Thibaut Courtois’ start to life at the Spanish capital has been all but easy.
But now, things are finally starting to look just a bit better for the big Belgian between the sticks.
Real Madrid are finding their feet and with them, so is Courtois who’s slowly but surely showing his true colours to his fans.
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On Wednesday night, Los Blancos completely obliterated Galatasaray in the Champions League, putting six goals past them at the Santiago Bernabeu with Courtois recording his fourth clean sheet in a row at the same time.
By all standards, it was quite the night for the lads wearing the royal white of the Galacticos and for all of their fans watching.
Many Madridistas were quick to jump to Twitter and social media to praise the man that was once a heavily criticised figure in the squad.
They seem to be loving this big improvement and boost in confidence the goalie has been showing as of late.
You can see some of their replies down in the collection of tweets below:
Those were the words spoken by Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez in a recent interview with France Football.
In the interview, he explained how the Leicester City hierarchy blocked a proposed move to Arsenal the summer after the Foxes had won the title in 2016 and how he felt frustrated with the Foxes’ slide down the table the following season.
He eventually swapped blue shirts in the summer of 2018 in a £60m deal, and has gone on to win back-to-back Premier League titles, but has only scored 15 goals in all competitions since, which is less than the 18 he managed just in the league campaign of 2015/16 (via Transfermarkt).
However, his comments that those years between the title and his move to the Etihad were essentially a waste have not gone down well with the Foxes faithful.
They took to Twitter to slam the former Player of the Year, with many of them now poking fun at the fact he’s been reduced to a substitutes role in his new abode.
Possibly one of those ‘think before you speak’ moments for Mahrez.
Glasgow Rangers made two signings on deadline day, as defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo and attacking midfielder Nedim Bajrami joined from Feyenoord and Sassuolo respectively.
It might not have been the business the Ibrox faithful were looking for, but two signings is better than none, giving Philippe Clement a couple of options to choose from in key positions.
Moving on the likes of Scott Wright and Todd Cantwell recently will have also helped in regard to getting more players off the wage bill, but the onus will be on Clement to further strengthen in January.
The Belgian manager will now have to utilise the players he has at his disposal between now and then, hoping that the Light Blues will still be in a title race by then.
In the Premiership, the club have won two of their three matches, sitting two points behind Celtic ahead of the first Old Firm clash of the season on Sunday.
It has been a stuttering start to the campaign, but the 6-0 win over Ross County last week saw the team get into their stride, as both Rabbi Matondo and Cyriel Dessers shone against the Highland side.
Dessers has endured his criticism, but could he turn out to be an important player for the Gers as the season progresses?
Cyriel Dessers’ statistics for Rangers this season
The Nigerian centre-forward has featured in all six of the Light Blues’ fixtures so far this term, scoring five goals and chipping in with an assist.
A more than impressive return, but he will now be expected to step up against the likes of Celtic and in Europe, scoring against better teams in tighter matches.
Against County, he was superb. Along with his two goals, the 29-year-old completed 100% of his passes, made two key passes and created a big chance during the encounter.
Goals
3
Assists
0
Big chances created
1
Big chances missed
3
Shots per game
3.3
Successful dribbles per game
0.7
Goals breed confidence, which means Dessers should be heading into the first derby match of the campaign aiming to score his first ever Old Firm goal.
If he can link up well with those flanking him, along with whoever plays in the number ten slot, then the striker has the capability to cause the Celtic defender plenty of problems.
Despite his strong start to the season, Clement certainly missed a trick by failing to sign another centre-forward during the summer transfer window, especially considering how many the Light Blues were linked with.
One name went on to join another club in Europe and helped lead them to the group stages of the reformed Champions League – Albion Rrahmani.
Rangers' summer search for a striker
One of the biggest transfer sagas, particularly during the first half of the transfer window, was whether Rangers would bring the Kosovan striker to Ibrox.
Even at the start of August, his club side Rapid were claiming that the asking price for the striker was set at around €6m (£5m) if any club wished to sign him before the deadline.
It soon became clear that the Gers were not going to make a move for him, as he subsequently joined Sparta Prague instead, resulting in a major missed opportunity for Clement and Co.
Rrahmani had scored 18 goals in just 29 matches for the Romanian club last term, showcasing his talents in front of goal during his single campaign at Rapid.
The 24-year-old also created 13 big chances, averaged two key passes per game and succeeded with 1.2 dribbles per game, proving that he could link up well with others, which would have given Clement a big advantage.
Since moving to Prague, he has already opened his account, scoring against Malmö, which secured progression into Europe’s premier club competition for the Czech side.
Would Rangers have managed to qualify for the group stages if Rrahmani was in the starting XI? Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the qualities that the striker would have brought to the club may have given them an advantage against Dynamo Kyiv.
Why Albion Rrahmani would have been ideal for Cerny
Clement may not have improved all areas of the first-team squad during the summer transfer window, but one area which is stronger now than what it was last season is the right wing.
Not only has Wright departed Ibrox, but Czech winger Vaclav Cerny has joined the Gers on a season-long loan deal from Wolfsburg, adding some experience to that side of the pitch.
The 26-year-old has already begun to showcase his talents at Ibrox, notching a goal and two assists in six games, of which only three appearances were from the starting XI.
His pinpoint deliveries into the box have worked well for Dessers so far, but imagine how Rrahmani would fare with the Czech winger providing plenty of chances for him in the box.
Dubbed as “powerful” by Rangers Journal founder Kai Watson amid the links to Ibrox, Rrahmani would be a dream player for Cerny, causing chaos in Scotland and on the continent.
Dessers, although much improved in recent weeks, certainly isn’t the striker to lead the Light Blues to the Premiership title, especially considering how many big chances that he misses.
Signing Rrahmani would have been a major upgrade for the Nigerian striker ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, but it was clear the funds weren’t readily available at the time to lure him to Scotland.
Dessers and Danilo will be tasked with leading the Gers to glory this term. Supported by the likes of Cerny and Matondo, hardly the players the supporters were expecting when the transfer window opened in June.
Phillipe Clement
The season is still in its embryonic stage and anything can happen during a nine-month-long race, but the general feeling is the club are far too lightweight in the attacking department and this could be Clement’s downfall.
Only time will tell whether these players are good enough when it really matters.
Rangers have struck gold on Ibrox gem who's worth millions more than Cerny
Philippe Clement has signed a player who could be sold for a substantial profit in the future…
The agent of an "exceptional" Rangers player has held talks with a new club over a move away for his client this week, according to a fresh transfer claim.
Summer of exits at Rangers
The Gers had one of their busiest summers in recent memory when it came to new signings, with nine fresh faces brought in to add to the depth within Philippe Clement's squad. Such was the focus in incomings, however, that it's easy to forget that a number of established stars also brought an end to their time at Ibrox, heightening the need for additions.
The likes of Borna Barisic, John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe all left when their respective contracts expired, meaning Clement lost a huge amount of experience and quality in the same period.
Glasgow Rangers striker Kemar Roofe.
There has also been plenty of speculation regarding the future of James Tavernier at Rangers, with the right-back linked with a move away from the club all summer long. In fact, the Scottish Premiership side are even believed to be open to the idea of selling him, perhaps feeling that now is the right time to receive a hefty amount of money for his signature.
Now, another significant claim has emerged – one that suggests the Englishman could soon be an ex-Gers player, following a magnificent spell at Ibrox.
"Exceptional" Rangers ace in talks over exit
According to Takvim [via Sport Witness], Besiktas are now looking to complete the signing of Rangers captain James Tavernier this week, snapping him up before the summer transfer window closes in Turkey on Friday.
They are believed to have held talks with the 32-year-old's agent over a move to the club, with former Gers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst now the manager of the Turkish side and wanting to get a deal over the line, telling those high up at the club to sort it over the next 96 hours.
Seeing Tavernier leave Rangers in the next few days before the Turkish window slams shut would be a sad sight for many supporters, considering what an influential performer he has been over the past nine years.
The right-back has a quite stunning record for the Scottish outfit, registering 256 goal contributions (125 goals and 131 assists) in 467, and his level of creativity and leadership will be a massive loss, weakening Clement team's significantly at a time when they are looking to get the better of rivals Celtic.
Appearances
467
Goals
125
Assists
131
On the flip side, however, Tavernier is now 32, so cashing in on him now could look beneficial further down the line, as Rangers use the funds to sign younger options in upcoming windows.
Rangers blundered by releasing SPFL star who's now worth more than Yilmaz
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Looking at the here and now, selling the Gers skipper feels like a monumental hit to their chances of glory – Clement has described him as "exceptional" – but the bigger picture means there is an element of sense to it, especially if he feels he wants a fresh challenge at this point in his career.
The summer transfer window officially slams shut for business on Friday and Celtic do not have much time left to complete their incoming and outgoing business.
Brendan Rodgers is yet to make an outfield signing of a player who was not a part of his squad from the 2023/24 campaign, as Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo have joined on permanent deals after their loan spells in Glasgow.
He has also brought in two goalkeepers – Viljami Sinisalo and Kasper Schmeichel – to replace Joe Hart, who retired at the end of last season after three years at Parkhead.
To date, though, there have not been any outfield players to improve the squad that ended last term as the Scottish Premiership and SFA Cup champions.
There could be movement in the final days of the summer transfer window, however, as one of Rodgers' stars looks set for a move away from the club.
Attacking midfielder Matt O'Riley is the subject of interest from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion, who are reportedly set to sign him for a deal worth up to £30m.
His exit from the Scottish side would be a big blow for the club after his terrific performances at the top end of the pitch throughout the 2023/24 campaign.
Why losing Matt O'Riley would be a huge blow
The Denmark international has been a consistent performer for the Premiership champions and has proven himself to be an influential figure on the pitch since his move from England in 2022.
Ange Postecoglou swooped to sign the young whiz from League One side MK Dons in January 2022 for a reported fee of £1.5m, which means that Celtic would make a gigantic profit on him if they cash in for more than £25m.
He produced four goals and three assists in 16 matches during the second half of that season, before going on to register three goals and 12 assists in 38 league games during his first full campaign in Scotland.
The left-footed magician then exploded under Rodgers last season by showcasing his quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals on a regular basis for the Hoops.
O'Riley registered 18 goals and 13 assists in 37 appearances from a central midfield position in the Premiership for Celtic as they won the division.
Sofascore rating
7.91
1st
Goals
18
1st
Assists
13
1st
Big chances created
14
1st
Key passes per game
2.5
1st
As you can see in the table above, the 23-year-old talent was the club's most influential figure at the top end of the pitch when it came to scoring and creating goals in the top-flight.
No player provided as many goals, assists, big chances created, or key passes as O'Riley did in the Premiership for Celtic, which illustrates how important he was to the team.
Whilst the Bhoys may look to replace him with an immediate first-team addition, like LAFC's Mateusz Bogusz, Rodgers could also land a future star who could be developed into the next O'Riley at Parkhead.
Celtic's interest in teenage sensation
Earlier this month, Swedish outlet Fotboll Direkt claimed that Celtic are one of a number of teams interested in signing Hammarby youngster Bazoumana Toure.
The report stated that the Hoops have sent scouts to watch the 18-year-old talent in action over the summer as they consider a move for the gem.
It was also revealed that Crystal Palace, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen are also keeping tabs on the Ivorian ace, which suggests that there could be strong competition for his signature from major leagues in Europe.
Earlier this summer, it was reported that it would take an offer of more than £7.3m to tempt Hammarby into cashing in on their starlet before the end of the window.
It now remains to be seen whether or not Celtic, Palace, Frankfurt, or Leverkusen are willing to offer £7m+ to land the Ivory Coast international to bolster their respective squads over the coming days before Friday's deadline.
Selling O'Riley to Brighton for £30m could free up some funds for the Hoops to play with and Toure could come in as a future star for the Scottish giants.
Why Celtic should sign Bazoumana Toure
The 18-year-old is an up-and-coming talent who could be developed into a top-quality player for Celtic in the years to come, which means that they could invest in him at £7m+ in the hope that he is worth £30m or more in the future.
He would not be a like-for-like replacement for O'Riley but the teenage whiz is another left-footed attacking midfielder who has the potential to contribute with goals and assists.
Whilst the Danish ace typically operates in a central midfield role, with a license to get forward into attacking positions in a dominant Celtic side, Toure is a left-sided player who has also been deployed as one of two number tens in behind a centre-forward with Hammarby.
The Ivorian sensation, whose form was hailed as "phenomenal" by video scout Elijah Michiels, has enjoyed a strong start to his first-team career in the 2024 Allsvenskan season so far.
Appearances
13
Sofascore rating
7.45
Goals
5
Key passes per game
1.1
Big chances created
3
Assists
2
As you can see in the table above, Toure has provided quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals from an attacking midfield position, whether that has been wide left in a three or centrally in a two behind a striker.
At the age of 18, he has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and progress further and there would not be any immediate pressure for him to perform at Parkhead, given that he has yet to prove himself outside of Sweden.
Rodgers could bring him in as a long-term project and look to help him improve on the training pitch over the months and years to come, to develop him into O'Riley 2.0 as another left-footed midfielder who can score and create goals on a consistent basis.
Celtic in talks to sign £8.5m magician who's a Kyogo and O'Riley hybrid
The Hoops are reportedly pursuing a deal to sign the versatile attacker this month.
Southampton finally announced Russell Martin as their new manager on Wednesday and now look set to ramp up their preparations for the new Championship campaign.
Martin arrives from Swansea City with a reputation for playing free-flowing football, which supporters will now hope to see at St Mary's following their relegation from the Premier League.
The Saints released a number of players following the expiration of their contracts earlier this month, but they have yet to officially sign or sell anyone.
However, with speculation continuing to grow regarding the future of striker Nathan Tella, Martin's first port of call may well be bringing in an adequate replacement.
Three clubs have reportedly made their interest in Tella known, but the Saints may potentially have priced each of those out of the market by valuing him at £15m.
It may well be that the Saints' resolve breaks as the window goes on, though, and they could do with signing a replacement sooner rather than later.
According to the Sheffield Star, Sheffield Wednesday striker Josh Windass is one of those being eyed up by the Saints.
What would Josh Windass bring to Southampton?
The report suggests that with Windass now into the final year of his contract at Hillsborough, Southampton are ready to test the waters with an opening bid.
Wednesday are currently without a manager following Darren Moore's shock departure this week and face a second major setback should Windass move on.
The 29-year-old followed in his father Dean's footsteps last month when scoring the winning goal in a play-off final to fire Wednesday past Barnsley and back into the Championship, earning himself iconic status among Owls fans in the process.
Windass' antics off the pitch have seen him labelled a "crackpot" by former Rangers favourite Andy Little, but he also impressed on it during his time at Ibrox as he scored 13 goals in 33 appearances in his final Scottish Premiership campaign.
Burnley forward Nathan Tella.
Moves to Wigan Athletic and Wednesday followed, and he has continued to show his quality across three-and-a-half years with the latter. Windass scored 12 goals last season and assisted another seven in 37 appearances as Wednesday ended their wait for a return to the Championship.
It would be difficult to argue the case of Windass – valued at £4m by Football Observatory – being an upgrade on Tella should the latter swap St Mary's for Turf Moor, where he scored 17 goals on loan last season.
However, Windass has the ability to both score and assist, as shown by his 0.66 goal involvements per 90 minutes in League One last season. That compares to 0.79 for Tella in the Championship, as per FBref.
Windass can also bring other qualities to Southampton, such as his ability to play off the striker or on the right, with his 3.58 crosses per 90 minutes an increase on Tella's 2.24.
There are similarities between the pair in terms of tackles won per 90 (0.47 for Tella compared to 0.40 for Windass) and interceptions (0.36 v 0.26).
Keeping hold of Tella would be the ideal scenario for Martin, but with rival clubs circling, it makes perfect sense for Southampton to kick off their summer spending with a move for a possible replacement in Windass.
Tottenham Hotspur have an "edge" in any deal to get James Maddison from Leicester City, claims insider Dean Jones.
The England international was a key part of the Foxes side that was relegated from the Premier League last season, but Spurs could hand him a lifeline.
Tottenham Hotspur transfer news – James Maddison
The shock relegation of Leicester City has meant that the departure of some of their best players now looks incredibly likely, chief among them James Maddison.
The England international was one of the few bright sparks in what was otherwise a bleak season for the Midlands club, scoring ten goals and assisting a further nine in the league alone.
That kind of form has led to interest from a host of top clubs alongside Spurs, notably Newcastle United.
The expected price tag for the player Gareth Southgate once labelled as "world-class", is £60m, according to the reports.
Leicester midfielder James Maddison.
What has Dean Jones said about James Maddison to Tottenham Hotspur?
Jones made it clear that Ange Postecoglou was keen on the player and that the club have an advantage with any transfer due to their connections with those negotiating the deal.
Speaking on the The Football Terrace's Done Deal Show, he said: "Tottenham have had an interest in James Madison for a long time, as we know. They've got their new manager in place now, and he's very much on board with the addition of James Madison. My personal understanding of it is that the people being used to do the deal have good connections with Tottenham, which could give them an edge in this conversation.
Jones gave an insight into the possible price, adding: "Now that's been backed up by a couple of people that I've spoken to in the last week. And they just feel that like Tottenham are in a very good position to go and get this done at £55m/£60m if they want to go and do it now."
Would James Maddison be a good signing for Tottenham Hotspur?
The former Norwich City man would be an excellent signing for the North London club if they want to return to the free-flowing attacking football that was so synonymous with the club in years past.
Granted, he was a part of the relegated Leicester City last season, but that relegation came despite Maddison's performances, not because of them.
According to WhoScored, the 26-year-old averaged an incredibly impressive rating of 7.24 across his 28 Premier League appearances this year, even when the surrounding team weren't reaching anywhere near those levels.
His underlying numbers help to demonstrate further that he has the capability to be plying his trade at a higher level.
FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, place the player in the top 6% for expected assists, the top 10% for actual assists, the top 12% for total shots and the top 13% for shot creating actions, all per 90.
The attacking "monster" – as once described by journalist Josh Bunting – doesn't hide away from the defensive side of the game either, as FBref also have him in the top 17% for tackles per 90.
If Spurs are to rediscover their footballing identity in the coming season, Maddison could be the player that helps them do it.
Leeds United reportedly see Daniel Farke as a "serious" candidate to take charge at Elland Road this summer, according to a fresh claim.
Who is favourite to take Leeds job?
The search to be the next Whites boss is ongoing currently, with the club working diligently to ensure that the correct appointment is made this time around.
It could be argued that all three of Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce were the wrong choices to sit in the Elland Road hot seat, and it has ultimately led to Leeds being relegated from the Premier League.
Since Allardyce's recent departure, endless names have been linked with the vacant Whites job, with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard arguably at the front of the queue, along with the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Carlos Corberan and Scott Parker, to name a few.
Farke is also a name that has recently been thrown into the hat, however, with journalist Phil Hay name-checking Leeds' interest in him on Saturday, and a new update further suggests that their interest is genuine.
Could Farke be the next Whites manager?
According to Sport1, Farke is a "serious" option to become the Whites' new boss, with "loose" talks being held over a move to Elland Road, having parted ways with Borussia Monchengladbach recently.
The takeover of Leeds by 49ers Enterprises has happened at the same time, suggesting they see Farke as more of a strong appointment that the previous owners, although the timing could simply be coincidence.
The former Norwich City manager could be a really shrewd choice as manager by the Whites, considering he has guided the Canaries to two title-winning seasons in the Championship in the past, showing that he is an expert at getting out of arguably one of the most competitive leagues in Europe.
It is imperative that Leeds make a fast return to the Premier League and don't allow years of good work to completely go to waste in no time at all, and Farke is a strong choice for that reason, compared to the likes of Gerrard and Corberan, who haven't achieved as much to date.
It feels like one of the most pivotal summers at Leeds in many years, in terms of picking the right manager and making key signings to take the team forward – in the 46-year-old Farke, the Whites have a reliable choice who could jump at the chance to return to English football.
An update has emerged on Burnley and their plans to bolster their defensive options ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window…
What's the latest on Cody Drameh to Burnley?
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Clarets are in the race to land Leeds United full-back Cody Drameh and are plotting talks with the Yorkshire-based team over a deal for the ace.
Luton Town, who have also been promoted to the Premier League ahead of next season, are set to compete for the right-back's signature after he spent the second half of the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Kenilworth Road.
"Burnley and Luton are prepared to open talks over the permanent transfer of Cody Drameh in the coming days," he tweeted.
However, the reporter has added that the Whites are hoping to convince the starlet to remain at Elland Road next term after they appoint their new head coach.
How did Cody Drameh perform this season?
The 21-year-old dynamo enjoyed a terrific campaign with the Hatters in the Championship and his performances for Rob Edwards suggest that he would be a dream heir to the departing Matthew Lowton.
It has already been confirmed that the veteran defender is leaving Turf Moor on a free transfer this summer after eight years at the club and Drameh could come in as an ideal replacement.
Burnley defender Matthew Lowton.
Lowton made eight appearances in the second tier during the 2022/23 season and averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.72.
The 33-year-old offered little in the way of creativity as he made 0.5 key passes per game and, therefore, could have been a liability to the side from an attacking perspective in the top-flight due to his lack of quality in possession.
Whereas, Drameh, who averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.09 across 16 outings in the division, created 1.6 chances per match for Luton and showcased his ability to burst forward from right-back to open up the opposition and provide his teammates with opportunities to score in the final third.
The young full-back, who was once hailed as a "Duracell bunny" by former Cardiff City boss Steve Morison, also displayed his defensive quality as he made 4.2 tackles and interceptions per game and won 55% of his duels in the Championship.
Lowton, meanwhile, did not offer as much protection to his team at the back.
The Englishman made 2.5 tackles and interceptions per match and won 54% of his battles, which shows that he did not make as many interventions for his team as Drameh did for his and, therefore, did not stop as many opposition attacks from leading to chances.
These statistics suggest that the £4.4k-per-week talent could come in as a dream heir to the departing Burnley veteran as the 21-year-old is 12 years younger and his form in 22/23 indicates that the ace would offer more quality at both ends of the pitch.
Leeds United were relegated from the Premier League on Sunday afternoon as they fell to a disappointing 4-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, on a day when they simply had to win.
Players at Elland Road were unsurprisingly booed off on a shocking end to a dreadful campaign, with Sam Allardyce's appointment doing little to stem the run of terrible results and schoolboy defending, as the Yorkshire outfit shipped 11 goals in just four games under the experienced Englishman.
While it will be difficult for Leeds fans to pick out any positives from a nightmare day at Elland Road, the performance of Adam Forshaw was a promising one on what was likely to be his final appearance at the club.
How did Forshaw play against Tottenham Hotspur?
The 31-year-old, who is out of contract next month, has spent much of the campaign sidelined through injury but showed his quality on a day when many Leeds players simply failed to show up.
As per Sofascore, the Englishman would earn a solid 7/10 rating for his performance, which was the joint-best of any Leeds player to feature in the game, with Georginio Rutter also earning a 7/10 from the bench after contributing the assist for Jack Harrison's second half goal.
The £20k-per-week asset saw plenty of the ball on Sunday afternoon, registering 93 touches and completing 54/62 passes, which was a dramatic increase on his season average of 18.4 passes per game.
Leeds United boss Sam Allardyce.
The former Middlesbrough man also contributed four key passes, which again is a significant increase on his season average of 0.7 key passes per game, and suggests that he was the chief creator on Sunday afternoon from midfield.
He could hardly be blamed for Leeds' defensive woes against an inspired Harry Kane, as he also contributed two tackles and one interception, which suggests that he was one of few players to actually do their job on the final day.
It was no surprise therefore that during BT Sport's coverage of the game, Gary McAllister described him as Leeds' "best player" and suggested that he was the only one who had "stood up" for the Yorkshire outfit in the first half.
While Leeds' multi-million signings showed little to no fight, Forshaw was one who put his all into the game, and it may just make the incoming manager consider whether he is worth a new short-term deal this summer, as he can leave Elland Road tonight with his head held high.