The government has made a late concession to the Premier League by agreeing to let English football's new independent regulator impose a compromise financial distribution deal on the game, as opposed to having to pick one of two proposals.(The Athletic)
🚨 Florian Wirtz was in north west England recently to house hunt before potential Liverpool switch, should it proceed (not related to Man City). Bayern Munich have been informed of playmaker’s preference for #LFC, as @sachatavolieri reports @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/fy36d8crZk— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 23, 2025
Sounds like Liverpool might genuinely be getting Florian Wirtz. Fair play to them if they do, about time their owners showed some ambition. Big coup for the Premier League too, the sort of talent the league badly needs.
🚨 Liverpool in talks with Bayer Leverkusen to sign Florian Wirtz. Communication channels open since Frimpong deal & ongoing for No10. If agreement reached would be club-record acquisition + most expensive German player ever. 22yo wants #LFC @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/cIhNwHPW26— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 23, 2025
Like who? I don't think there's a striker you can buy in this market who isn't a massively inferior player to Wirtz. If you have a chance of acquiring a player of this level, you buy him, regardless of how well he fits or if he's the team's biggest need. Could be years and years before they get the chance to buy a player of this level will come around again. I'm actually very surprised Wirtz is picking them over Bayern.
And Tuchel has just defended Slot’s comments and said he agrees with them. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/23/tuchel-alexander-arnold-england-defensive-role
Er, Gianni Infantino has claimed in an interview with, erm, iShowSpeed, that there are discussions for Cristiano Ronaldo to play for a team at the Club World Cup. Ronaldo’s camp unhappy with FIFA President’s comments.Report @TheAthleticFC @GuillermoRai_ https://t.co/RhCwDOs6Dx— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) May 23, 2025 FIFA must be desperate if they resorting to things like this.
Tottenham Hotspur will not be among the top seeds for next season's Champions League as Uefa has ditched its previous policy of putting the Europa League winners in Pot 1 for the draw. (The Times)
McTominay won Serie A player of the year! On whoscored the two top rated players in Serie A are McTominay and Lookman.
It’s kind of mental how things work out, two players who come through the English system but don’t represent us shine whilst nearly all of our English qualified ( some England Internationals ) have generally not been a success.
In Italy? Tomori made Serie A team of the season in his debut year and Abraham scored 27 for Roma in his first season before dropping off badly. It would be no surprise at all to see McTominay drop off badly next season too. In fact I actually expect it. Lookman has been consistently good for a few seasons now. He was a miss for England as he turned down Nigeria a couple of times whilst struggling in England. He switched and then kicked on.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Ruben Amorim informs Manchester United squad he will be in charge next season + tells Alejandro Garnacho to find new club. Happened during meeting between Portuguese head coach & #MUFC players at Carrington training base today @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/7GqJU4X6Ia— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 24, 2025
Yeah short term memory, lol. Tomori was good initially but seems to have fallen off and don’t hear much about him these days, same with Tammy sadly. Consistency seems to be an issue full stop with many of our players, how many seem to have a good season and then drop off whilst abroad.
🚨 Bayer Leverkusen reach agreement in principle to install Erik ten Hag as head coach. Now documentation stage as #Bayer04 work to finalise appointment of 55yo Dutchman following departure of Xabi Alonso. Would be first job since #MUFC exit @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/bnQIIOA5tk— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 24, 2025
Very pleasing to see Kieffer ‘cannot wait to knock England out of the World Cup’ Moore f*ck it up yesterday. Melt.
Complete brain-dead decision by Wilder to hook Campbell that early but leave Moore who´s never shown any kind of goal threat for us all season on for the whole match!
I know it sounds rather unrealistic as of now but I hope Ten Haag might consider taking Mainoo with him should that appointment actually happen. Mainoo will probably try to stay and "make it" at his boyhood club but if one of his biggest believers and mentors would want to follow him to Leverkusen I think that could potentially change his mind. Going to Leverkusen should be a good move and level at the current stage of his career, especially since Amorim doesn´t seem to think he suits his way of playing (whatever that is...). I found it almost criminal how little time he was given against Spurs considering how completely dysfunctional Man U looked against them in the first and majority of the second half.
Do you really think Mainoo will want to stay? I get he’s at his boyhood Club but think it’s pretty clear Amorim won’t be using him that often or it seems likely to be a bench option. Surely it’s probably in Mainoo’s best interests to move and think your right, Leverkusen could be a good fit. I know McAtee has been heavily linked with Leverkusen so could be fun seeing them both play there.
I thought all of Wilder's subs were terrible yesterday. I never like it when managers take off their best player (Hamer in this instance) to try and defend a 1-0 lead. Unless Hamer was injured? But even then, I really don't understand why he took Brewster off. He was having a really good game and his defensive work is unbelievable. Felt like a very unnecessary substitution.
Leverkusen will have the Writz money so they should at least be able to afford what Man United will want for Mainoo, But doesn’t feel that likely a move. (But much better idea than what I fear might happen with him going to Saudi.)
🚨 Aston Villa plan to make official complaint to PL after loss at Man Utd denies club CL qualification. #AVFC feel a more experienced referee should have been selected to officiate game of such magnitude. PL have been approached for comment @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/qfTMOZx7Jt— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 25, 2025