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Nottinghamshire head coach favourite to step up, with Adam Voges in talks to join as assistant

Matt Roller10-Nov-2025Peter Moores is in line to become men’s head coach at Trent Rockets in the Hundred, with Adam Voges in talks to join the franchise as his assistant.Andy Flower had coached Rockets’ men since the Hundred’s first season but left his role to take up a lucrative job offer from London Spirit. Andrew Flintoff and Stephen Fleming were both candidates to take over from him, but ESPNcricinfo has learned that Moores is now the favourite to take charge in 2026, adding to his role as Nottinghamshire’s head coach.Rockets are operating under new ownership, after private equity firms Cain and Ares bought a 49% stake earlier this year. They will run the franchise jointly with host county Notts, who will retain operational control as majority shareholders, and confirmed Chris Read’s appointment as women’s head coach on Thursday.Moores spent this season – in which Rockets were losing finalists – working as one of Flower’s assistants, and recently signed a three-year contract extension with Notts. He has previous experience in franchise cricket with Melbourne Stars and Karachi Kings, and oversaw Notts’ County Championship triumph last season.Related

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Voges has not previously worked in the Hundred but has established himself as a highly-rated coach after success with Western Australia and Perth Scorchers. He has a long-standing connection with Nottinghamshire, spending five years as one of their overseas players from 2008-12, and has also worked as an assistant coach for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.Three men’s coaches for the Hundred’s 2026 season have been publicly confirmed: Flower (Spirit), Mike Hussey (Welsh Fire) and Shane Bond (Birmingham Phoenix), with Daniel Vettori set to join the newly-renamed Sunrisers Leeds.Justin Langer is a potential contender to take charge at Manchester Originals (soon to become Super Giants) after he left Spirit, with Tom Moody becoming the franchise’s global director of cricket. Simon Katich has coached Originals’ men since inception.Southern Brave are yet to confirm a successor to Adi Birrell, with Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani believed to be a contender for the role, while defending champions Oval Invincibles (who will become MI London shortly) are also on the hunt for a new men’s coach after Moody’s departure.Surrey’s deal with Reliance Industries Limited to become co-owners of the Invincibles franchise is the only outstanding paperwork in the Hundred’s privatisation process. It has still not been officially completed, but an announcement is anticipated shortly.

The role of a central defender has changed over time, with those at the very top now not just world-class in the air and in a tackle, but also brilliant in possession with the ball at their feet.

The new generation of centre-backs are crucial to their team’s build-up play and, in some cases, pass more than most midfielders, but who is the best in the world at the back at this moment in time?

Ranking factors

To help rank the centre-backs in order, we have considered the following criteria:

Current form – how well a player has been performing Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their team Role – how unique their skillset is Reputation – what others are saying about them

Top 15 centre-backs in the world

Rank

Player

Age

Club

Nation

1

Virgil van Dijk

34

Liverpool

Netherlands

2

Gabriel Magalhaes

27

Arsenal

Brazil

3

Alessandro Bastoni

26

Inter Milan

Italy

4

William Saliba

24

Arsenal

France

5

Pau Cubarsi

18

Barcelona

Spain

6

Marc Guehi

25

Crystal Palace

England

7

Ruben Dias

28

Man City

Portugal

8

Marquinhos

31

PSG

Brazil

9

Dean Huijsen

20

Real Madrid

Spain

10

Alessandro Buongiorno

26

Napoli

Italy

11

Josko Gvardiol

23

Man City

Croatia

12

Dayot Upamecano

27

Bayern Munich

France

13

Eder Militao

27

Real Madrid

Brazil

14

Antonio Rudiger

32

Real Madrid

Germany

15

Willian Pacho

24

PSG

Ecuador

15 Willian Pacho PSG and Ecuador

Willian Pacho has gone from strength to strength after joining PSG from Frankfurt in 2024 and now appears to be a regular at the Parc des Princes.

The Ecuador international is still only 23 years of age and has been described as the ‘wall nobody saw coming’ next to Marquinhos.

The €40m fee PSG paid for Pacho is now looking like a smart piece of business, with the player’s market value already increasing to €65m.

Willian Pacho: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Champions League

2025

Ligue 1

2025

UEFA Super Cup

2025

French Cup

2025

French Super Cup

2025

Belgian Pro League

2023

Belgian Cup

2023

Belgian Super Cup

2023

Copa Sudamericana

2019

Ecuadorian Serie A

2021

14 Antonio Rudiger Real Madrid and Germany

Antonio Rudiger has gone from strength to strength after joining Real Madrid from Chelsea back in 2022, so much so that he was linked with a return to Stamford Bridge.

Over the last 18 months, Rudiger has been praised by Carlo Ancelotti and Mesut Ozil, who have said the German “is playing at his best” and in his “prime”.

However, he has missed the majority of the 2025/26 season so far with a hamstring injury which has dropped him down the rankings.

Antonio Rudiger: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

La Liga

2024

Champions League

2021, 2024

Europa League

2019

FA Cup

2018

Copa del Rey

2023

FIFA Club World Cup

2022, 2023

UEFA Super Cup

2021, 2022, 2024

FIFA Intercontinental Cup

2024

Spanish Super Cup

2024

Confederations Cup

2017

13 Eder Militao Real Madrid and Brazil

Dropping down the list due to serious injuries in recent years is Real Madrid’s Eder Militao. The Brazilian was dubbed the “best in the world” at the back by Carlo Ancelotti in 2023 and has won multiple honours at the Bernabeu since 2019.

At the age of 27, Militao should still have plenty of high-level years ahead of him and will be looking to remain fit over the coming seasons.

Eder Militao: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Champions League

2022, 2024

La Liga

2020, 2022, 2024

Copa America

2019

Copa del Rey

2023

FIFA Club World Cup

2023

UEFA Super Cup

2022, 2024

FIFA Intercontinental Cup

2024

Spanish Super Cup

2020, 2022, 2024

12 Dayot Upamecano Bayern Munich and France

Transformed into Bayern Munich’s Mr. Reliable under Vincent Kompany has been Dayot Upamecano, who has partnered Kim Min-jae at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund has said in 2025 that the Frenchman “has become a leader” who “plays strongly and consistently at a high level.” At the age of 26, Upamecano appears to be entering his prime.

Dayot Upamecano: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Nations League

2021

Bundesliga

2022, 2023, 2025

Austrian Bundesliga

2016, 2017

Austrian Cup

2016, 2017

German Super Cup

2021, 2022

11 Josko Gvardiol Man City and Croatia

Josko Gvardiol stars as a centre-back and sometimes as a left-back for Man City and Croatia.

Used as a centre-back in the Nations League for his country, Gvardiol turned out centrally under Pep Guardiola in the latter stages of the 2024/25 season, with City winning five out of six Premier League games with the 23-year-old at the heart of the defence.

Josko Gvardiol: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Premier League

2024

HNL

2020, 2021

FIFA Club World Cup

2024

UEFA Super Cup

2023

DFB-Pokal

2021, 2022

Community Shield

2024

Croatian Cup

2021

Croatian Super Cup

2019

10 Alessandro Buongiorno Napoli and Italy

At the top of his game with a career-high €45m Transfermarkt valuation is Napoli and Italy’s Alessandro Buongiorno.

The 25-year-old is “extraordinary in one-on-one situations” and has been key for Napoli under Antonio Conte, winning the Serie A title in 24/25. Should his rapid rise continue, Buongiorno could climb up this list in years to come.

9 Dean Huijsen Real Madrid and Spain

One of the most in-demand defenders of the 2025 summer transfer window was Dean Huijsen, with Real Madrid winning the race to sign the Spaniard from AFC Bournemouth.

Wanted all across Europe, Huijsen starred in the Premier League after leaving Juventus and Tiago Pinto even said he “will be the best central defender in the world in two years”.

Dean Huijsen: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Coppa Italia

2024

8 Marquinhos PSG and Brazil

Paris Saint-Germain icon Marquinhos has been leading a new generation of stars at the Parc des Princes under Luis Enrique and has still remained at an extremely high level himself.

Now 31, Marquinhos continues to be a regular in a young PSG side and even became the first player in the club’s history to start 100 matches for PSG in the Champions League.

Marquinhos: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Ligue 1

2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Copa America

2019

Champions League

2025

Coupe de France

2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2024

Coupe de la Ligue

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020

French Super Cup

2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025

Copa Libertadores

2012

7 Ruben Dias Man City and Portugal

Ruben Dias is coming up to five years as a Man City player and continues to be a regular under Pep Guardiola, with Transfermarkt having the Portugal starvalued at €65m.

Rated as good as Virgil van Dijk by Jamie Carragher 12 months ago, Dias’ displays have dipped slightly at the Etihad in 2024/25, however, there is no denying his quality.

Ruben Dias: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Premier League

2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Nations League

2019

Champions League

2023

FA Cup

2023

League Cup

2021

UEFA Super Cup

2023

Community Shield

2024

FIFA Club World Cup

2024

Liga Portugal

2019

Portuguese Super Cup

2020

6 Marc Guehi Crystal Palace and England

Marc Guehi is becoming one of the most in-demand centre-backs in world football after his move to Liverpool from Crystal Palace collapsed in the summer of 2025.

Now a regular for England and starring at Selhurst Park, Guehi is on course to become a free agent in 2026 and is being linked with the biggest clubs in Europe.

It shows just how good Guehi has been under Oliver Glasner, lifting the FA Cup and Community Shield with Palace in 2025.

Marc Guehi: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

FA Cup

2025

Community Shield

2025

Captain sets the tone as batting bonus points put Division One leaders out of Surrey’s reach

ECB Reporters Network25-Sep-2025Warwickshire 258 and 7 for 3 trail Nottinghamshire 374 (Hameed 122, Verreynne 83, Patterson-White 70) by 109 runsLed impressively from the front by captain Haseeb Hameed’s fourth century of the season, Nottinghamshire clinched the 2025 Rothesay County Championship on day two of the final round of fixtures, the Division One leaders putting themselves out of reach of defending champions Surrey as they totalled 374 in reply to Warwickshire’s 258.Needing just two more points at the start of play to deny Surrey a fourth consecutive title, Nottinghamshire achieved that goal at six minutes before five o’clock as Kyle Verreynne, their South Africa international wicketkeeper, pulled seamer Nathan Gilchrist high over the deep midwicket boundary for six, taking their first-innings total past 300 to secure a second batting bonus point.Verreynne, who also hit the winning runs as South Africa beat Australia at Lord’s to be crowned World Test champions in June, raised both arms in the air before embracing batting partner Liam Patterson-White as a Trent Bridge crowd that had grown considerably since lunch rose to their feet.He went on to make 83, with Patterson-White hitting 70 as the two shared a decisive seventh-wicket partnership of 119. Ethan Bamber, Ed Barnard and Gilchrist took three wickets each but at 7 for 3 in their second innings, trailing by 109 runs, Warwickshire, who had their sights on overtaking Somerset to take third place in the table, are in deep trouble.It is Nottinghamshire’s seventh County Championship in all and their first since 2010, one that was effectively won a week ago when victory over Surrey at the Kia Oval made them short-priced favourites to take the crown.Head coach Peter Moores, for many years the only coach to win the title with two counties until Mark Robinson, twice a winner with Sussex, equalled the feat in 2021 with Warwickshire, now stands alone in winning Championships with three counties, having previously done so with Sussex and Lancashire.Yet for all that it was Verreynne, who hit four sixes, and Patterson-White, who struck 11 fours, who grabbed the glory, it was Hameed who made it possible.Haseeb Hameed raises his bat on reaching three figures•Getty ImagesThe 28-year-old sometime England opener’s 122 laid the foundations and took his season aggregate to 1,253 runs in first-class matches, the highest of his career. This is the third time in four seasons he has exceeded 1000 runs.Earlier in the day, he and Ben Slater had put on 56 for the first wicket as Nottinghamshire, who had claimed the final Warwickshire wicket with the last ball of the opening day, came through a difficult morning session at 100 for 2.Slater, caught behind as Michael Booth found some extra bounce from the Radcliffe Road End, and Freddie McCann, who lost his middle stump to Bamber, were the two morning casualties.It would have been 78 for 3 had Hameed not been put down by Rob Yates at second slip on 45. As it was, as conditions for batting became a little easier after lunch, Hameed and Joe Clarke (52) added 122 in 32 overs for the third wicket.Two dismissals in three balls then jolted their progress. Clarke, reaching for a delivery outside off stump, feathered a catch to Alex Davies off Bamber, before Jack Haynes, confident he had let his second ball go past the bat, looked up to find Warwickshire’s appeals for a thin edge to the keeper had been granted.Haynes was the third of six victims in the innings for Davies, a total in a single innings bettered by only two other keepers in Warwickshire’s history.If that was not a reminder to Nottinghamshire supporters to take nothing for granted, then the sight of Hameed completing his fourth hundred of the season flat on his stomach surely must have been.Confident there was a single on as he clipped Bamber towards midwicket, the captain was startled to see Tazeem Ali swooping to field and even his full-length dive might not have saved him had the teenager’s shy hit. As it was, Warwickshire ran out neither Hameed nor new partner Verreynne, who would have been out by a distance without scoring had the throw gone to the keeper’s end.Hameed – dropped at slip in the previous over – was bowled middle stump by Nathan Gilchrist on the stroke of tea, leaving them 218 for 5. The ovation from the spectators was fully deserved. The season has seen him make a double-hundred twice and carry his bat through the innings twice.Warwickshire’s seamers were rewarded again half an hour into the final session as Lyndon James edged Barnard to give Davies a fourth catch. Nottinghamshire, now six down, still needed another 52 for 300 and with the second new ball soon to become available.It might have been a moment of jeopardy, yet any sense of that quickly disappeared. Verreynne and Patterson-White had clearly decided on a glorious finale and it was Gilchrist who felt the full force of it.His first over with the new ball went for 17 after Patterson-White had begun it with three glorious shots for four, his second for 15 as Verreynne took centre stage.It was the cue for the seventh-wicket due to really let rip, stretching their partnership to 100 in precisely 100 balls and 119 from 120 before Verreynne, who hit nine fours and four sixes, became a fifth victim for Davies behind the stumps, a ball from Barnard glancing the bat as the South African tried to pull it clear.Back for another spell after his chastening experience earlier, Gilchrist then obtained the smallest modicum of revenge by bowling Patterson-White, and Barnard picked up his third wicket by bowling Brett Hutton.Gilchrist was the bowler as Mohammad Abbas nicked to Davies, leaving Warwickshire, 116 behind, to face four overs before the close, in which they lost both Yates and Davies leg before to Abbas as the Pakistan international delivered a final flourish to Nottinghamshire’s day, Hutton getting in on the act by having nightwatcher Bamber caught at second slip.

The lasting consequences of a "disastrous property business" has left former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan on the brink of bankruptcy, having become embroiled in a legal battle with his brother, Sean, in 2016. Finnan, a Champions League winner with Liverpool in 2005, sued his sibling but never saw any money and has since been liable for other legal costs and bills that have not been paid.

Finnan sues own brother

The lasting consequences of a "disastrous property business" has left former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan on the brink of bankruptcy, having become embroiled in a legal battle with his brother, Sean, in 2016. Finnan sued his sibling but never saw any money and has since been liable for legal costs and bills that have not been paid.

After winding down a playing career that 684 appearances for club and country – including spells at Fulham, Espanyol and Portsmouth either side of five years at Anfield, Finnan went into business with his brother. But their property venture failed and the 49-year-old is reported by to have sued Sean some time around 2016 after becoming "concerned about the way the business was being run". That eventually resulted in a High Court settlement awarding the ex-footballer £4 million ($5.3m) in 2018, but Finnan's brother was declared bankrupt a year later without paying up.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSeries of legal battles

That was only the start of things, with Finnan going to court multiple times since. The ex-Republic of Ireland international, who played at the 2002 World Cup, launched a £6m ($7.9m) negligence claim against law firm Charles Russell Speechlys, which failed. He subsequently took action against an individual lawyer from the firm over alleged contempt of court. Finnan lost and was lumped with a five-figure bill for the costs. He did not pay and is the subject of a bankruptcy petition at Central London County Court. The former footballer lost another battle when he disputed bills with another firm, Candey, that took over his case and was ordered to pay £120,000 ($158,000).

Then, a recent trip to the High Court in an effort to appeal aspects of the aforementioned bankruptcy case resulted in a judge telling Finnan that he was simply employing "delaying" tactics. When the bankruptcy petition was transferred to Central London County Court, Finnan had appealed and managed to get the September date for the final hearing cancelled. He argued that complexity warrants a High Court setting, as well as claiming "bias" against him by the judge.

Finnan's legal challenge have 'no substance'

When Finnan's appeal against the bankruptcy petition – relating to a costs order less than £50,000 ($66,000) – was refused, Mr Justice Mellor said: "Standing back, it is surprising that Mr Finnan has challenged this directions order… his complaints are largely procedural and have no substance.

"I refuse permission to appeal and I dismiss the appeal. I also certify this appeal is totally without merit. It was, at all times, completely hopeless. The petition will have to be the subject of further directions. I think they're best given by a judge in the insolvency list."

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Getty Images SportNo further court date set

As it stands, there is no date for the bankruptcy case to return to court. As it stands, there is no date for the bankruptcy case to return to court. It's a temporary victory for Finnan, although given the outcome of his appeal and the judge's comments, it can only be a matter of time before he has to face the consequences.

Finnan's final game in professional football was for Portsmouth in the 2010 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. He was believed at one stage to have embarked on obtaining coaching badges, but sought to make his income post-football in property instead and has never held a formal coaching role. In 2020, fans discovered that Finnan had listed many items of his personal memorabilia for auction, including his Champions League medal from 2005, as well as a replica Champions League trophy and signed shirts. His financial troubles may explain why he made that decision to try and cash in.

With the January transfer window only a few weeks away, Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl will already be thinking about the positions that he wants to strengthen in.

There are several areas of the squad that could do with improvement ahead of the second half of the season, given that the Gers are nine points adrift of first place, and attacking midfielder is one of those positions.

Thelo Aasgaard was brought in from Luton in the summer transfer window, as one of 12 arrivals, and the number ten has failed to deliver regular quality on the pitch, with as many red cards (one) as goals (one).

The Norway international has produced one goal and one assist in 22 appearances, per Transfermarkt for Rangers, and his assist was a simple pass to Djeidi Gassama, who raced forward and scored from distance against Dundee.

Rangers told to sign Championship star in January

Now, the Light Blues have been predicted to make a move to re-sign one of their former players, who would arrive at Ibrox as an upgrade on Aasgaard.

Transfer Focus

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

Speaking on Clyde Superscoreboard, as relayed by The Scottish Sun, Livingston first-team coach Marvin Bartley has tipped Rangers to bring Joe Aribo back to the club in the January transfer window.

When asked about a possible deal, Bartley said: “I think that is one that could happen.”

“When a player enjoys somewhere, and obviously he had to leave because it was a really good offer that he got down the road, and he has not played as much football as he wanted to play. He is still a really, really good footballer and did well for Rangers. I wouldn’t be massively shocked if he came back in January.”

The Scottish Sun explains that Aribo is reportedly set to leave Southampton, whom he joined from Rangers for £10m in 2022, and could be available for a fee of £1.5m, amid interest from teams in Turkey.

Why Rangers should bring Joe Aribo back to Ibrox

For a fee of £1.5m, a deal to bring the Nigeria international back to Ibrox seems like a no-brainer on paper, because he still has plenty left to give at the age of 29 and has already proven himself in a Rangers shirt.

Plenty of players, most recently Steven Davis, Leon Balogun, and Allan McGregor, have returned for second spells in Glasgow, so it is not out of the ordinary for the club to re-sign one of their former stars.

Aribo’s current availability, as he has not started a league game for Southampton this season, provides the Light Blues with the perfect chance to bring him back for a fraction of the fee they raked in for him in 2022.

The left-footed star is a proven performer in Scottish football. During his time at Ibrox, the 29-year-old midfielder scored 26 goals and provided 25 assists in 149 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

This shows that the £70k-per-week ace offered a regular threat at the top end of the pitch as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the Ibrox giants, whilst playing as a central midfielder, as an attacking midfielder, or on the right wing.

21/22

8

6

20/21

7

4

19/20

3

8

Total

18

18

As you can see in the table above, Aribo was as impressive at scoring goals as he was at creating them in the Premiership during his three season stint in Glasgow, which shows that he knows how to deliver quality in the top-flight.

Aasgaard, however, has failed to show that he has what it takes to be a consistent and reliable performer for Rangers in any competition, let alone the Premiership, which is why Rohl should be looking for an upgrade on him in January.

Aribo, who Ezri Konsa said has a “languid” style, has scored nine goals in 111 matches for Southampton to date, per Transfermarkt. He has not been as prolific as he was for the Gers, but 53 of those games came in the Premier League against high-quality opposition.

However, returning to the Premiership could reignite his career because it is a level that he is comfortable at and knows how to perform in, as evidenced by his time with the Gers before he moved to England.

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Therefore, Aribo could return to Ibrox as a big upgrade on Aasgaard in the number ten position as a player who can deliver goals and assists, to win crucial points for the team, on a regular basis, whilst the Norwegian has struggled on both fronts.

Newcastle United now hold strong interest in signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has received high praise from England manager Thomas Tuchel.

Alan Shearer recently spoke about just how happy he is Anderson has been able to kick on since leaving his boyhood club due to PSR issues, saying: “It was the best thing. Although it was tough for Newcastle and it wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for PSR.

“But it was the best thing that happened to him, to get out and play. He wasn’t going to get in Newcastle’s midfield. You’ve got to give him credit. He wouldn’t be far away now [from getting in Newcastle’s midfield], I agree with that.”

With the likes of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes to choose from, Eddie Howe has some quality midfielders at his disposal, but it will no doubt be frustrating to have lost their academy graduate, who has since gone on to attract attention from a number of Premier League clubs.

The likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been credited with an interest in the Whitley Bay-born midfielder, and reliable reporter John Percy has now dropped an update on his future at Forest…

Newcastle hold strong interest in signing Elliot Anderson

According to Percy, Newcastle now hold strong interest in signing Anderson, but would-be suitors will have to spend big to get a deal done, with the Tricky Trees looking to hold out for over £100m, including installments.

Sean Dyche’s side are unwilling to sanction a departure this winter under any circumstances, meaning a move will have to wait until next summer, at which point the central midfielder will be in high demand, with Man United also very keen.

The Telegraph report also relays comments from England boss Tuchel, who said: “Anderson is a key player for us at the moment,

“He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, that’s why he is with us and starting for us.

“He is an elite player with the right attitude and a lot of talent.”

The 23-year-old has emerged as an important player for the Three Lions as of late, recently putting in a solid display as Tuchel’s side cruised to a 2-0 victory against Serbia in their penultimate World Cup qualifier.

As such, while it will sting to shell out around £100m for a former youth player, Newcastle should definitely pursue Anderson next summer, particularly considering there are now doubts over Joelinton’s future…

Newcastle hold internal talks to sign Ederson amid Joelinton concerns

Newcastle now hold internal talks to sign Ederson amid Joelinton concerns

The Magpies are looking to upgrade their midfield, as there are now doubts over the Brazil international.

1

By
Dominic Lund

Nov 5, 2025

Newcastle United are masters at adapting and overcoming adversity. Hurdles have sprung up and sent Eddie Howe’s side tumbling in recent years, but each time the Magpies get themselves airborne once again.

They must prove this mentality remains intact, having struggled to make things click in the Premier League this season.

One ray of light through this up-and-down period has been Nick Woltemade, who has swerved a number of those hurdles to establish himself as one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe.

Could he be the Toon’s most talented player?

Why Nick Woltemade is thriving at Newcastle

Newcastle signed Woltemade from Stuttgart for a club-record £69m fee in August before Alexander Isak had completed his record-breaking move to Liverpool, signalling in all but confirmation the Swede’s looming departure.

With Yoane Wissa also brought in but sidelined before he could make his bow with a knee injury, Woltemade, 23, has assumed quite the heavy load.

But this hasn’t thwarted him.

The striker has scored six goals from his first 13 matches in black and white. Rangy and seemingly a throwback type of frontman, the German is endowed with much technical grace, with reporter Andy Sixsmith hailing him for “mesmerising” link-up ability.

Woltemade is surpassing expectations at number nine for Newcastle, and he is indeed playing like a man in a contest with Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali for the crown as the club’s best player.

But there’s an up-and-coming prospect who might be the cream of the crop, albeit one who requires work over the next few years.

Newcastle's bigger talent than Woltemade

Newcastle have transformed their first team in the four years under Howe’s wing, but PIF have quietly been assembling a youth force to be reckoned with down the line.

And, right at the top of this pack is Vakhtang Salia, who joined St. James’ Park from Dinamo Tbilisi this summer despite rival interest from European heavyweights such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Injury has kept the 18-year-old from featuring for the Toon yet, but he played 57 senior matches for his former Georgian side, scoring eight goals and supplying four assists.

Salia hasn’t quite worked out his best position at this nascent stage of his career, but that’s okay. He is fast and has the mark of a clinical player down the line, and in this, he could one day surpass Woltemade.

This is a bold claim to make, but the respective forwards are at wholly different points in their careers, and his “very high work-rate”, as has been said by Genk scout Mikha Gabechava, suggests he has the drive to match his talent with a tenacious approach.

Vakhtang Salia – Career Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Left winger

27

5

1

Centre-forward

12

2

1

Right winger

1

1

0

Attacking midfield

1

0

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

Because, after all, the Georgia U21 star has been described as “one of the best teenage prospects in the world” by journalist Graeme Bailey, and this without yet proving himself in a top division. The hype is very much real.

The sales of prospects like Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson mark a cautionary tale for the Tynesiders as they look to go from strength to strength once again. Salia’s signature must be held onto, and he must be allowed to develop into a polished Premier League star.

With the right work over the coming years, he could even prove to be a bigger talent than Woltemade.

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This Newcastle star is still performing for Eddie Howe’s side.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Nov 7, 2025

Leeds United have made an approach to sign Flamengo winger Gonzalo Plata, alongside two other Premier League clubs, and a January move could now be possible.

A lack of goals has been an issue for Leeds so far this season, having scored just ten Premier League goals, the joint-second lowest figure in the top flight, with Danny Murphy bemoaning their lack of quality attacking options back in September.

Murphy said: “I think the biggest problem for Burnley and Leeds is firepower. I agree with what we talked about earlier. I think all the newly promoted sides doing well is great for the Premier League.

“I’d like to see them all stay up, actually. But I don’t think it’ll be the case.

Since then, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has continued to struggle in front of goal, having found the back just once in nine league outings, although Daniel Farke will be glad Lukas Nmecha scored his first goal from open play at the weekend, albeit in a 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

As a result of that loss, the Whites are just one point above the relegation zone, sitting in 16th place, and it has been revealed they have now made an approach to sign a new forward ahead of the January transfer window.

Leeds make contact to sign Gonzalo Plata

According to journalist Fabricio Lopes (via Sport Witness), Leeds have now made contact to sign Flamengo winger Gonzalo Plata, and the Brazilian club could be willing to sanction a move in the January transfer window.

Indeed, Flamengo have become increasingly frustrated with Plata, given that he went to a nightclub before an important match, which means they will now be open to offers this winter, although there could be competition for his signature.

AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United have also made enquiries over a deal for the Flamengo star, who remains under contract until June 2029, putting his current employers in a strong negotiating position.

There may be some concerns over the 25-year-old’s off-field issues, but he certainly has plenty of ability, having been lauded as “exceptional” by scout Jacek Kulig earlier this year.

The Ecuadorian is established at international level, having scored eight goals in 45 appearances for his national side, while the versatile attacker, who is also capable of playing at centre-forward, has also chipped in with 17 goal contributions in 63 appearances for Flamengo.

Leeds may need a fresh injection of quality in attack if they are to avoid the drop, given that not a single one of their players has scored over two goals this season.

Leeds’ top scorers

Number of goals

Joe Rodon

2

Lukas Nmecha

2

Noah Okofor

2

Sean Longstaff

1

Brenden Aaronson

1

Anton Stach

1

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

1

That said, it would be a risk to sign Plata, given that the Ecuador international is unproven in the Premier League, and wasn’t exactly prolific in the 2025 Brazilian Serie A, netting four goals in 24 outings.

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Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson Nov 10, 2025