.<h3>Winner: Raphinha</h3>No player had more goal involvements in the league phase than Raphinha, whose trickery, creativity, and clinical finishing helped Barcelona surge to second place in the table and an automatic berth in the last 16. The Brazilian, who finished the opening round with eight goals, four assists, and three Man of the Match awards, is starting to get Ballon d'Or whispers. They could turn into shouts soon enough.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751326/cropped_GettyImages-2180578795.jpg?ts=1729714820" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751326/w220xh124_GettyImages-2180578795.jpg?ts=1729714820 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751326/w320xh180_GettyImages-2180578795.jpg?ts=1729714820 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751326/w640xh360_GettyImages-2180578795.jpg?ts=1729714820 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751326/w768xh432_GettyImages-2180578795.jpg?ts=1729714820 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751326/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2180578795.jpg?ts=1729714820 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Alex Caparros - UEFA / UEFA / Getty</figcaption></figure>Barcelona still look defensively suspect under Hansi Flick. Of the 24 teams that advanced, only three - Feyenoord, Celtic, and, incredibly, Manchester City - conceded more goals than the Catalan side. But Raphinha always gives the tournament's great entertainers the chance to outscore their issues at the back. Barca's 28 league phase goals were easily the most of any side, and he was the driving force behind nearly half of them.<h3>Loser: Pep Guardiola</h3>Manchester City survived, but for how long?Pep Guardiola's team got the nervy win it needed Wednesday against Club Brugge, but the 2023 tournament winners would've been sent packing if the Belgian side had been more ruthless in front of goal. City remain extremely brittle, and Guardiola still hasn't figured out how to address that problem. Perhaps extended reps and integration into the squad for January signings Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis, along with the return of injured defenders Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias, will rectify the issues. Defensive fragility is never a good quality, but it's especially problematic when you're staring down a matchup with either Real Madrid, where Kylian Mbappe now seems back to his frightening best, or Bayern Munich, who can throw an endless array of different and dangerous forwards at you.Guardiola has to contend with that in the playoff round while navigating a brutal domestic schedule. In order, City's next four Premier League matches are against Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, and bogey side Tottenham, and the two-legged tie against either Madrid or Bayern will be sandwiched right in the middle.<h3>Winners: Lille</h3>With respect to Aston Villa and their excellent eighth-place finish, arguably no team's success was more surprising or refreshing than that of Lille, who steamrolled Feyenoord 6-1 on Matchday 8 to grab seventh place in the table and an unexpected bye to the round of 16. Only Liverpool, at Anfield, and Sporting CP, when Ruben Amorim was still on the touchline, beat the French club in the opening eight matches. The Stade Pierre-Mauroy, where Bruno Genesio's team went unbeaten to collect 10 out of a possible 12 points, was absolutely rocking throughout the league phase.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Une joie comme rarement 🥳 𝑻𝑶𝑼𝑺 𝑬𝑵𝑺𝑬𝑴𝑩𝑳𝑬 𝑶𝑵 𝑳'𝑨 𝑭𝑨𝑰𝑻 🤩 <a href="https://t.co/ThxHfTu9Hc">pic.twitter.com/ThxHfTu9Hc</a>— LOSC (@losclive) <a href="https://twitter.com/losclive/status/1884746307950047548?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Jonathan David was a big reason why.The Canadian forward, an impending free agent, scored six goals in the opening round, including a scintillating three-match run against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Juventus, in which he found the net four times. That's the kind of stuff you tell your grandkids about. He couldn't have timed his Champions League hot streak better if he tried. His next contract, whichever team it comes from, got more lucrative with each passing performance.<h3>Loser: Jurgen Klopp</h3>Red Bull's new head of global soccer has some immediate work to do. Perhaps more than he expected. Leipzig and Salzburg, the two clubs flying the flag for the energy drink empire in this season's Champions League, finished with a combined two wins, six points, and a minus-29 goal differential en route to being eliminated from the tournament. The schedule didn't do either club any favors - both faced a gauntlet of Europe's elite - but this was still a resounding disappointment. One of Klopp's pupils, former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders, was sacked by Salzburg in December. Marco Rose, another disciple, is under pressure in Saxony. Leipzig's showing was particularly ugly, highlighted by a 3-2 home loss to Juventus in a game where they led 2-1 and played against 10 men for 30 minutes. Given how pitiful Juve looked for much of the league phase afterward, hindsight paints an even bleaker picture for the German club.Klopp also had to watch on as his former team, Liverpool, just kept rolling along without him, exceeding all expectations under his successor, Arne Slot, and grabbing first place overall after a nearly perfect league phase. His bond with Liverpool is such that he wouldn't want anything other than success for the club, but deep down, somewhere, he must be thinking: "It would be nice if they didn't look this great without me."

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Winners and losers from Champions League's revamped opening round

Manchester City went into Wednesday's Champions League match against Club Brugge knowing that onl...

Manchester City went into Wednesday's Champions League match against Club Brugge knowing that only a win would be enough for them to reach the knockout stage and avoid a humbling early exit in the league phase.Their task was made more difficult on the stroke of halftime when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/184817" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/184817">Raphael Onyedika</a> opened the scoring for the visitors at Etihad Stadium.(Available to view in U.S. only)<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Raphael Onyedika stuns Man City with his first-ever UCL goal 🤯 Man City are currently facing elimination as it stands 😳 <a href="https://t.co/OP72C0Wf0I">pic.twitter.com/OP72C0Wf0I</a>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1884707673720901691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>(Available to view in Canada only)<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It’s another shocker at City as they go 1-0 down to Club Brugge! 😬🇧🇪 🖥 Watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> live on DAZN in selected territories <a href="https://t.co/UvbISjVnU2">pic.twitter.com/UvbISjVnU2</a>— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) <a href="https://twitter.com/DAZN_CA/status/1884706006946435516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>But Pep Guardiola's team turned things around in the second half.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/13191" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/13191">Mateo Kovacic</a> scored early after the interval to level the match, and an own goal from the visitors nine minutes later put City ahead and on track for the knockout stage.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 29: Dejected players of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Manchester City and Club Brugge KV at City of Manchester Stadium on January 29, 2025 in Manchester, England.

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Man City trying to avoid humbling Champions League elimination

Neymar's time in Saudi Arabia is officially over, seemingly paving the way for his much-anticipat...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsm/players/14263" href="https://thescore.com/olymsm/players/14263">Neymar</a>'s time in Saudi Arabia is officially over, seemingly paving the way for his much-anticipated return to Brazil.The 32-year-old's Al-Hilal contract was terminated by mutual consent Monday. The next and potential final step of Neymar's career is expected to be Santos, where his rise to superstardom began as a teenager.Neymar will undergo a medical before rubber-stamping his homecoming with the Brazilian giants, transfer insider <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1884013648546521109">Fabrizio Romano</a> reported. The attacker is set to sign a six-month contract with the option of an extra year, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43589297/al-hilal-neymar-terminate-contract-ahead-santos-move">ESPN</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Al Hilal and Neymar Jr. have agreed to terminate the player’s contract by mutual consent. Thank you and good luck,Neymar 💙 <a href="https://t.co/9edCVWBGop">pic.twitter.com/9edCVWBGop</a>— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alhilal_EN/status/1884011624614543830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus said earlier in January that Neymar can "no longer play at the level we are used to," fueling rumors of a departure. He wasn't registered to play in the second half of the Saudi Pro League (SPL) season as a result.The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar endured a lackluster spell in Saudi Arabia.Al-Hilal paid a reported €90 million to sign the forward from PSG in the summer of 2023, giving him a contract worth an estimated €101 million annually. But Neymar tore his ACL while on international duty with Brazil not long after making that switch, missing a full calendar year as a result and struggling to regain full fitness after recovering from the serious knee injury.He made just seven appearances in all competitions for Al-Hilal, scoring one goal."The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career with Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career," Al-Hilal <a href="https://x.com/Alhilal_EN/status/1884015745589518834">said</a> in a statement.It's unknown what the resolution was between Neymar and Al-Hilal while the player was apparently due $65 million for the remainder of his contract, ESPN reported.Neymar, the top scorer in the history of Brazil's men's national team, was linked with a move to the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer this month, while the idea of a reunion with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami was floated. But playing for Santos again seemed to be his preference all along.At 19, Neymar scored in the second leg as Santos beat Penarol to win the Copa Libertadores final in 2011. Thirteen-and-a-half years later, he's reportedly joining a team that's back in Brazil's top tier after quickly recovering from the first relegation in its history.

Brazil's Neymar celebrates during the 2026 World Cup qualifier match between Brazil and Bolivia at the Olympic Stadium of Para in Belem, capital of the State of Para, Brazil, on Sept. 8, 2023.

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Neymar's Al-Hilal contract terminated

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