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Tony Mowbray has been here before as he attempts to get West Bromwich Albion up to the Premier League, with his first stint in charge of the Baggies culminating in promotion glory.

Indeed, Mowbray would steer the West Midlands outfit to the Championship title come the end of the 2007/08 campaign, with hope now that history repeats itself, albeit this time around likely via the playoffs.

The Hawthorns has seen many other promotions up to the top flight away from just Mowbray working his magic, however. The last time it happened was back in 2020, with an unbelievable Baggies star tearing the second tier to shreds.

Matheus Pereira's promotion heroics at West Brom

Matheus Pereira’s arrival on loan from Sporting CP before the 2019/20 season kicked off did take many by surprise, with the Brazilian entering the English game as an exciting unknown entity.

He would immediately take the Championship by storm with his set of audacious tricks and flicks with many a goal and assist also coming his way to justify the entertaining showboating.

Across the 2019/20 season in the second tier, Pereira would go on to score eight times and assist a remarkable haul of 20 strikes, before then taking to the Premier League like a duck to water as a permanent member of the Baggies team.

He closed his sensational time with the club by amassing 11 top-flight goals from 33 clashes the following campaign, before then moving out to Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal to bring his whirlwind time in England to a halt.

Mowbray might well have his own version of Pereira in his ranks right now, with the ace in question also once a stunning loanee at the promotion-chasers, until he sealed a permanent switch at the start of this campaign.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Mowbray's very own Pereira at West Brom

Away from already possessing the likes of Tom Fellows and Alex Mowatt at his disposal who are top talents for the tricky division, the ex-Sunderland boss also has Mikey Johnston to hand as yet another slick performer in the midfield.

Like Pereira, Johnston would arrive like a bolt from the blue initially on loan, with the now former Celtic man desperate to prove those wrong back at the Glasgow giants last campaign.

He did just that when turning on the style in the demanding second tier, with a stunning seven goals and two assists next to his name from 20 games resulting in the Baggies splashing the cash on the Republic of Ireland international to stay permanently rooted in the Midlands.

The £2.5m buy is already strutting his stuff during the early days of the Mowbray regime, with two of his seven goal contributions for the season in the league coming under the popular 61-year-old’s guidance, meaning he could be the spark – much like Pereira was – that sees West Brom finally jump back up to the Premier League.

The similarities don’t end there, with FBref singling out the pair as similar players with regard to their play styles across the last year.

Both Johnston and Pereira have clearly excelled as gung-ho attackers for their teams, but Johnston amazingly betters Pereira in many of their respective numbers, which includes more progressive carries and more take-ons being successfully completed by the Irishman.

Having already been lauded as “special” by previous Baggies head coach Carlos Corberan, Johnston will hope he can continue to show off his electric best under Mowbray, with it all pointing in the direction of another promotion if everything slots into place.

West Brom must regret losing EFL star who is outperforming Maja & Fellows

This ex-West Bromwich Albion midfielder has turned into an exceptional player away from the Hawthorns.

By
Kelan Sarson

Feb 11, 2025

An early first-half strike from James Maddison was enough to defeat Manchester United, who put in another disappointing performance, losing 1-0 away from home against Tottenham Hotspur.

The white side of North London has not been a happy hunting ground for Ruben Amorim’s side this season, with the Red Devils now losing twice away to Spurs.

Maddison’s goal 13 minutes into the game did not kill off United. They had plenty of chances, with many of the best opportunities falling to Alejandro Garnacho. The winger blazed over the bar from 15 yards out with no defender around him and missed a one-on-one and a shot from range in the second half.

According to the stats on Sofascore, the visitors actually had more big chances than Spurs, with two compared to one for the home side. Amorim’s side had six shots on target compared to seven for the Lilywhites. They certainly had opportunities to win the game.

It was certainly a disappointing day at the office for the Red Devils, who had chances to win the game but simply could not take them, eventually leaving the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without a point to show for their efforts. However, there were some standout players on Sunday afternoon for United.

United’s best players vs. Spurs

One of the best players for Amorim’s side on Sunday was new addition, Patrick Dorgu. He played at left wing-back, after a debut on the opposite flank, and performed well. United content creator Alice Talks Footy described his efforts as “impressive” against Spurs.

Indeed, the stats from the game suggest he played well. The Dane, who overlapped excellently, managed to create two chances, although the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Garnacho could not capitalise. He was also brilliant off the ball, winning eight out of nine duels.

Another standout player for United was Noussair Mazraoui. The summer signing played at right centre-back, and dealt with Djed Spence and Son Heung-min well, despite the obvious threat they carry, making some crucial challenges.

Someone who was complimentary of Mazraoui was journalist Alex Turk, writing for The Express. He gave the Moroccan defender a 7/10 for his efforts, explaining that he ‘defended well’ and noted that he ‘produced some big blocks’ to help keep the score at 1-0.

Mazroaui also created a golden chance for Joshua Zirkzee in the second half, and although the Dutchman didn’t score, it was about the only thing he did wrong against Spurs. He too was a standout player.

Man Utd's new Dimitar Berbatov

One of the best players to represent United and Spurs was Dimitar Berbatov. There were certainly shades of the Bulgarian striker in Zirkzee’s performance against the Lilywhites, as there has been all season.

In a separate post on X from Alice, she described the silky United striker as a “natural footballer”, much like Berbatov, who was once called an “outstanding” player by United great Gary Neville.

Watching his link-up play, excellent close control and brilliant skill, it was certainly reminiscent of the former United number nine. Indeed, journalist Charlie Parrish hinted at that comparison, while also suggesting that the former Bologna man “belongs to a different era”.

Zirkzee’s stats show just how well he played in North London. The Dutchman had 49 touches of the ball and completed 82% of his passes. He also completed two dribbles and created one chance, although did lose nine duels.

In his post-match ratings, Turk gave Zirkzee a 7/10 for his efforts. He explained he was ‘nice and tidy on the ball’ and made ‘clever passes aplenty’, although did criticise him for the missed header from Mazraoui’s cross, about the only thing he did wrong.

United’s number 11 was called the “Man of the Match” by the aforementioned Alice for his display, and it was not hard to see why. Everything good United did came through him, and it will certainly please Amorim to see the 23-year-old performing so well.

The Red Devils boss will be hoping Zirkzee’s performance level can be matched and bettered by his teammates in their next game, a bottom-half clash against Everton at Goodison Park.

Not just Garnacho: Amorim was let down by Man Utd's 5/10 "tough watch"

The Red Devils slipped to yet another Premier League defeat on Sunday

By
Joe Nuttall

Feb 16, 2025

Rodrygo's agent has reportedly made contact with two Premier League clubs after Real Madrid slapped a hefty price tag on the Brazilian superstar.

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• Rodrygo might be sold off
• Real Madrid could command £80m-£100m for him
• Two Premier League clubs are vying for his services

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to Spanish journalist Antón Meana via Cadena SER’s , Madrid intend to make a major sale that would help offset the cost of incoming transfers. The club is seeking to bolster its squad ahead of the Club World Cup, with several high-profile additions in the works, including Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras. However, financial fair play constraints mean that at least one major outgoing is now considered inevitable.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Amid this backdrop, the future of Rodrygo has taken centre stage. The 23-year-old winger is reportedly attracting serious interest from England, where his profile and reputation have long made him a coveted figure. As per fresh reports from , Arsenal are weighing up a move for the Brazilian, but it now appears they are not alone, as at least two Premier League clubs have confirmed that representatives of Rodrygo have reached out to explore the possibility of a transfer. These discussions were initiated to gauge interest and outline the player’s situation at Madrid, with the understanding that a move could be facilitated if the right offer arrives. While market observers estimate Rodrygo’s valuation at around €100 million (£84m/$113m), the figure being circulated among clubs is slightly lower, in the region of €80m (£67m/$90m). Chelsea are also interested.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Despite the growing noise around his future, Rodrygo himself has not yet made a decision. The Brazilian international remains under contract with Madrid until 2028 and is understood to be happy in the Spanish capital. With Carlo Ancelotti set to leave after the season finale against Real Sociedad, the arrival of Xabi Alonso will mark the beginning of a new tactical era. Rodrygo is reportedly keen to meet with Alonso during preseason to understand where he fits in the former midfielder’s plans. Only after this discussion will he determine whether to push for a departure or stay and fight for his place.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RODRYGO?

  Any formal movement involving Rodrygo is expected to take place in August. Real Madrid are focusing first on incoming transfers and preparations for the Club World Cup, leaving player sales as a secondary priority — at least for now. Nonetheless, the groundwork is being laid. Should the club choose to put him in the market, there will be no shortage of takers, particularly from the Premier League.

Aston Villa secured passage to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a battling win over Championship strugglers Cardiff City on Friday night.

It wasn’t a vintage performance, but Unai Emery’s side were in control throughout and now step into the last eight of England’s top cup competition for the first time in a decade – and doesn’t Emery just love a knockout-style trophy.

The Bluebirds were resilient and thwarted Villa Park’s hosts before the interval, with Ollie Watkins and Marcus Rashford missing great chances to put Villa in front, but it was Marco Asensio once again who came up with the goods to avoid a cup upset and shift one step closer.

Marco Asensio strikes again

Aston Villa welcomed Asensio from Paris Saint-Germain in January, bringing him to England on loan until the end of the term.

After scoring twice during last weekend’s dramatic victory over Chelsea, the 29-year-old was benched at Selhurst Park as Villa were thrashed by Crystal Palace, but he proved his clinical worth once again in the FA Cup.

Sharp positioning and cutting finishing left the second-tier opponents unstuck, thwarting a determined defence and giving Emery something different in attack when Watkins doesn’t have his shooting boots laced.

That’s four goals from six matches for the Spaniard, who’s proving to be a real asset as Aston Villa step into the business end of the season.

However, he wasn’t the only one to shine in the FA Cup, with a much younger teammate showing the signs of becoming a top player.

Emery's new £39m star in the making

Dutch defender Lamare Bogarde has been at Aston Villa since joining the academy from Feyenoord in 2020, with his technical quality and strong defensive skills seeing him become an increasingly familiar face in Emery’s first team.

Cardiff were limited in their attacking play, but he was composed and cultured, very much settled among his more experienced teammates.

As per Sofascore, the 21-year-old was willing to get on the ball, taking 89 touches, winning three of four contested duels and making three clearances. He was crisp in possession too, completing 96% of his passes (79/82).

Birmingham Live’s John Townley was impressed by the young centre-half as he reprised his starting berth, handing him a 7/10 match rating and praising him for his partnership with Ezri Konsa, chasing back effectively when Cardiff attempted to play in behind the home side’s high line.

Konsa has risen from good to great over the past few years, regarded as a “Rolls-Royce” of a defender by former boss Dean Smith, but since becoming an enviable cog in a rounded and thriving team.

His versatility is one of the things that makes him so impressive, and Bogarde is demonstrating similar positionally flexible virtues, as you can see below.

In fact, Bogarde’s noteworthy ranking among the top 4% of positional peers for pass completion and the top 5% for tackles per 90, as per FBref, has seen him drawn as one of Konsa’s most comparable players right now, among those in Europe’s top five leagues.

According to Football Transfers, the 27-year-old Konsa is valued at £39m, a measure of his progress since signing from Brentford for £12m in 2019.

But in actuality, Aston Villa would be within their rights to field enquiries totalling much more.

In Bogarde, Emery may well have a new young prospect to fashion into a top-class star. He will face tougher tests over the coming months but has come up trumps in recent weeks to help combat injury issues and indeed keep the trophy dream alive.

During the heavy defeat at Selhurst Park, Bogarde still won five of eight duels on the evening, making four clearances and preventing the likes of Ismaila Sarr from dribbling past him even once.

There’s real potential with this one.

Aston Villa let their new Benteke leave for £0, now he's outscoring Rogers

Aston Villa’s former club-record signing, compared to Christian Benteke, has rediscovered his scoring form in the Turkish second-tier.

By
Ben Gray

Feb 28, 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr have won their appeal against Al-Orouba for fielding an ineligible player in their 2-1 Saudi Pro League loss.

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• Al-Nassr win appeal against Al-Orouba
• Handed a win by default and three points
• Back in the race for Champions League Elite

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Saudi Pro League relegation battlers, Al-Orouba, managed to stun Al-Nassr in the first week of March with a surprise 2-1 win. Stefano Pioli's side then launched an appeal against Al-Orouba for allegedly fielding an ineligible player in the form of their goalkeeper Rafi Al-Ruwaili, who was the Man of the Match in that clash. Al-Nassr contested that the goalkeeper was not eligible to play against their side as he was a government employee, and the league demanded full-time professional players.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Saudi Sports Arbitration Centre (SSC) announced on Sunday evening that it had accepted Al-Nassr's appeal against Al-Orouba after Faris Najd had provided documented proof that Al-Ruwaili continued government work. The decision has now handed Al-Nassr an automatic win and a vital extra three points that puts them back in the hunt for AFC Champions League Elite qualification.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Two weeks ago, Al-Nassr were mathematically ruled out of the race to achieve AFC Champions League Elite qualification after their 1-1 draw with Al-Taawoun, as second-placed Al-Hilal gained a seven-point lead with two games left. However, Al-Nassr's win by default has now put them on 70 points, just two points off the last place for AFC Champions League Elite qualification.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?

  Ronaldo and Co will be in action for the last time this season when they take on Al-Fateh on Monday, May 26. To achieve AFC Champions League Elite qualification, Pioli's side will have to get a win and hope that Al-Hilal will lose, as a draw for Mohammad Al-Shalhoub's side would be enough to secure second place via goal difference.

When fans talk about the stars from Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur tenure, the same names always tend to pop up.

The first two will almost always be Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, as, individually, they were some of the very best attackers in Europe, and together, it could be argued that they were the best partnership in the Premier League.

Then, moving into midfield, people often point to the incredibly hard-working Mousa Dembélé or the technically brilliant Cristian Eriksen.

However, one player who perhaps does not get the recognition he deserves from the general public is Jan Vertonghen, who, alongside Toby Alderweireld, created an incredibly formidable defence, and now it looks like Ange Postecoglou may have uncovered his own version of the Belgian.

Vertonghen's Spurs career

After spending six years with Ajax – where he started his career – Vertonghen joined Spurs in the summer of 2012 for a fee of around £9.5m.

Under then-manager Andre Villas-Boas, the Belgian made his competitive debut for the club in late August against West Bromwich Albion, making 49 appearances across all competitions that year.

Interestingly, while the incredibly experienced professional is so heavily associated with his defensive partner Alderweireld, who he also played with at Ajax, their partnership did not come about at Spurs until the start of the 15/16 season, following his arrival from the Amsterdam outfit.

However, once the former teammates were reunited in the capital, they helped to get the best out of one another and, in turn, helped to create one of the best defences in the entire league.

For example, the Lilywhites conceded the fewest goals in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 campaigns, just 35 and 26, respectively.

On top of that, the Sint-Niklaas-born titan was also a key figure in the team that reached the Champions League final in 2019, playing in and starting ten games, including the final.

By the time he left to join Benfica in the summer of 2020, Vertonghen had made 315 appearances for the club – 40 of which were at left-back – scoring 14 goals, providing seven assists and averaging 1.84 points per game.

The former Ajax star is undoubtedly a modern great for Tottenham, and now it looks like Postecoglou could have found his own version of the unreal defender.

Spurs' new Vertonghen

One of the most significant reasons for Spurs’ dire form this season has been the absurd amount of injuries they have had to contend with.

Moreover, while the attack has seen its fair share of enforced absences, the defence has been most impacted, with one of last season’s stars, Micky van de Ven, missing 30 games so far.

The Dutch international, who joined the club from VfL Wolfsburg for around £43m in Postecoglou’s first summer, has the potential to be the club’s new Vertonghen, and there are a few reasons why.

The first is that, like the former Lilywhites star, the 23-year-old is more than just a centre-back and can play at left-back when needed.

In fact, the Wormer-born star has already played there three times for the North Londoners, and we would not be surprised to see him start there again in the future to make the most of his explosive speed.

The second reason is that while he has battled with injury problems, it’s abundantly clear to all who watch him that the former Volendam star is not your ordinary defender.

On top of his aforementioned speed – which saw him set a Premier League record last season – the 6 foot 4 monster has demonstrated countless times that he has a brilliant understanding of where he needs to be on the pitch and when he should make a tackle or block.

That ability to read the game, combined with his incredible physical attributes, is exactly why respected talent scout Jacek Kulig described the ten-capped international as a “complete & dominant” defender.

Lastly, should the club be able to keep hold of Cristian Romero in the summer, Van de Ven may have his own long-term defensive partner to create a supreme defence with.

Ultimately, Vertonghen was an utterly brilliant defender for Spurs, and while he still has some way to go, it looks as if Postecoglou may have his own version of the Belgian in the Flying Dutchman.

Ange has a "pocket rocket" out on loan who could end Werner's Spurs career

The brilliant winger could be a valuable player for Spurs next season.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Mar 10, 2025

Ex-Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey has agreed a surprise move to Mexico as he looks to continue his playing career at Pumas UNAM.

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• Ramsey agrees deal with Pumas
• Former Arsenal midfielder looks to keep playing
• Was not offered full-time coaching role at Cardiff

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  As per the PA news agency, the Welsh midfielder has agreed on a move to Liga MX to end a two-year stint back at boyhood club Cardiff City in the Championship. Ramsey was unable to save the Bluebirds from relegation after being named player-manager for the final few games of the season after the sacking of Omar Riza. There had been speculation that he would be offered the full-time position, but the club and Ramsey appear to be heading in different directions.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Pumas will become Ramsey's seventh different club in a career that has taken him across Europe. He was snapped up as a teenager by Arsenal after impressing for Cardiff and spent 11 years with the Gunners. He wrote himself into the club's deep history for his role in three FA Cup titles – scoring the winning goal in both 2014 and 2017. A move to Juventus in 2019 brought mixed success and, after a loan spell at Rangers, he made a permanent move to OGC Nice. He returned to South Wales in 2023 after just one season in France.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Ramsey will now play outside of Europe for the first time in his career. The 34-year-old will hope to add silverware in Mexico to the trophies he has already swept up in his career. Aside from the three FA Cups at Arsenal, he won Serie A and the Coppa Italia with Juventus and added a Scottish Cup at Rangers. He will also be determined to avoid being on the losing side at Pumas after tasting final defeats at Cardiff, Arsenal, Juventus and Rangers.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RAMSEY?

  As he looks to wind down his long career, Ramsey may be casting his eye to coaching. The Welshman has already had a taste of management at the Bluebirds, but may look to return to the dugout after he retires.

Cole Palmer has often been Chelsea’s go-to man in terms of goal contributions ever since his £40m transfer from Manchester City back in the summer of 2023.

The 22-year-old has exceeded beyond all expectations at Stamford Bridge, scoring 39 times and registering 21 assists in all competitions after his move.

No other Blues player has been able to match such a tally in the same time period, with the England international undoubtedly Enzo Maresca’s key man – notching 20 of his contributions since the Italian’s appointment.

Such form within the final third has allowed the former Leicester City boss to lead the side to a top-four place with just 10 games to go, looking to secure Champions League football in West London once again.

However, Maresca and Palmer would’ve had a great chance to achieve such a feat had they secured the services of one attacker who was previously on their radar.

Chelsea’s hunt to land Alexander Isak last summer

After Maresca took the reins at Chelsea, it became evidently clear that he wanted to land a new striker, with various players constantly touted with a move to the club.

Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney were two names who refused to stay away, but missed out on the pair, with Alexander Isak another name thrown into the hat at one stage.

It was reported that the Blues were keen on a deal last summer, with Newcastle United demanding over £100m for his signature, but they could land him at a cheaper price upon the opening of the window in a few months.

It has emerged that the Magpies would be willing to let him leave for €100m (£83m) should they fail to qualify for the Champions League, with Maresca’s side needing to stay on track to prevent them from doing so – increasing their chances of landing the Swede.

However, whilst he’s notched 22 goals across all competitions in 2024/25, it’s safe to say the club made the wrong call in offloading a player who’s managed to outscore him this campaign.

The former Chelsea star who’s outscoring Palmer & Isak

Despite being the club’s leading talisman in 2024/25, Palmer has found form hard to come by in recent weeks, failing to register a single goal or assist in any of his last nine matches across all competitions.

However, the same can’t be said for winger Mohamed Salah, who has continuously been a nuisance to all defenders this campaign with his contributions in attacking areas.

The 32-year-old was once on the books of Chelsea, joining from Swiss side FC Basel back in January 2014, arriving in a £11m transfer – but his time at the Bridge would be one to forget.

He would be limited to just 19 appearances for the Blues over a two and a half year period, scoring twice before being sent on various loans to Serie A outfits Fiorentina and Roma.

He would join the latter on a permanent basis for a fee of around £13m, before moving to current side Liverpool in 2017, racking up just short of 400 appearances since his transfer – starting constantly with his ability to find the back of the net.

Salah, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Roy Keane, has notched 243 goals in his eight years on Merseyside, with his tally of 32 this campaign his second-best at Anfield.

However, his subsequent tally is higher than those of Palmer and Isak, who have only both been able to register a total of 14 and 22, respectively – showcasing how impressive the Egyptian has been under Arne Slot.

His goals look set to win Liverpool another Premier League trophy, with his goals and assists firing the Reds 15 points clear of Arsenal with just a handful of games remaining this season.

Such form, combined with their success, must rub salt into the wounds of all Blues fans, demonstrating what they could’ve had if they had kept hold of the winger all those years ago.

However, Salah will always remain a case of what could’ve been at Stamford Bridge, with Maresca undoubtedly wishing he had a player of his quality to aid his top-four ambitions this campaign.

Worth more than Neto: Chelsea have a 17-year-old "future Ballon d'Or winner"

Chelsea already struck gold on their “future Ballon d’Or winner” who’s already worth more than Neto

1

By
Connor Holden

Mar 11, 2025

Harry Kane has been warned, by England manager Thomas Tuchel, that he will struggle to emulate the longevity of 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.

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• Bayern striker will turn 32 in July
• CR7 still doing the business at 40
• Portuguese GOAT is a special case

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Three Lions captain Kane, who will turn 32 in July, has stated that he wants to prolong his playing career for as long as possible. Many are considering that to be a nod towards treading the same path as five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  CR7, who is ready to extend his contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, is still winning Golden Boots at club level and major international honours with his country – having just helped Portugal to Nations League glory.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Kane is showing no sign of slowing down either, having registered the 450th goal of his career in England’s battling 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Andorra, but Tuchel says the Bayern Munich striker – along with many other players – will find it tough to maintain the form and fitness required to follow in Ronaldo’s record-shattering footsteps.

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  WHAT THOMAS TUCHEL SAID

  Tuchel told reporters: “I think it gets more and more difficult in today's game, Cristiano took a step into a league which is not as competitive as the Premier League or Spain – where he played before – as part of keeping his performance up. I think he is always the exception to the rule, we cannot go now from Cristiano Ronaldo and think everyone can play until 39 and 40 in today’s game.

  “It will be very demanding, professionalism is a given in today’s game, otherwise you have no chance and Harry has this natural ability to score goals.

  “He scored his 450th goal in the Andorra match, it was a very decisive goal, a very important one and there are at the moment no signs he cannot do it at a high level. How long he can do it, I have not a crystal ball, let’s see. He is in a club where they play dominant football, I think that can suit him.

  “Just the outlook until the World Cup, he knows that it is a crucial year for him, also in terms of fitness and being ready to compete in the World Cup in the heat, in the humidity.”

The Chilean midfielder was eager to play the Club World Cup with the Mexican side

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• Vidal is 37 years old
• Since 2024, he has been playing for Colo Colo in his native Chile
• Played for European giants such as Bayern Munich, Juventus, Barcelona, and Inter Milan

Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream now

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Pachuca remain one of the most active clubs in the transfer market just days ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup. With Jaime Lozano recently appointed as head coach, are working to build a competitive squad for the tournament and were reportedly interested in bringing in Chilean veteran Arturo Vidal as a short-term reinforcement.

  According to multiple reports, Vidal was open to joining the Liga MX side for the Club World Cup. However, Colo-Colo ultimately declined to release the player on a temporary basis. The 37-year-old midfielder, who returned to the Chilean club earlier this year, had hoped to compete in the global tournament with Pachuca, but the loan move could not be finalized.

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  Despite missing out on Vidal, Pachuca did manage to secure the services of goalkeeper Sebastián Jurado. The Mexican shot-stopper joins the club on loan from FC Juárez and will be available for the duration of the tournament.

  It's worth noting that FIFA regulations for the revamped Club World Cup allow all 32 participating teams to register new players and make replacements even after the initial roster deadline. This extended registration period will run from June 27 through July 3 – just 10 days before the final match of the competition.

  With this, Pachuca have stepped away from the pursuit of Vidal and will move forward with Federico Pereira, José Castillo, and Agustín Palavecino as their main reinforcements for the 2025 Club World Cup.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  After a successful career in Europe with top clubs like Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Barcelona, and Inter Milan, Vidal returned to his boyhood team, Colo-Colo, in early 2024. Since rejoining the Chilean giants, he has made 82 official appearances, scoring 13 goals and recording five assists. During this time, he has featured in prestigious continental competitions such as the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PACHUCA?

  Pachuca will face FC Salzburg on June 18 in Cincinnati, Real Madrid on June 22 in Charlotte, and Al Hilal on June 26 in Nashville. The matches are part of their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group stage schedule.