Pundit backs Liverpool hero to be ‘dropped’

Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino will be ‘dropped’ for the Reds’ Premier League clash against Wolves this afternoon, according to former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

The Lowdown: Liverpool face huge day

Jurgen Klopp’s side go into the final day of the league season knowing they must beat Bruno Lage’s visitors in order to realistically have any chance of winning the title.

Liverpool will also be relying on Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa doing them a huge favour, as they make the trip to the Etihad Stadium to face league leaders Manchester City.

Firmino started in Tuesday’s 2-1 win away to Southampton as Klopp rang the changes, but the 30-year-old could struggle to keep his place against Wolves.

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The Latest: Firmino backed to be dropped

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson claimed that the Brazilian would make way for others in the starting lineup for Liverpool today. The ex-Leeds goalkeeper stated:

“Firmino played against Southampton to give the others a rest. I think Salah, Mane and Diaz will come back in against Wolves.

“There is a squad for a reason. Yes, Firmino came in and did well and helped them get a massive three points but that is what was expected of him. That is what the manager wants and that is why he is part of the squad.

“It is a massive game at the weekend so I think Klopp will go full strength and Firmino is not part of Liverpool’s best XI anymore.

“We are in an era of football where you can put in a 10/10 performance on the weekend and be dropped a few days later. That is the way it is. Firmino will be part of the rotation.”

The Verdict: Firmino likely to be benched

Firmino has been a wonderful servant for Liverpool, scoring 98 goals in 325 appearances, leading the line in superb fashion for many years and being hailed as ‘world-class’ by Klopp.

The 30-year-old is no longer a guaranteed starter, though, and it would be a surprise if he didn’t make way for Sadio Mane this afternoon, with the Senegal star thriving in a new central role.

Firmino could still be a key figure from the substitutes’ bench, affecting the game in a positive manner in the second half if needed, but it feels as though he has made his last start of the season, especially with him not long back from a foot injury.

In other news, Liverpool are demanding £17million for one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Celtic must axe Boli Bolingoli this summer

Celtic were crowned Premiership champions this month to cap off what has been a successful domestic campaign for the Hoops and Ange Postecoglou.

With 29 wins, six draws and just three defeats in the top flight, the Bhoys ended up scoring 92 goals along the way and only conceded 22 times.

However, one man who didn’t contribute much to their title-winning season is left-back Boli Bolingoli.

Celtic signed the defender from Rapid Vienna in the summer of 2019 in a deal worth a reported £3m.

The Belgian featured in a mere eight matchday squads for the Hoops across all competitions this season and only played in two games.

In 2020, the defender effectively threw his Celtic career under the bus when he broke the government’s guidelines during the pandemic by not quarantining after a trip to Spain, which led to him being charged by the SFA.

Having been called “arrogant” by newspaper columnist Bill Leckie for his actions, the 26-year-old has reportedly been training on his own in Belgium for the past number of weeks, which doesn’t say much for his chances of redemption at Parkhead.

According to a recent report from Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, Celtic will be looking to move the full-back out of the club on a permanent basis this summer, which to us feels like the right decision for all parties.

To further highlight Bolingoli’s downfall, his market value was listed at £2.7m by Transfermarkt in February 2020, whereas it now stands at £1.35m, highlighting a drop of 50%.

Taking all this into account, it’s safe to say that Celtic’s deal for the Belgian has turned into a disappointing one up to now.

If Postecoglou can finally get the player out the door for good and his £15k-per-week wages off the club’s books, this would pave the way for them to bring in a suitable and hopefully reliable replacement.

With that in mind, reports have already emerged linking the Hoops with a summer swoop for Hammarby left-back Mohanad Jeahze.

Should the club secure his signature, it could well be the final nail in the coffin for Bolingoli’s chances of having any sort of a future in a Celtic shirt.

In other news – “Around that number..”: Big Lennoxtown transfer claim emerges, it’s great for Celtic

Liverpool dealt with injury doubt

Liverpool kept their Premier League title dreams alive against Aston Villa last night, however, the victory was bittersweet after an in-game injury worry occurred in the first half of the clash.

What’s the latest?

Fabinho hobbled off the pitch in the first half an hour of the game at Villa Park on Tuesday night and now Jurgen Klopp has given an update on the midfielder’s condition following the full-time whistle.

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Jurgen Klopp updated in his post-match interview on Sky Sports casting doubt on his player’s condition (via Metro):

‘That’s a massive problem. That’s a big blow for us. I don’t know (how bad), hopefully not that bad, but I don’t know.’

Klopp will be frustrated

There is no doubt that the Liverpool manager will be massively frustrated to potentially lose such a key player in his team ahead of the FA Cup final and Champions League final coming up over the next few weeks.

The Brazilian midfielder has been one of the most influential players in the centre of the pitch and has been integral in Liverpool’s chase for multiple trophies this season so to lose him when the side has one hand on two huge trophies is a massive blow.

Fabinho has been involved in Liverpool’s incredible 17-game unbeaten run, scoring four goals during this time as well as providing consistent solid defensive performances in his role in the centre of the pitch.

According to SofaScore, the Liverpool star has been successful in an impressive 73% of his dribbles, wins 63% of his aerial duels and makes 1.6 tackles and 1.4 interceptions on average per game in the Premier League this season.

Anfield and Brazil teammate Alisson Becker even called Fabinho “the most important” player for Liverpool and his national team in an interview:

“I believe that Fabinho is the most important player for both the club and the national team, this is my opinion about that, he’s a very important player wherever he is, he always proves his worth on the pitch.”

With that being said, there will surely be a further update on the star player’s condition ahead of the Chelsea clash on Saturday afternoon at Wembley and supporters will be anxiously hoping for positive news on Fabinho’s availability.

AND in other news: Klopp must now finally axe Liverpool gem who lost the ball every 3 touches yesterday

Sunderland handed early injury boost

Sunderland have a couple of massive games ahead of them as the Black Cats are preparing to take on Sheffield Wednesday in two play-off semi-final clashes.

The first showdown is set to take place at the Stadium of Light on Friday evening before Alex Neil takes his side to Yorkshire for the second leg on Monday.

Sunderland’s previous game saw them pick up a 1-0 win over Morecambe on Saturday thanks to a goal from Nathan Broadhead in the tenth minute.

The Wearside club have now not lost a game in the league since their 2-1 defeat against MK Dons back in February during the early days of Neil’s reign in charge of the side.

Looking ahead to the first-leg clash between the two sides aiming to reach the Championship, it seems as though the home side may have been handed an early injury boost that could increase their chances of securing a positive result.

What’s the news?

According to Chronicle Live, Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan picked up a muscle injury during the late stages of their recent 4-1 win over Portsmouth.

This could be crucial for the Black Cats with the Owls midfielder proving one of their most influential players so far this term.

Great news for Neil

With 45 league appearances under his belt in this campaign, the 32-year-old has scored nine goals and provided 12 assists along the way, suggesting that the Yorkshire side will be without a vital attacking presence if his muscle problem keeps him out any longer.

To further highlight his creativity and how much of an attacking danger he is, only Sean McConville has completed more crosses (391) than the Owls captain (287).

Having racked up more minutes for Wednesday than any other player, the midfielder is currently listed as the highest-rated member of Darren Moore’s squad according to WhoScored.

As well as this, his rating of 7.21/10 makes the Scotsman the 13th-highest rated player in the entire league.

Taking all of this into account, potentially being without the veteran in their side for Friday’s showdown will surely be a big blow.

From Sunderland’s point of view, however, the prospect of not having to deal with Bannan’s attacking talents would be great for Neil and his chances of seeing the Black Cats pick up a positive result.

Moving forward, whether the Owls star is fit enough to play or not, the 40-year-old will undoubtedly be wanting his side to go out and secure a win no matter what.

In other news: “Been offered a deal”: Journalist drops summer claim that’ll delight SAFC supporters

Klopp staying could be ‘huge’ for LFC duo

Jurgen Klopp signing a new deal is ‘huge’ news regarding the Liverpool futures of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, according to Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Klopp signs new deal at Liverpool

The Reds are flying on the pitch at the moment, going for an unprecedented quadruple, but some massive off-field news emerged earlier in the week.

Klopp has extended his stay at Anfield by a further two years, meaning he will remain as Liverpool manager until the end of the 2025/26 season.

It is an enormous boost for anyone of a Reds persuasion, given the German’s influence and success on Merseyside, and the hope now is that star players also commit their futures to the club.

Liverpool are reportedly nearing a breakthrough in talks with Salah, while FSG also intend to offer a new contract to Mane.

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The Latest: Whelan makes exciting claim

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan claimed that Klopp’s new deal could spark a domino effect, leading to Salah and Mane also extending their Liverpool careers. The former Premier League striker said:

“This is huge. He’s key to players staying at the club as well. You see the reputation that he has with the players, that relationship, that one-on-one, that bonding.

“I think it’s great for the players to know that he’s there for another two years. That’s vitally important. There’s a lot of hard work that needs to be done in contract talks with Mane and Salah. But it’s important Klopp’s doing the contract talks.

“It also makes it very easy for the manager to know what he wants as well. It works both ways. I think the fans would choose manager over players because of what he’s done and how important and how key to their success he has been.

“He’s building something and he’s got plans in mind. Whether some of these players will be there with the plans in mind remains to be seen.”

The Verdict: Surely they stay at Liverpool

Given Liverpool’s current status as one of the world’s best teams, and with an iconic manager in Klopp staying put for another few years, it would be a big surprise if Salah and Mane – who have been hailed as “unbelievable” in the past by former team-mate Emre Can – didn’t sign new contracts.

In the past, one of Europe’s powerhouses such as Barcelona and Real Madrid may have had a greater appeal than the Reds, but things are very different now.

Someone like Gini Wijnaldum is perfect proof that leaving Liverpool could be viewed as a downward step these days, and that should act as a warning to both Salah and Mane if they see their futures elsewhere.

In other news, a journalist has made a key Liverpool transfer claim. Read more here.

Ex-club chief shares why West Ham must avoid Adama Traore deal after working with him

West Ham are looking at signing Fulham winger Adama Traoré in the January transfer window, but they’ve now been told to avoid a deal by someone who’s worked with the player.

Nuno Espírito Santo knows Traore very well from their time together at Molineux, and it was at Wolves where the 29-year-old made a serious name for himself.

Traore was near-unplayable in the 2019/2020 season especially, finishing the Premier League campaign as their best performer statistically, all whilst completing a truly incredible five successful dribbles on average per game (WhoScored).

By comparison, the best dribblers in the Premier League right now are far short of that number, with both ex-West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus and Man City’s Jeremy Doku averaging 3.4 and 3.1 take ons per 90 respectively.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

West Ham 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham 3-2 Burnley

Jurgen Klopp famously branded Traore’s speed as being ‘undefendable’ at times, but that being said, the 19/20 campaign was now over half a decade ago.

Since Nuno’s departure from Wolves, Traore hasn’t managed to re-live those heights on a consistent enough basis, even despite flashes of brilliance at Fulham last term. Traore finished 24/25 with two goals and nine assists in all competitions, making 41 appearances in total, but only managed a modest 1.3 successful take-ons per 90 in the Premier League.

Despite the forward’s best days appearing behind him, the obvious link to Nuno has prompted multiple reports that West Ham are keen on a winter move for Traore, who could also be available for a cut-price fee given his contract expires in 2026.

Following these claims, ex-Everton and Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness has explained exactly why West Ham need to swerve a deal for Traore this January.

West Ham told exactly why they need to swerve Adama Traore deal in January

Speaking to Football Insider, after having sold the player at Villa, Wyness explains that Traore’s lack of end product really doesn’t serve West Ham in the slightest — urging David Sullivan not to do a deal for the ex-Barcelona man out of respect for the fans.

The winger would attract mixed reviews if he did move to the London Stadium in two months, but if anyone can get the best out of him, it is definitely Nuno.

West Ham’s manager is believed to be personally keen on a reunion with Traore, and given how Nuno has finally managed to steady the ship with back-to-back victories, it is imperative that the club show faith by backing him with desired signings mid-season.

As well as Traore, West Ham want a new defender, midfielder and striker, with AC Milan’s Santiago Gimenez and Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney rumoured to be on their agenda.

Liverpool identify Mohamed Salah successor who is loved by Man City star

Liverpool are always on the lookout for offensive talent and may have found a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah at Anfield who they could now target.

Liverpool face anxious wait on Ibrahima Konate future

Undoubtedly, the only minor concern at Anfield right now comes in the form of Ibrahima Konate’s uncertain Liverpool contract situation, which has drawn interest from Real Madrid, who are thought to be in advanced talks over a potential move to the Bernabeu.

With his deal set to expire next summer, the La Liga giants could enact a repeat of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s acrimonious exit, which looked set to occur on a free transfer before Los Blancos shelled out £8.4 million to land the England international, ensuring he was on board in time for the Club World Cup.

Ibrahima Konate warming up for Liverpool

Addressing Konate’s situation, Redmen TV’s Ste Plunkett has admitted that he could envisage Konate leaving to join Real Madrid, admitting the pull of playing for the world heavyweights may prove difficult for the Liverpool man to turn down.

He told BBC Sport: “If we get a notification from Konate that his intention is to go to Real Madrid in the summer, then we are forced to do whatever it is we need to do to fill that gap, and then we have to find one more.

“I fully expect him to leave. He’s won trophies with the club; there is a big coming together of French talent at Real Madrid, you’ve got five or six of them, and that will continue. All the best French players will end up gravitating over there, and he wants to go and be a part of that.”

Not Frimpong: Liverpool man who's "not at the races" is this season's Trent

Liverpool could have the next Trent Alexander-Arnold on their hands…

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Nevertheless, Liverpool’s pursuit of a new central defender after their late attempts to sign Marc Guehi isn’t the only matter on the agenda for Arne Slot, who is now said to be lining up a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool eye Malick Fofana as Mohamed Salah successor

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool see Lyon star Malick Fofana as a long-term successor to Salah and remains on their radar despite opting to stay in France during the summer window.

Rivals Everton were actually in talks to sign Fofana over the summer, but the £43m-rated star stayed put at Lyon.

The Reds had shown interest in taking him to Anfield and his versatility is said to be a key reason why, alongside his speed and high level of end product in the final third.

Lauded by Man City star Rayan Cherki for his explosiveness, Fofana registered 11 goals and six assists in 41 appearances across all competitions last term, and he has continued that form in 2025/26, notching two goal contributions in three games.

With Salah at a point where consultation will begin in the next couple of years over his eventual replacement, Fofana appears to be of a similar mould and supporters will be keeping a keen eye on his situation as Liverpool continue to probe for his signature.

Not Ange: Levy's worst error was axing "genius" who's "too good" for Spurs

The Daniel Levy era at Tottenham Hotspur has come to an end.

On Thursday, it was confirmed that the 63-year-old would step down as Executive Chairman after 25 years in charge, with the ownership believing change was needed to bring greater sporting success.

Appointed in March 2001, Levy was the longest-serving chairman in Premier League history and a divisive figure throughout his tenure.

Regularly the subject of supporter protests, his reputation was split between financial prudence and a failure to translate infrastructure into silverware.

Levy’s final months brought a rare high and an equally stark low. Spurs won the Europa League in May, ending a 17-year wait for a trophy.

Yet the triumph was underpinned by a disastrous league campaign that saw them finish 17th in the Premier League.

He will nevertheless be remembered for delivering the £1bn Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a multi-purpose venue that transformed the club’s commercial revenues.

Hosting NFL games, concerts and boxing events, the stadium has become a global landmark.

On the pitch, however, Levy’s managerial decisions often defined Spurs’ fortunes more than infrastructure ever could.

This summer’s spending spree, with marquee signings like Mohamed Kudus and Xavi Simons, hinted at ambition, though Spurs missed out on Eberechi Eze to rivals Arsenal.

Vinai Venkatesham, appointed Chief Executive in April, now must take the reins and implement a new vision while the search for Levy’s replacement is ongoing.

Ange and the many Managers of Levy’s Spurs

Few chairmen have hired and fired as many notable managers as Levy.

Ange Postecoglou, adored at times by supporters for his bold attacking football, was the latest casualty.

TottenhamHotspur managerAngePostecoglu applauds fans after the match

Sacked just weeks after lifting the Europa League, his dismissal came amid dire league form – 22 top-flight losses in 2024/25 – underlining Levy’s reputation for ruthless decision-making.

Thomas Frank has since arrived from Brentford to steady the ship. Postecoglou’s departure was far from Levy’s only high-profile axing.

José Mourinho was dismissed just a week before Spurs faced Manchester City in the 2021 Carabao Cup final, a move that baffled many supporters.

Ryan Mason stepped in as caretaker manager, but Spurs ultimately lost the final.

Antonio Conte’s short but combustible tenure saw him openly question his players’ mentality, though he did guide them to Champions League qualification in 2021/22.

Levy also experimented with Nuno Espírito Santo, a project that fizzled out within months, and was also known to turn to well-known figures like Harry Redknapp and Tim Sherwood in the past.

Yet one name defined Levy’s Spurs more than any other, both in success and in the bitterness of his departure.

Sacking Pochettino was Levy's biggest mistale

Mauricio Pochettino’s time in North London was transformative.

Appointed in May 2014 as Spurs’ tenth manager in just 12 years, he brought stability, style and belief.

Over five years, he nurtured talents like Harry Kane and Dele Alli, built a fearless team around high pressing and rapid transitions, and took Spurs closer to glory than they had been in decades.

The pinnacle came in 2019 when Spurs reached the Champions League final.

Their run included an unforgettable semi-final comeback against Ajax, capped by Lucas Moura’s last-minute hat-trick strike.

Though they fell 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid, it was a defining achievement.

In the league, Pochettino’s side finished second in 2016/17 with 86 points – their best finish since 1963 – only seven points behind champions Chelsea.

And yet, just months after that Champions League final, Levy made his most infamous call. With Spurs struggling at the start of the 2019/20 season, Pochettino was sacked.

Matches

499

Wins

240

Draws

113

Losses

146

Points

833

It was a decision even more brutal than the one that ended Postecoglou’s reign. As journalist Alex Keble described him, Pochettino was a “genius” and a “very rare example of a manager genuinely being too good for a club.”

The Argentine later admitted he was shocked by Levy’s departure this week, reflecting fondly on their “very good” relationship.

After leaving Spurs, he managed PSG and then Chelsea, before taking charge of the US men’s national team.

His tactical philosophy remains consistent: a 4-2-3-1 built on pressing, playing out from the back, and suffocating opponents with relentless energy.

Pochettino gave Spurs an identity that carried them to the edge of greatness. Levy’s decision to sack him months after their greatest modern achievement left scars that arguably linger to this day.

MauricioPochettinocoach of U.S. during the match

It is unclear where Spurs go from here, but they undoubtedly have the commercial base to become something new altogether.

The ENIC plan that "weakened" Levy before he was "pushed" out of Tottenham

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Dessers upgrade: 49ers want to make "living legend" 1st Rangers signing

Glasgow Rangers have had their takeover officially confirmed, with Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises taking a 51% stake, and the investment group have put £20m in to begin with.

New sporting director Kevin Thelwell has also officially started his job at Ibrox, having joined from Everton, and he will assist with finding the club’s next head coach to replace Barry Ferguson after his interim spell came to an end.

Despite there still not being any official word on who the next manager is going to be, work will be going on in the background to identify targets to bolster the squad.

The summer transfer window opened for business on Sunday and the Light Blues will be looking at players who have the potential to improve the team ahead of next season.

49ers eyeing first Rangers signing

Cyriel Dessers ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of six goals in his last five matches in the Scottish Premiership, yet his goal burst did not stop him from underperforming against his xG.

The Nigeria international scored 18 goals from 19.73 xG in the Premiership and three goals from 5.3 xG in the Europa League, which shows that he consistently underperformed over the course of the season.

This may be why, according to the print edition of the Daily Mail (2 June, page 69), as relayed by IbroxNews, the 49ers are interested in a deal to sign Jamie Vardy this summer.

The report claims that the Gers are one of a number of clubs to have expressed an interest in signing the former England international on a free transfer, after he confirmed his exit from Leicester City.

Transfer Focus

It remains to be seen, however, whether or not the Foxes legend would be willing to make the move up north to Ibrox to have a crack at Scottish football.

If the 49ers can make Vardy the first signing of the new era in Glasgow, though, then the next Rangers manager could have an upgrade on Dessers on their hands.

Why Jamie Vardy would be an upgrade on Cyriel Dessers

The Leicester icon, who was described as a “living legend” by manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy, may appear to be at the wrong end of his career, at the age of 38, but the striker still plundered nine Premier League goals this season.

Vardy ended his Leicester career with 200 goals in 500 matches, including 145 in 342 games in the Premier League, which shows that he has been prolific throughout his time in England.

The experienced marksman scored 145 goals from 142.02 xG in the top-flight, illustrating how clinical he is in front of goal, whilst finishing chances efficiently has clearly been a problem for Dessers with his xG underperformance.

Appearances

35

xG

17.07

Goals

18

Minutes per goal

99

Big chances missed

16

Assists

2

As you can see in the table above, Vardy played for a Leicester team chasing the title in the 2023/24 Championship season and led them to the trophy with 18 goals from 17.07 xG.

This suggests that, despite his age, the prolific attacker is still at the top of his game as a finisher and has the potential to be a lethal forward option for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership next season.

Vardy also offers a physical presence in the centre-forward position, having won 48% of his ground duels and 48% of his aerial duels in the Premier League this season. Whereas, Dessers only won 34% of his ground battles and 31% of his aerial contests in the Premiership.

This shows that the English star would provide the team with a better outlet in the number nine position, as he is better than the Nigerian lightweight when it comes to duelling with opposition centre-backs.

Rangers eye manager who Arne Slot said creates top build-up and pressure

Is he the perfect man for the job?

ByHenry Jackson Jun 2, 2025

Therefore,

Martinez upgrade: Aston Villa in contact for one of the 'most talented GKs'

Aston Villa will be busy this summer in the transfer market, even if they miss out on Champions League qualification.

As it stands, the club need to win their final game of the campaign and hope for Chelsea, Newcastle United or Man City to suffer a slip-up.

If so, the riches of Europe’s top-tier competition will fill the coffers once again, allowing Unai Emery to sign high-profile players this summer.

Signing a new goalkeeper might be a priority heading into the transfer window, especially with Emiliano Martínez’s future in doubt.

Aston Villa’s search for a new goalkeeper

According to Football Insider, the enigmatic Argentinian is expected to depart Villa Park this summer for a new challenge.

He has been with the club since 2020, turning 33 at the start of the 2025/26 campaign, suggesting Emery is right to cash in now.

As such, this means the club will need a new goalkeeper to take them forward, and according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, it appears as though Lucas Chevalier is the preferred candidate.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The Midlands side have approached the youngster regarding a potential move to the Premier League, although no transfer fee has been reported as yet.

The 23-year-old has a contract with Lille until 2027, which means now is the ideal time for the French club to sell. Will Villa make their move soon? Especially if Martinez is seeking a quick exit.

Why Aston Villa must sign Lucas Chevalier

Martinez may have made over 200 appearances for Villa, but a few mistakes have crept into his game this season. Indeed, he’s made five errors leading to a shot in the Premier League, as per Sofascore.

His mistake against PSG saw Villa exit the Champions League, while he parried a shot directed straight at him by Bernardo Silva into the Villa net during the recent defeat to Man City.

Metric

Ligue 1

Champions League

Goals conceded

36

13

Clean sheets

11

1

Saves per game

2.8

3.2

Goals conceded per game

1.1

1.3

Touches

36.4

39.7

Signing Chevalier could be an upgrade on the former Arsenal keeper, especially when comparing their domestic statistics this season.

Indeed, the Frenchman has conceded fewer goals than Martinez this term (36 vs 45), while also conceding fewer goals per 90 (1.06 vs 1.29), having a higher save percentage (74.6% vs 67.9%) and keeping more clean sheets (11 vs eight) across their respective domestic seasons.

Add in the fact that the current Lille number one is nine years younger than the Argentinian, making a move for him in the coming weeks could be shrewd business by the club.

Following an excellent 2023/24 campaign for the Ligue 1 side where he made 2.8 saves per game and conceded just 32 goals in 33 games, talent scout Jacek Kulig lavished praise on him, saying Chevalier was “one of the most talented young goalkeepers in Europe.”

If Emery manages to lead Villa into the group stages of the Champions League, it will do his chances of landing Chevalier the world of good.

Lucas Chevalier for LOSC Lille.

He kept a clean sheet against Real Madrid in the competition earlier this season, proving he has what it takes to star at the highest level. Much will depend on the Frenchman’s price tag, but signing Chevalier must be a priority this summer.

Atletico Madrid want to sign Aston Villa "destroyer" alongside Emi Martinez

Atletico Madrid could seal quite the double swoop.

ByTom Cunningham May 22, 2025

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