Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has praised new Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, as the Spaniard prepares for a massive 2025-26 campaign with Los Blancos.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Xabi Alonso signs on as Real Madrid bossBarca boss Hansi Flick praises the SpaniardWarns that he knows Alonso's tactical setupFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Real Madrid parted ways with Carlo Ancelotti this summer after the Italian led Los Blancos to a disappointing trophyless season. The 15-time European champions decided to sign Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso as head coach as they look to go back to the top of the sport, starting with the Club World Cup this summer.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Barcelona boss Flick led the Catalan side to three domestic titles and also four straight wins against Real Madrid, but has praised Alonso and the way he sets up his team. However, he also warned the Spaniard that he knows his tactics.
Getty Images SportWHAT FLICK SAID
Asked about Alonso's appointment, Flick said: "It was not a surprise, huh? I also spoke with him when he worked in Leverkusen. I spoke many times with him. I like him. I know his philosophy. It's good to see his success in Germany on a really high level with a team, Leverkusen. Also the players improve a lot under his management. I like to see him here. I am happy to see him here."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?
Fans will get their first taste of how Real Madrid may be set to play next season when Los Blancos take on the challenges of the Club World Cup next month.
O Palmeiras está juntando os cacos após a eliminação para o São Paulo na Copa do Brasil, mas já está olhando para frente pensando no Brasileirão. É esse o objetivo de Piquerez, titular absoluto de Abel Ferreira, que está próximo de completar 50 jogos pelo clube e quer comemorar essa marca com uma vitória sobre o Cuiabá e a liderança.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras treina finalizações e segue preparação para enfrentar o Cuiabá; veja provável timePalmeiras17/07/2022Copa do BrasilCBF divulga análise do VAR de Palmeiras x São Paulo e indica erro ao ignorar possÃvel impedimentoCopa do Brasil16/07/2022PalmeirasPerto dos 200 jogos pelo Palmeiras, Veiga segue sendo o jogador mais decisivo do time no anoPalmeiras16/07/2022
GALERIA > Confira os públicos do Palmeiras no Allianz Parque em 2022
TABELA > Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão-2022 clicando aqui
> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!
Contratado há um ano, o uruguaio conquistou três tÃtulos (Libertadores, Recopa e Paulistão) e marcou seu primeiro gol pelo Verdão na última quinta-feira. Foram 49 partidas desde então, ficando próximo de marca significativa, caso entre em campo nesta segunda, à s 20h, no Allianz Parque, pela 17ª rodada do Brasileirão.
Em entrevista para a TV oficial do clube. ele elogiou a torcida alviverde, que já adquiriu mais de 36 mil ingressos para a partida e deve mais uma vez lotar o estádio palmeirense para empurrar o time.
Former West Brom boss Tony Pulis has revealed how close his old side came to signing Virgil van Dijk before he eventually joined Liverpool.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Van Dijk one of world's best defenders
Could have joined West Brom before Liverpool
Pulis tells tale of the Baggies' interest
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
WHAT HAPPENED?
Pulis has revealed how West Brom enquired about the young centre-back back when he was in charge at The Hawthorns. The ex-Baggies manager, who was at West Brom between 2015-17, claims they were "very close" to signing the Dutchman but didn't pursue him further as the Baggies were happy with their defensive options.
Advertisement
AFP
WHAT PULIS SAID
He told OLBG: "How close were we to signing Virgil van Dijk? Very close. I think we inquired about him and everything else, but we had some really, really good centre-halves there as well. Jonas Olsson, Gareth McAuley was fantastic, Jonny Evans, Craig Dawson, people of that ilk were very, very good for us at that level. But yeah, we did fancy Virgil."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
When Pulis took over at West Brom, interest was building in then-Celtic star Van Dijk, who went on to sign for Southampton in 2015. A few years later, the 6ft 4in player joined Liverpool for around £75 million ($100m), and since then he has become one of the best defenders of his generation. Ergo, it may have been a case of what might have been for West Brom.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFP
WHAT NEXT?
Van Dijk, now 33, will likely lead Liverpool – who have just won another Premier League title – against Arsenal on Sunday.
Everything you need to know about Brian Brobbey's salary details playing for Ajax
Amsterdam-born Brian Brobbey rose through the ranks at Ajax during his youth career, progressing through Jong Ajax before making it into the first team.
He later moved to RB Leipzig in Germany ahead of the 2021-22 season, a move that ultimately didn’t work out as expected for the young striker. He returned to his hometown club on loan, and after impressing with a flurry of goals and strong performances, Ajax permanently signed him in 2022 on a five-year contract.
Now the focal point of Ajax’s attack, Brobbey is well-compensated for his efforts. He currently ranks among the highest-paid players at both the club and in the Eredivisie.
So how much does the Netherlands international actually earn?
GOAL delved into the numbers with Capology and found out!
*
Brian Brobbey's wages at Ajax in numbers
Brian Brobbey is under a five-year contract with Ajax until 2027, earning a weekly salary of €57,692 and an annual salary of €3 million. He is the third-highest paid player at Ajax and ranks fourth in the league overall.
Player
Nationality
Weekly wages in Euros
Annual wages in Euros
Brian Brobbey
Dutch
€57,692
€3,000,000
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTop earners at Ajax
Jordan Henderson, a former Liverpool player, is the highest-paid player at Ajax. Daniele Rugani, an Italian center-back on loan from Juventus, is second. Brian Brobbey ranks third, while Steven Berghuis and Croatian Josip Sutalo are fourth and fifth, respectively.
Player
Nationality
Weekly wages in Euros
Annual wages in Euros
Jordan Henderson
English
€90,000
€4,680,000
Daniele Rugani
Italian
€75,385
€3,920,000
Brian Brobbey
Dutch
€57,692
€3,000,000
Steven Berghuis
Dutch
€56,731
€2,950,000
Josip Sutalo
Croatian
€48,077
€2,500,000
Top earners in Eredivisie
Jordan Henderson is the highest-paid player at Ajax and in the Eredivisie, with Sergino Dest from PSV following. Daniele Rugani ranks third, while Brian Brobbey and Steven Berghuis are fourth and fifth.
Player
Club
Weekly wages in Euros
Annual wages in Euros
Jordan Henderson
Ajax
€90,000
€4,680,000
Sergino Dest
PSV
€75,385
€3,920,000
Daniele Rugani
Ajax
€75,385
€3,920,000
Brian Brobbey
Ajax
€57,692
€3,000,000
Steven Berghuis
Ajax
€56,731
€2,950,000
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFPHighest paid players in the world
The salaries of Eredivisie players are significant but are lower compared to top global football players, with none making the top list.
The top five earners are from the Saudi Pro League, led by Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr with the highest salary.
Karim Benzema, formerly of Real Madrid, is second, followed by Riyad Mahrez, previously with Manchester City and now at Al-Ahli, in third.
Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly, both from Senegal, are in fourth and fifth places, respectively.
Once again turning their attention towards future stars, Chelsea have reportedly set their sights on signing another Premier League gem alongside Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho this month.
Chelsea transfer news
A side building for years to come, a young Chelsea squad are beginning to fall away from their early season form as defeat at the hands of struggling champions Manchester City exposed for all to see.
Despite taking the lead within the first three minutes through Noni Madueke, who took full advantage of Abdukodir Khusanov’s nightmare start in a Man City shirt, Chelsea eventually found themselves on the end of a 3-1 defeat with another Robert Sanchez mistake at the heart of proceedings.
Such a defeat won’t stand in the way of Chelsea’s transfer plans this month, however, with Garnacho the name threatening to steal the headlines. Out of favour at Manchester United, a swap deal between himself and Christopher Nkunku has reportedly been discussed, which would see the Blues kill two birds with one stone.
It’s then at Stamford Bridge that Garnacho could be joined by another young Premier League talent. According to reports in Spain, Chelsea now want to sign Jermy Monga from Leicester City in another move with the future in mind.
Not just Sanchez: Maresca must now drop 4/10 Chelsea star who got 'bullied'
Chelsea were poor defensively against Man City
ByJoe Nuttall Jan 25, 2025
Still just 15 years old, Monga is quite the prospect and perhaps the future of Chelsea’s attack should they get their deal over the line. Appearing for Leicester’s U18s this season – scoring once and assisting three times in four appearances – the teenager is ahead of schedule in his development and seemingly destined for the top.
In one swoop, Chelsea could land two wingers capable of playing a part for years to come at Stamford Bridge with Monga eventually joining what would be a Garnacho at the peak of his powers when he’s ready for senior football on a consistent basis.
Monga is one to watch
Throughout Premier League history, Stamford Bridge has been the place to be for young players. Whether it’s been John Terry, Frank Lampard or now Cole Palmer, all made the switch to join up with the West London club at a young age before stealing the show in their own rights. Now, Monga could follow that same path from Leicester to Chelsea glory.
Cole Palmer
The young winger is certainly one to watch given his current trajectory and when the time comes, he’ll have quite the decision to make regarding his future. There’s undoubtedly space in Chelsea’s youth side for a starring winger these days too following the exit of Rio Ngumoha to Liverpool last summer.
By signing Monga, those at Stamford Bridge could be instantly making up for Ngumoha’s exit, which looks likely to become their latest transfer regret as he continues to progress at Anfield.
Maintaining their transfer policy, Chelsea are gradually transforming into a side to be feared with several stars destined to have their say for years to come in the Premier League.
Mumbai allrounder was top wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy last season, apart from winning the Under-25 CK Nayudu Trophy
Deivarayan Muthu13-Sep-2022
File photo: “I’m working on how to bowl long spells with the same amount of revolutions” – Shams Mulani•ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Allrounder Shams Mulani had a bumper 2021-22 domestic season, starring with both ball and bat. Top wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy: check. Five half-centuries in nine innings: check. Winning the Under-25 CK Nayudu Trophy for Mumbai: check.In the 2022-23 season-opening Duleep Trophy, Mulani threatened to tick off another landmark – a maiden first-class hundred – but fell agonisingly short by three runs when he spliced a return catch to Bishworjit Konthoujam on the fourth afternoon in Chennai. But he isn’t resting on his laurels, and hopes to reprise his all-round efforts from last season.”I would’ve been happier if I would’ve gotten a hundred,” Mulani said after his team West Zone drew with North East Zone. “But it’s a learning process for me as well – as to how to play when you’re in the nineties – and this game was a good practice game for us because obviously they had a good bowling attack.Related
Shams Mulani and the art of better bowling through better recovery
Ranji Trophy 2021-22: Mulani bags another five-for, but is not done yet
Ajinkya Rahane eyes domestic season 'to start from zero again'
Prithvi Shaw 'back on track' with much-awaited hundred
“And just because the wicket wasn’t helping much doesn’t mean they didn’t bowl well. The batters came in and said: ‘They were on the money and they were bowling well’. Going into the season, it’s a good start, and hopefully this continues – the good form I have with bat and ball. I’ll try to repeat what I did last year.”Mulani wheeled away for 26 overs with the ball but managed only one wicket on an atypical Chepauk track that didn’t provide any assistance to spin. Mulani’s latest outing with the ball amid scorching heat was a bit of a throwback to his gut-busting 48-over shift against Tamil Nadu at the same venue in January 2020.After contributing 87 with the bat, Mulani had toiled away with the ball at the time, taking four wickets – including that of R Ashwin for 79. With a full-fledged home-and-away Ranji season now coming up, he is prepared to bowl similarly long spells and do the job for his team.File photo: Shams Mulani fell for 97 in the Duleep Trophy opener this season•K Sivaraman
“Last season was phenomenal for me. But that’s in the past now, and I want to take a fresh start because the wickets are going to be different and I need to bowl on tough tracks where the ball isn’t spinning that much and not doing much,” Mulani said.”I need to chip in with the wickets [on those pitches] as well. Yes, last season was very good for me and everyone was saying, ‘Wow, well done!’, but I’m not looking forward to the new season [in terms of wickets only]. Going forward, I’m working on my bowling – on how to bowl long spells with the same amount of revolutions. Let’s see if that comes off.”Bowling with the Kookaburra ball made life difficult for bowlers in the first round of the Duleep Trophy – both in Chennai and Puducherry. The ball seamed around sharply in the early exchanges, but got softer soon after and favoured the batters. Mulani, who was operating with the Kookaburra ball for the first time, conceded that he found it tough to grip the ball.”I think it’s my first time playing with the Kookaburra ball, and I had a similar experience to what he [North-East spinner Ankur Malik] had,” Mulani said. “After 20-25 overs, the seam goes away – it’s not like the SG ball – and there was not much help from the wicket. It’s quite difficult to grip as well and try to bowl in good areas with good amount of revolutions.”I think we need to get used to it, going into the semi-finals and final. It was a good learning process of how I need to bowl and at what pace I need to bowl with the Kookaburra ball because it’s a bit different.”Mulani has also had some exposure outside of Mumbai’s cricketing circles. Last year, he had captained Mumbai on a white-ball tour of Oman, and had emerged as the team’s second-highest wicket-taker there with nine strikes in seven matches at an excellent economy rate of 4.78.More recently, ahead of the Indian domestic season, Mulani was part of the Mumbai Indians contingent – which also included the likes of Dewald Brevis and Tilak Varma – for their UK tour.”Oh, it was amazing,” Mulani said of his experience with the IPL franchise. “Different conditions, different wickets that offered more bounce. I needed to get used to what length I needed to bowl on that track. It was a very good experience, and we enjoyed it a lot.”West Zone will next play Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-final in Coimbatore, which also recently hosted the 20-overs Tamil Nadu Premier League final in July.
Chelsea are believed to be targeting another Man United star alongside their interest in Kobbie Mainoo, with two players in Enzo Maresca’s squad heading towards the exit door.
Chelsea approach Kobbie Mainoo's agents over transfer
In the last week, credible media sources revealed Chelsea’s serious interest in signing Mainoo, who is currently in the midst of a contract debacle, as the England international sets his sights on improved terms.
Chelsea "in talks" for first 2025 signing in versatile £30 million forward
The west Londoners have entered negotiations.
ByEmilio Galantini Jan 17, 2025
The 19-year-old rising star is on just £20,000-per-week at United, which hardly reflects his status as a Three Lions midfielder and crucial player to Ruben Amorim, but rumoured PSR concerns are stalling an agreement over a new contract for Mainoo.
As a result of this, it is reliably believed that Chelsea have approached Mainoo’s agents in an attempt to lure him, as reported by journalist and Stamford Bridge insider Simon Phillips on his Substack.
Chelsea’s next Premier League fixtures
Date
Wolverhampton Wanderers (home)
January 20
Man City (away)
January 25
West Ham (away)
February 3
Brighton (away)
February 14
Aston Villa (away)
February 22
“Chelsea also still want to bring in a new midfielder this window on request of Enzo Maresca,” wrote Phillips earlier this week.
“However, that does not need to be a new midfielder, and there are still chances that either Lesley Ugochukwu or Andrey Santos could be recalled, SPTC sources have heard again yesterday.
“There’s a chance Santos is recalled too by the way, something that we were not expecting to happen at all, until now, potentially.
“Chelsea have tried to turn the head of Kobbie Mainoo at Manchester United by approaching his agents, and this one is still potentially one that could happen this month, if the player decides he is keen on the move.”
While this is far from advanced, it appears Chelsea are seriously pursuing Mainoo, but he isn’t the only Red Devils sensation on their radar.
Chelsea target Alejandro Garnacho with Disasi and Nkunku set to leave
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, exciting United winger Alejandro Garnacho has emerged as a target for Maresca.
The Argentine is attracting reported interest from Antonio Conte’s Napoli, who appear to have set their sights on him as a potential replacement for the PSG-bound Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
However, Conte now faces competition from his former club. Chelsea are targeting Garnacho and have “launched” an operation over his potential signing, according to L’Équipe, who also provided an update on the futures of Christopher Nkunku and Axel Disasi.
The £275,000-per-week duo are apparently set to depart west London before deadline day on February 3, with Maresca’s squad facing a serious overhaul in the latter stage of this transfer window.
Going back to Garnacho, the 20-year-old has bagged eight goals and five assists in 31 appearances so far this campaign, putting in some exceptional displays, and he fits the mould of a young, exciting player that BlueCo has repeatedly targeted since Chelsea’s takeover.
Garnacho is also highly versatile, capable of playing anywhere across the attack – including the left-hand side, right-hand side, through the middle as a central attacking midfielder and even as a second striker. However, he won’t come cheap, as some reports suggest the South American could cost £70 million.
Manchester United are expected to be busy in January, and now a fresh report has claimed that one of their highest earners could be departing the club alongside academy star Marcus Rashford before the end of the month.
Marcus Rashford set for exit
It appears highly unlikely that Rashford will still be a member of Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United squad come the end of the transfer window, with an Old Trafford exit highly-anticipated for the Premier League star.
The 27-year-old netted the first goal of Ruben Amorim’s reign, but following comments about being open to a departure he has not featured for the club in almost a month, with his last appearance coming against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
Manchester United's MarcusRashfordwarms up as a substitute during the match
As per Sky Sports, the Red Devils are ready to let him leave this January but are “leaning towards” a straight loan move in order to try and raise his price tag ahead of a summer sale. His brother and agent has been in Milan in recent days discussing a potential move to Serie A, while there is also believed to be interest from across the Premier League, though it is stressed that “all options remain open”.
However, his hefty wages make a continued exile unlikely from a financial standpoint given Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s previous reported fury at the Red Devils wage bill, which he feels is well beyond what is should be given the return on investment his side are receiving from those under massive contracts.
As a result, a re-integration or a departure seem likely, and with no signs of the former all signs currently point to a mid-season exit. Now, another player could be set to follow him out of the Old Trafford exit door.
Man Utd ace closer than ever to exit
That comes according to a report from Caught Offside, who report that Manchester United high-earner Casemiro is now “closer than ever” to a departure from Old Trafford this month amid strong interest from Saudi side Al-Nassr.
The Brazilian has fallen down the pecking order in Manchester since his arrival at the club two and a half years ago, a transfer which then Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag hailed as “magnificent”.
Man Utd make new approach for £30k-p/w Brazilian INEOS wanted before Ugarte
He could be Manchester United’s answer in midfield.
ByBen Browning Jan 10, 2025
He has started just three Premier League games under Ruben Amorim, and has been an unused substitute on a further five occasions as the new Manchester United boss searches for a winning formula.
Taking home a massive £350,000 a week at the Theatre of Dreams, Manchester United will be keen to move him off if he is not a regular starter, and to that end his availability has reportedly caught the eye of Al-Nassr, where former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo currently plies his trade.
Appearances
22
Starts
16
Tackles and interceptions per 90
5.05
Pass Accuracy
79.3%
Errors leading to a shot
3
As per the report, Amorim “is poised to allow Casemiro to leave Man United in this window” and Al Nassr are “believed to be pushing to get a deal over the line this winter”, with the Saudi side “prioritising” a move for the decorated Brazilian.
For his part, Casemiro “is ready to seriously consider an offer” should it arrive, in what is likely to be the only opportunity to continue earning anything like what he is currently paid at Old Trafford. For the Red Devils, shifting one or more of their highest earners this winter may be considered a huge success.
Kylian Mbappe has matched the goal tally set by Cristiano Ronaldo in his debut season at Real Madrid by netting his 33rd strike of the campaign.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Ronaldo scored 33 in debut season
Mbappe matches that tally
Scored twice against Leganes in 3-2 win
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
WHAT HAPPENED?
The France international netted a brace against Leganes as Madrid won 3-2 on Saturday evening. Los Blancos remain in second place in La Liga but are now level on points with Barcelona and, in the process of netting his double, Mbappe has matched the haul Ronaldo reached in his first campaign at the club.
Advertisement
Getty Images
THE BIGGER PICTURE
After moving to Madrid from Manchester United, Ronaldo scored 33 goals throughout the campaign and Mbappe is already level with that tally. The former PSG superstar, though, will have to go some to match the Portugal international's highest-scoring season; in 2014-15, Ronaldo netted 61 goals in all competitions.
Mbappe is now just four goals away from matching Ivan Zamorano's record for the best debut season in Madrid history, having scored 37 in 1992-93.
WHAT MBAPPE SAID
Mbappe told reporters on matching his idol's record: "Very special. I'm sure the most important thing is the things you do with the team, but scoring the same number of goals as Cristiano is always good. We know what he means to Real Madrid and to me. He gives me a lot of advice; he's scored a lot of goals, but we have to win titles here."
DID YOU KNOW?
Mbappe is the leading goalscorer in La Liga for the entirety of 2025, having netted 12 times. His closest rival, Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona, has scored seven.
Just like that, a single result has put a screeching halt to the momentum Arsenal were starting to build over the last two weeks.
Mikel Arteta’s side followed their win at home to Manchester United on Wednesday night with a seriously disappointing draw away to Fulham on Sunday.
However, with a Champions League home tie to win against AS Monaco tonight, there is no more time to think about what could’ve been, although they have received a timely boost concerning when Folarin Balogun who sadly won’t be returning to London with the Principality club.
Balogun's Arsenal return in ruins
If Balogun was fit to face the Gunners then it’s likely he would have been looking to prove that Arsenal made a mistake in selling him for £34m last summer, and based on his form for the Ligue 1 side, he might have a point.
In his first season on the French Riviera, the 23-year-old marksman scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 32 first-team appearances, meaning he maintained a rather impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.13 games.
Appearances
32
10
Goals
8
3
Assists
7
1
Goal Involvements per Match
0.46
0.40
This season has seen the New York-born dynamo maintain his great form in front of goal when injuries have allowed, and he has a tally of three goals and one assist to his name in just ten appearances, four of which have been off the bench.
Overall, while Arsenal clearly didn’t view him as good enough to lead the line, Balogun has been putting in some impressive performances for Monaco in the season and a bit since.
Unfortunately for tonight’s visitors, he has not travelled with the squad owing to a shoulder problem that kept him out of Monaco’s clash with Toulouse a few days ago.
Balogun had recovered from a dislocated shoulder but has now suffered a setback. As a result, this is particularly good news for a certain Arsenal defender…
Great news for Saliba & Arteta
Arsenal are facing something of a defensive injury crisis ahead of this evening with the likes of Gabriel, Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori all not spotted in training on Tuesday. Thus, the fact that Monaco will be missing their leading marksman is only good news for William Saliba who will be without some of his partners in crime.
While the Gunners dropped points a matter of days ago, the club still have a great chance of avoiding the Champions League playoffs in the new year, and that task has now been made a great deal easier by Balogun’s absence this evening.
Given Saliba is in brilliant form at the moment and is undoubtedly the club’s best defender, the 6 foot 4 star likely would have no issue bullying the 5 foot 10 Balogun out of the game even if he was fit.
Indeed, the “special defender,” as dubbed by Fabrizio Romano, was one of the few players who could come out of Sunday with his head held high, earning an 8/10 match rating from the Standard’s Simon Collings, who wrote that he ‘did not put a foot wrong.’
Then, against United, he scored again, helped to keep a clean sheet and received another 8/10 from Collings, who praised the 23-year-old for being ‘so composed on the ball’ and utterly ‘dominant’ throughout the encounter.
Lastly, while the Monaco man is a dangerous forward, nobody would suggest he’s more of a threat than Viktor Gyokeres, and when the Gunners’ “world-class” number two, as dubbed by Romano, came up against him last month, he failed to score or provide an assist.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s season is in a precarious place at the moment, and with Monaco’s American superstar out, it gives them a great chance of getting things back on track. After all, only two players in the whole squad have scored more than him for the Ligue 1 side; wingers Eliesse Ben Seghir (five goals) and Maghnes Akliouche (four goals).
Despite all of those injuries, perhaps Saliba’s evening might be a great deal easier than he was anticipating…
Arsenal want to sign "blistering" £57m star who's like a right-footed Saka
The incredible forward would be the perfect addition to Arsenal’s attack.